Probably Australia's perfect backpacker vehicle, we just did a drive from South-East Queensland to Perth, about 4800 kms. The head had corroded away 2 weeks before the journey and the temp gauge failed to work (suspect the calibration needle behind dash, as only when it got really warmed up did it move to the lowest part of the N (normal).

After about 2000kms she started using 1 litre oil in 600 kms so into the autoparts place in Port Augusta for Redex Oil Treatment. Back then to almost normal (1 litre/1000kms), then coming down Swan Valley to Perth the gearbox started to smoke, and on cold starts was slipping a little and leaking oil. Another auto transmission treatment oil today and it appeared to right itself.

And this car did 8 2000kms journeys (Brisbane - Sydney and back) in the previous two years!!!

She's a little rust around the rear, but apart from that I am afraid to sell it for fear of not having similar success with a later model.

Anyone else experienced incredible brick experiences like this. They just seem to go and go and go.