RustyDaytrips.nl: Short break to Samsø Denmark to see the HalfCrab

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

Short break to Samsø Denmark to see the HalfCrab

Weather was still cold in Denmark when we arrived at the ferry to the island of Samsø, to visit the Samsø Austin Museum run by Stefan Wolffbrandt. Actually Stefan is the owner, but he also restores and finds cars and sells the tickets at the museum.

The islands off the mainland of Denmark are serviced by sturdy small ferries like this one to Tunø,

Samsø,being the larger island, is serviced by this new and larger ferry.

When we arrived at the museum, this Austin Cambridge was the first car welcoming us

Insidemany cars and showcases full of Austinmobilia

Lik this original BMC service sign

In Denmark the Austin A40 Farina was called the Futura. The museum has two.

Outside there's aselection of BL-era cars, like this Princess

A collection of Allegro's and a Metro

Spare front for a Somerset

American A40 Devon

In the main room a selection of A35, 110, A60, Maxi and A70

This is how the Halfcrab looks now: Resplendent with a new coat of paint and a suitably explanatory sign for this wing of the museum.

50% Frontal aspect is always strange especially without a grille

But here we're showing a whole grille.

This wing houses the half and unrestored cars

Stefan told us this 1967 J4 might be his next restoration project

This A35 Van was just finished

Every workshop needs a RainHare

Another half car. This was a 1939 Austin 10. Too far gone to be restored. The front is in the museum

Big truck does not fit inside but could be handy to transport new acquisitions home or hoist them from ditches or hedges. You can read more about the cars and the museum at the splendid Austin Museum website

The houses are often painted in light and cheery colours

We were close to Tranebjerg, the main town of Samsø.

The local blacksmith historical building

I'd like an anvil like that in my workshop..

Samsø has varied landscape. You'll find open country wetlands and hills.

The scenic country roads perfect for cycling

Patches of snow everywhere

Local Bric a brac

The Danes have old windmills too!

Ferry to Kalundborg

The lighthouse Vesborg Fyr was biult on the remains of an old fortification

View from the lighthouse

Built in 1858 by Frederick VII

Exploring quiet roads

These are the remains of a canal built by the Vikings ca 720. This way they could move their ships from East to West to defend the island from invaders.