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Tempting Fate Tours

@temptingfatetours.bsky.social

187 followers 170 following 379 posts

Road trips. In odd, unexpected cars of dubious reliability, usually decades old, often British. They run at the start of the trip. What could possibly go wrong? YT: www.youtube.com/c/TemptingFateTou IG: www.instagram.com/temptingfatetours

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Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This is hilarious ... and we'd be there if we could!

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

And we thought WE tempted fate. Holy Amphibian! "The thought of 'driving' across oceans in a vehicle discontinued due to its inability to stay afloat was so implausible I needed to know more. What happened to the Carlins? Did the vehicle survive? What drives a person to chase such a suicidal idea?"

Hell and High Water: A Round-the-World Journey in a ’42 Ford GPA - Hagerty Media

The tale of a bedeviled man, the woman who loved him, a Ford GPA amphibian, and their 10-year expedition around the globe.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Well, the moment of truth came: We wanted to see if the engine ran. It did. But ... uhhhhh ... well, watch the video. Make sure the volume is on.

Got the Morris engine to run...OH NO! #morrisminor #convertible #abandonedcar #britishcars #oldcars

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

So, a little more on that abandoned Morris Minor Convertible we hauled into storage. It's dried out for a few weeks ... so we tackled some cleanup duties. Bleccchhhhhh.

Abandoned Minor: Now less disgusting! #morrisminor #convertible #abandonedcar #britishcars #oldcars

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Another adventure? Fate is clearly being tempted here.

Three vehicles seen from the rear. From R to L: Silver-blue 2012 Kia Sedona minivan, gold 1966 Alvis Graber, white 1991 Winnebago Warrior motorhome (Toyota based ) with period graphics in turquoise, in front of gray house. Trees behind the cars.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The crossword authors for 'The New Yorker' know.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

How far did Tom make it in the 1953 Lagonda 3-Litre? Well, not all the home from LA to New Hampshire. He explains in this video, the last of our Lagonda series. Later, it did make its way back to NH ... no video of that. It'll reappear in future. But what a great adventure it was! (5 of 5)

It's OVER! Why our 1955 Lagonda trip ended in Phoenix. #britishcars #astonmartin #oldcars #roadtrip

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

We made it from Seattle to Eugene (Tom) + then Eugene to LA (Tom + John). We had adventures en route. And the 1953 Lagonda got a LOT of attention. Then we took it to the Petersen Auto Museum's rooftop cars + coffee—1 of only 2 Brit cars there. Now, it's time for Tom to head on out... (Part 4 of 5)

Tom drives away into the LA sunset! #britishcars #roadtrip #astonmartin #losangeles #oldcars

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

This one's a summary of everything that happened AFTER we blew up the muffler. Turned out there was a *second* 4,000-ft pass (after the Siskiyou) our 70-year-old Lagonda had to conquer before reaching LA. Sorry for the crappy sound; we now have Lav mics—which we have to figure out. (Part 3 of 5)

Can 70-yr-old British car conquer snowy 4,300-ft pass? #britishcars #roadtrip #astonmartin #oldcars

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Our Lagonda trip progressed with a bang ... literally. Neither of us had ever had a muffler literally explode from a particularly powerful backfire. I mean, it was a 3-litre six and all but ... still. Hilarity ensued. (Part 2 of 5)

Exploding #muffler, manifold gaskets: Brit Car Gods smile on us! #roadtrip #britishcars #astonmartin

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

When we called this "our latest ill-advised road trip" ... we had no idea. First of 5 shorts about our attempt to drive Tom's splendid 1953 Lagonda 3-Litre from Seattle to LA, and then home to New Hampshire. He stopped to collect @johnvoelcker.bsky.social in Eugene, Oregon. Hilarity ensued.

"Our latest ill-advised road trip ..." #britishcars #roadtrip #astonmartin #lagonda

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

We're big fans of Junkyard Digs + their rescues (which always seem to involve rodent urine). And John always liked the lines of these early-'80s Imperials. While TFT has never done a complete barn-find-to-running-car video (time, cost), you could say we nibble at it around the edges between drives.

Waking Up A Barn Find 1980s Imperial | The Online Automotive Marketplace | Hemmings, The World's Largest Collector Car Marketplace

What does it take to wake up a barn find 1980s Imperial? A strong shop-vac, tons of soap, and a complete interior removal...

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

So WAS the engine free? Our last video (for now) on rescuing a derelict Morris Minor Convertible from a field. As usual, Tom is doing the work while John shoots + comments. P.S. The replacement ignition had no key number on it. So how DO we get a key ?? (after pumping 6-year-old gas out of a tank)

'People will get mad at us online' Did it start? #britishcar #morrisminor #abandonedcar #convertible

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Leno’s Law (CA Senate Bill 1392) passed the California Legislature on a bipartisan 49-4 vote. It's a major victory for some old-car owners. Vehicles before 1975 were exempt from smog checks; the new rule provides a narrow, phased-in pathway for qualifying collector vehicles built from 1976 to 1985.

Leno’s Law Passes California Legislature: Historic Smog Check Reform Heads to Governor's Desk | The Online Automotive Marketplace | Hemmings, The World's Largest Collector Car Marketplace

Leno’s Law (SB 1392) has passed the California Legislature. Find out how this landmark bipartisan bill could finally grant smog check exemptions to 1976–1985 collector cars.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Trying to post more, but time for earlier videos til we have more on the derelict Morris Convertible. So here's Scott with his 1991 Winnebago Warrior ... which will visit John in a couple of weeks so Scott has a bed for a car event. Stay tuned! (Ignore the thumbnail; YouTube effed it up, sorry.)

1991 Winnebago Warrior, Scott's vintage RV! #rv #rvlife #vintagetruck #winnebago #toyota #motorhome

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

"When things go wrong abroad, you've got 2 choices. One, sit on your backside + moan. Two, get off your backside + sort it out." Our friend Steph of I Drive A Classic (YouTube) + Paul had their driving vacation to France + Switzerland interrupted by an exploding clutch release bearing. Et voila!

England to Switzerland in a Morris Minor...do we make it?! 2000 mile road trip in a classic car

YouTube video by idriveaclassic

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

NEW !! You may recall we rescued a bedraggled Morris Minor convertible from a field in July. Here's the first attempt to get it to do something useful. We had some surprising moments ... (1 of 2) www.youtube.com/shorts/hvNtX...

Do lights even WORK after being outside 5 years? #britishcar #morrisminor #abandonedcar #convertible

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Everyone knows Tail of the Dragon, but The Snake (US-421 in TN) has 489 curves in 33 miles. After the first 30 secs, you'll feel what it's like (total: 2:09). BONUS: Hear how John found his 1991 Isuzu Impulse Wagonback. *Note: NSFW language* And our ridealong didn't lose it...but we did pull over.

He DIDN'T puke! But driven hard, The Snake can do that ... #roadtrip #oldcars #driving #japanesecars

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Reposted by Tempting Fate Tours

John Voelcker @johnvoelcker.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Sometimes stories just fall into your lap. I'd seen John Mullen's old trucks locally; he turned out to live nearby. We got to talking ... and it turned into a profile. What really makes this one is the spectacular photography by Dave Burnett. He + I + two other guys spent 9+ hours wrangling trucks.

His First GMC 2500 Gave This Truck Collector a Lifelong Quest - Hagerty Media

John Mullen’s first truck was a 1972 GMC 2500 Sierra Grande Camper Special. Now he has 8 1968-72 GM rigs—and counting—and he regularly uses all of them.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

They tempted fate. We bow in respect.

Route 66 in a New Yorker: Nine Days, Eight States, and Two Transmissions - Hagerty Media

When we learned about the trip that Markku Jaakkola and Jacob Gilbert had planned, we were envious. The two friends devised to set out from Detroit in a 1973 Chrysler New Yorker to drive the length of...

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

One that got away: John's 1964 Pontiac GTO convertible. Entirely rust-free California car, but the 4-bbl w/the weird 2-speed TurboHydro automatic. Owned 1978 to 1989, sold to a GTO shop that did a frame-off resto w/the hot setup: 4-speed + triple 2-bbls. Also bright red paint. Where is it today ??

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

So, ummm, uhhhh ... what seems to be a legit Insta account for James Glickenhaus just followed us. [FAINTS]

static.klipy.com

Garthwaynes: We're Not Worthy Praise

ALT: Garthwaynes: We're Not Worthy Praise

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Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Everyone knows Tail of the Dragon, but The Snake (TN Route 421) is Tail's big brother: 489 curves, 33 miles. Taking a dozen 35-year-old Japanese cars down it is a summer highlight every year. (We didn't do the whole length.) Geo Storm race car is ahead of me, with a load of Mustangs coming at us.

We drove The Snake: 33 miles, 489 curves. He DIDN'T barf! #roadtrip #driving #mustang #japanesecars

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Sometimes persistent car problems require ... extreme measures.

"WAIT! You're doing WHAT to my car to fix it ?!?!?" #carrepair #oldcars #fuelpump #roadtrip #isuzu

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Another weekend, another video! This one's on a car you've probably seen in the background of a few of our videos. It's the 2003 Mazda Protege 5 we're lucky enough to borrow in the SF Bay Area for adventures. Yeah, the clearcoat's failed, but with 78K original miles + '00s goodness, it's a blast.

Roached paint? We love this Mazda Protege 5 anyway #mazda #japanesecars #oldcars #hatchback #protégé

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Neat car, cool story, great article.

A Jazz Age Speedster, This 1922 Kissel Still Has The Power To Spellbind - The Online Automotive Marketplace - Hemmings, The World's Largest Collector Car Marketplace

Kissel's magnum opus, the Gold Bug, today evokes all that was new and exciting about the Roaring Twenties.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

And here's the promised Mustang video (can also be found on Insta). It was very, very foggy ... which is why everything looks grim + grey.

We meet MUSTANGS everywhere we go !! #mustang #ford #musclecar #highway1 #roadtrip #fordmustang

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

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Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

A very nice article, if a tad overwritten. Author Tyler Roland is 24 years old. Gives us hope for a new generation. The observation that social-media influencers ignore cars of this era + type is right on the money. Perhaps a very good thing.

It’s a Duesy…Or Is It? - The Online Automotive Marketplace - Hemmings, The World's Largest Collector Car Marketplace

Duesenbergs were the hypercars of their day. More teens and twenty-somethings ought to care about these prewar classics.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

We'll post a video tomorrow on this morning's drive along Hwy 1 down from San Francisco to Pescadero Beach. We seem to keep running into Mustangs on our drives lately. We took our trusty 2003 Mazda Protege 5, and figured red Japanese cars should stick together. That's Todd in #TeenyTinyFireTruck. 😁

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

We can't be the ONLY people in the world wondering if anyone has a Suzuki with the vanity plate 'KISSY' ... can we? Neither Google nor its AI has a single mention or image (DMV records are private + unsearchable). But KISSY wasn't available in half a dozen states we tried. Invalid character ??

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

We drive lots of different stuff here. Now Scott has added a vintage RV (!!) to our decrepit British cars, aging Japanese econoboxes + the occasional 95-year-old Model A woody wagon. This video introduces his 1991 Winnebago Warrior, built on a Toyota 1-ton chassis ... and its engine (*NOT* a 22RE).

1991 Winnebago Warrior, Scott's vintage RV! #rv #rvlife #vintagetruck #winnebago #toyota #motorhome

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

RHD in a LHD world? No problem! But it's the story of this car that's truly remarkable. One man's passion + an absolute bucket-ton of work. Wow.

A Right-Hand Drive Pontiac GTO in a Left-Handed World - The Online Automotive Marketplace - Hemmings, The World's Largest Collector Car Marketplace

A 1967 GTO that was converted to RHD in the Land Down Under. This Regimental Red Pontiac is piloted on the right-hand side of the dash.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Old-car guy realizes he's become an old car guy. Good piece on generational evolution of collector cars.

Between The Lines: Generational Rift Diving - The Online Automotive Marketplace - Hemmings, The World's Largest Collector Car Marketplace

The line between nostalgic trucks and used trucks is always moving and the younger generations are gravitating towards 1980s Chevy trucks.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

When Chaz told us his Stylus stumbled under load, the brain trust promptly got it up on stands. They found + fixed several problems. But it still stumbled on full throttle. Maybe it was the fuel pump? But he did NOT expect Aamir to get out his grinder + carefully start cutting into his floorpan ...

Chaz said his car stumbled. He DIDN'T expect this! #carrepair #oldcars #roadtrip #isuzu #isuzugemini

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

When Chaz brought his car to our gathering, it stumbled under load. He made it, but it wasn't a great journey. The brain trust immediately put the car up on blocks. But it was pretty clear he did NOT expect us to take a grinder to the rear floorpan of his car. All will be explained ... in Part II!

Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

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Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

We've been away for a while driving old Isuzus / Geos (and an MGB, natch). For those of you on Insta (follow us there!), here's a video showing one crucial update to John's car. The 'Handling by Lotus' badges obviously reduce aerodynamic drag ...

Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

This one's a twofer: for both obscure-car fans AND pretty much anyone who lived in NYC during the '80s or '90s and had access to cable TV. The Robin Byrd documentary 'Bang My Box' is wonderful. The NYC folks, especially Teh Ghez, will likely remember it all.

Silver Renault 5 Le Car 4-door with cloth rollback sunroof parked at a curb in NYC, shot from right front. Its yellow-and-blue New York state personalized license plate on the front is "970-BYRD". Behind it is a maroon Chevy Citation; a Ford LTD yellow taxi cab is passing behind it in the other direction, with a black-and-white NYPD sedan in the next lane over from it.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

The most modern car in the TFT fleet (or at least the most modern car we'd show you 😁) got its usual reception. Old V8 guys ignored it. Porsche guys didn't even notice it. And the three guys under 40 went wild. It is ever such.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Quite inexplicably, this is by FAR our most popular video ever. The YouTube version (below) did okay, but the Insta one racked up > 10K views. For the first time evah! So help us understand: Why ??? Any wisdom out there? Did we inadvertently do something really right? Hashtags? Hillclimbs? ?!?!?

Climbing a hill on 27.5 hp: HOW slow was it? #britishcars #oldcars #morrisminor #roadtrip #hillclimb

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

If you follow us on Instagram, a new video shows exactly HOW slow our journey was: in this case, climbing a steep hill with exactly 27.5 hp. It took 7 hours to do 160 miles, cruising comfortably at 40 mph ... but a blazing top speed of 48 mph on one quite long downhill stretch. HOONS, we were!

temptingfatetours on Instagram: "Our pal Richard gets the most out of his 75-year-old car's 27.5 hp, but hills are always a challenge. Timing the gear changes is cr…"

Our pal Richard gets the most out of his 75-year-old car's 27.5 hp, but hills are always a challenge. Timing the gear changes is crucial. Here's how he did it. (In 7 hours, we covered 160 miles + at least 1,000 roundabouts.).....#britishcars #oldcars #morrisminor #roadtrip #hillclimb

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

The pleasure was all ours, we assure you ... ... with all 27.5 bhp at our disposal.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

We're trying to work out whether this is more or less impressive than clearing the same goal in ... a Skoda Fabia. Which the owner has ALSO done!

This Diesel-Powered MINI Cooper D Just Crossed 1,000,000 Kilometers | The Online Automotive Marketplace | Hemmings, The World's Largest Collector Car Marketplace

Discover how Peter Kirchoff drove his 2014 MINI Cooper D "Nemo" to 1,000,000 kilometers on its original engine, repeating his legendary Škoda high-mileage record.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

OK, now why didn't we ever think of that? Write the TO DO list on the windscreen! Much better than the bulletin board on the wall ... or the sheet of paper we already misplaced ... or anything else. Nice. From a Hemmings video.

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

OK, what do you think? IS a classic SUV the new accessory for a "hot girl"? This piece was written by a NYC reporter who focuses on "the lifestyles of the affluent + influential. Her reporting has explored the weddings of the .01%, the shopping habits of tweens + social conflict in Nantucket." Oh.

The Expensive Accessory Every ‘Hot Girl’ Wants: An Old, Loud SUV

The market for vintage Broncos and Land Rovers is booming, fueled by women willing to spend north of $100,000 for “junk on wheels.”

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

We're not wild about the car. But the color? [chef's kiss]

1972 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu: '70s Sepia - Hagerty Media

You might want to sit down for this: Klockau is writing up a Chevrolet Malibu—not a Continental, not a Ninety-Eight Regency, not a Seville!

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

We tempted fate in a new + very different way: a British car, driving up the hills + through the streets of San Francisco ... with NO DRIVER. Yep, we got our first #robotaxi ride in a @waymo.bsky.social Jaguar I-Pace #EV. Watch the clip (only 40 seconds). What do you think? Would you ride in one?

British car, 25 mph, NO driver! Our first @Waymo ride

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Oh MY. If any amongst us want an MGF, this is definitely THE ONE. All the weak points are fixed AND the wheel is correct. Lovely.

trophycars.co.uk

MGF LHD 24k VVC 1 OWNER!-NEW HEAD GASKET-CAMBELT-1YR WARRANTY-1YR MOT | Trophy Cars - UK's #1 MG Car Specialist | South Witham, United Kingdom

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

If you wondered what it's like to drive a 67-year-old British car through French traffic, here's a short video of John doing just that on the infamous, even notorious, Minors on Tour through Normandy. Please note that his comments toward one specific French driver are made *affectionately*. Honest.

Morris Minoring thru Normandy for Minors on Tour 2026

YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours

Tempting Fate Tours @temptingfatetours.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

A few of us have been here multiple times, so we might have focused on different cars. But it remains a fascinating place, including dozens of prototypes for cars the dying Brit industry never had the funds, the gumption, or the will to build. In that respect, it's sad. But what a visit. (1 of 2)