McDonald Enterprises - Fun Stuff Tel: 805-684-9594
The Toyota That Would Not Drown
Everybody has a Toyota story. This is my Uncle Alister's.
Alister McDonald was a local character. He was a consummate politician and environmentalist. An avid adventurer, he climbed many New Zealand mountainous regions and explored isolated areas (one of which now bears his name). A man who beguiles you with his vast knowledge and interests; and bedevils you with his vast knowledge and interests. He is a singular man with many talents.
Driving safely, not being one of those talents.
Off-handedly dismissive of the driving laws of New Zealand (and any other country he happens to be driving in), Alister is quite capable of driving on either side, the middle or the shoulder of the road, accelerating or decelerating to the circadian rhythm that exists in his head and flaunting the laws of gravity and nature while scaring the heck out of his unfortunate passengers.
One particular incident proved that you can try to drown a Toyota Landcruiser but you can't keep it drowned....
Alister was trying to cross the Mararoa River.
Alister thought that he could get through as the waters seemed to be navigable. Unbeknownst to him, the river recently had scoured a hole in the riverbed. When the Landcruiser put a wheel into the hole, it was quite evident that he had to abandon ship.
Ever the environmentalist, Alister was disconcerted by the ecological impact of yet another 1976 Toyota Landcruiser deserted in the pristine waters of New Zealand. The next day, he arranged for the cruiser to be pulled out with a big 4 x 4 tractor.
Once out of the water, the cruiser was transported on the back of a Dodge tow truck to the local garage. The garage flushed the water out of engine with diesel and lo and behold, it fired up immediately; ready for another misadventure with Alister.
We are happy to report it is still being used to this day by his son Peter McDonald at the family farm - Gavenwood.
Thanks for the memories, Alister.
Alister McDonald 1932- 2007