Greek Vikings in a Swedish Kingswood

<p>Hi Everyone</p><p></p><p>Viv and I are doing the Mystery box rally.</p><p></p><p>Its been 10 years since Viv was diagnosed with breast cancer and we (ok maybe just me) couldn't think of a better way to celebrate life 10 years after the diagnosis than by participating in the mystery box rally and driving a 25 year old car through the bush!</p><p></p><p>Photo below is me picking the car up from the Paterson Hotel near Dungog last Saturday 2/2/2020. $600 who knows what problems we will uncover but upon inspection it needed a good bath, general service and tune, front suspension, hole in the exhaust, PCV system service, battery, air con gas (maybe more), heater core, probably some tyres and that is just my observations before I get it to a mechanic!</p><p></p><p>Still it managed to get from Paterson to Sydney without overheating on a 44 degree day!</p><p></p><p>It's heading to the mechanic on Monday for a full assessment before we start the 'healing process'.</p><p></p><p>In August Viv and I will be starting in Rockhampton and taking part in the Mystery Box Rally. First challenge will be to get the car the 25 yr old Volvo 850 GLT to Rockhampton! </p><p></p><p>The conditions are a 2WD car that is over 25yrs old,l start and Rockhampton and enter a 4 day rally (destination advised on the morning of each day!) that finishes in Rockhampton!</p><p></p><p>We are trying to raise the minimum of $3,500 which is a condition of entering the rally but hoping to raise $5,000 which will go towards cancer support and research.</p><p></p><p>You can donate, participate in a corporate sponsorship or just send your message of support and spread the word.</p><p></p><p>I will keep you informed of the progress with the car and fundraising along the way.</p><p></p><p>A big thanks to my mate Rhyan who drove me up to Dungog to pick up this $#itbox! I would still be looking a round for one otherwise.</p><p></p><p>A shout out to Andrew Jones (Jonesy) one of Australia's biggest socceroo fans who recently passed away from cancer.</p><p></p><p>Looking forward to this awesome journey!</p><p></p><p>Cheers,</p><p>Ang & Viv</p><p></p><p>PS - Photo below is me collecting the car from the owners granddaughter at the Paterson hotel! At 44 degrees the beers at the pub were some welcome relief before heading back to Sydney!</p>

Time to get the wheels rolling.......

Nice work AV

Keep those wheels in motion!

Good luck guys. Push the pedal to the metal and f&@k cancer! Love DMJS

Have a great time out there AV and Viv, be safe! Christian

Great work Gweek

Good luck guys!

<p>Hi Everyone</p><p></p><p>Thanks to everyone for their donations and getting us off to a great start with the fundraising.</p><p></p><p>A couple of updates this week.</p><p></p><p>Most importantly a name change. After buying a Volvo we decided that we couldnt really stick with the name 'Trashy Taxi'. So we have changed it to something more appropriate being 'Greek Vikings in a Swedish Kingswood'. </p><p></p><p>The inspiration for 'Swedish Kingswood' coming from the Flute and the Salami in recognition of Volvo being as popular as the Holden Kingswood was in Australia!</p><p></p><p>The car has also been to MH Autocare in Hornsby (European car specialist) who undertook an assessment of the Volvo. Turns out that its not so bad and apart from the things I have identified already it should be capable of getting us through the rally and back to Sydney without requiring any major work.</p><p></p><p>Next few weeks will be undertaking some TLC to the Volvo and then start thinking about some decorations.</p><p></p><p>With the name change there is a new link to our fundraising page. For those who have donated already your donations automatically transfer over for anyone else there is a new link.</p><p></p><p>Hopefully this weekend is drier than the last one.</p><p></p><p>For anyone interested in participating in a company sponsorship please get in contact with me or Viv and we can give you the details. </p><p></p><p>Cheers,</p><p>Ang & Viv</p>

Greek + Swedish + Kingswood is a formula for fun. Enjoy the adventure! Adrian and Raelee

Well done Viv & Angelo. Look forward to following your rally Love Phil, Soph, Scarlett & Isobel

Good luck V and A, love you both. Amy and Aaron.

What a journey. Hope the Sweedish Kingswood smashes it. All the best Trisha and Garry

Great work and cause Angelo and Viv, inspiration to us all.

Hope you have a fantastic journey for a great cause

I wish you the best!

From your Swedish supporters in Freshwater - have so much fun!!

Great work AV and Viv, safe travels and well done on a great fundraiser.

Well done Greek and Viv. Can I have your Volvo when you are finished?

Donation matching on behalf of Phil Naylor

Have fun Guys and good luck

Good luck - and enjoy getting out of the house! Jim & Suze

Guys, what an adventure you'll have! Good for you and best of luck. Be safe

<p>Hi Everyone</p><p></p><p>As many of you know 2020 put a stop to the mystery box rally and it has been postponed until July 31 2021 so as long as there is no lockout of Australian Citizens to Queensland we should be going ahead.</p><p></p><p>What has this meant for the Greek Vikings in the Swedish Kingswood....</p><p></p><p>For starters the Swedish Kingswood has completed many more kms in the last year than expected as it became the daily driver. This has resulted in the need for some investment in mechanical repairs so that we can get to Rockhampton compete in the rally and get back to Sydney. The getting back to Sydney is optional for the Volvo!</p><p></p><p>So it was back to MH Autocare for some preventative maintenance and the start of the slippery slope of mechanical repairs on an old clunker which has included new tyres and brake pads, transmission fluid, spark plugs, oil & filter, drive belt and I spent a weekend changing many suspension components out.</p><p></p><p>There has also been an increase to the minimum amount of funds we need to raise which is now increased to $5,000 so we are back on the fundraising path again to reach this revised target and help raise money for cancer research.</p><p></p><p>A big thank you to two businesses who have sponsored us being John Bull Removals in Mona Vale (thanks to Brian and Marty) and also to Peter from Alliance Building Group in the ACT.</p><p></p><p>If anyone is interested in sponsoring our team please let me know. Given this is now my daily driver it gets good exposure and provides many laughs to the citizens of Sydney on my drive between Beacon Hill and Sydney Airport. </p><p></p><p>Keep your eye out for some upcoming fund raising events/competitions over the next few months.</p><p></p><p>For those who have already donated thank you.</p><p></p><p>Cheers,</p><p></p><p>Angelo & Vivien</p><p></p><p></p>

My darling cousins! Kick butt!! Μπράβο σας! You’re an inspiration

Good luck Viv and Ang - what a cool adventure! 🙌 Have fun! Take care ❤️ Love Clare, Matt, Oscar and Ben

Good Luck!

Great Cause - Have an awesome time!

Good luck Greek warriors. Cheers Flute

What an adventure - best of luck boys

You crazy kids, have fun🏆🏎 Love the Keebles

Can’t wait to see the photos, enjoy the ride you two as it’s been a long time coming

Will the Volvo even make it to Rockhampton? Have a great time in FNQ!

Good work Vlackas

Great cause koumbari! We hope you have a fantastic journey. Love from the Lals xxxxoooo

Well done kids! We’re with in spirit. Xx

<p>Hi Everyone</p><p></p><p>I am not sure who made this very generous donation anonymously but a $5,100 donation is amazing. We would love to find out who this is from to thank them. </p>

What a big day for the faithfull Volvo, logging commuting miles in full rally guise and now being set free into the outback! Good luck Ang.

<p>Interesting. Thank you</p>

I love you still drive the shit box… this has been a long time coming!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Enjoy the journey in the Volvo for this worthy cause. Love to both you and Viv. Eve & Andrew x

Our beautiful friends Congrats on raising awareness on something that has touched you both personally. What you went through touched us too. Wishing you all the best - have a blast

Ohh how I wish I could be in that car with you. If anyone can do this in style you guys can. I hope the cassette deck works!

Angelo my friend….love the Team name and there is no danger of you being on the stripper pole with the Volvo…..a real P.of.S. Having done a few of these rallies I know you are going to have a blast and learn bush mechanic skills you never thought possible. Great cause, great people, great memories !!! Burn some rubber!

Dear pedakia, Have an amazing & safe journey. I think we can confidently say you won’t be booked for speeding in the beast :) Ta matia dekatesera kavyari mou. Mick & Liz xx

Good luck Vassos Fam! Hope you have a great adventure. With enormous support from the Massoud Fam

Good luck to the Greeks in the Swedish-mobile from the Lebs and the pomms. We are all proud of you! Remember, you can't chase inspiration unless it is in a green 80's Volvo sedan driven by a pair of nut-bag Greeks! Yiasou re!!

Good on you Vass.... Best move since your last quick tap...

Good luck Angelo - such a great cause!

Go well Angelo! xx Monica

Good luck Ang and Viv!!!

Good cause AV! Proud of ya👍

Great cause guys & long live the ovlov

We are all proud of you guys!!!! Great cause, have a great time on the adventure!

Sounds like brilliant fun! All the very best to the Greek Vikings! Every bit helps... Cheers, Linda

good works mate....