The additional genius of the Mk1 Mini was the way the rear numberplate was hinged at the top (and illuminated from below), so it was still visible when the trunk lid was open. If you watch the original “Italian Job”, you can see the plates flapping around as the cars take off and land.

Here’s a variation: swap the maker and model names around to make a different car. Sunbeam Talbot —-> Talbot Sunbeam

The company wasn’t called Jaguar until after WW2, so the model was actually called the SS 100. You win!

You are absolutely correct. The statistical probability of me getting into a wreck with a Gumballer is extremely small, and even if we were likely to cross paths I would make sure to minimise the risk to myself (by keeping well out of the way or completely leave the road).

There are so many differences across the US states that it’s hard to compare with other countries directly. Texas is the same size as France, so that’s a good start...

Aha, I may have a contact for you. When I shipped my JDM car from Japan to the UK, I hired a Kiwi guy called Mick Lay to assist with de-registration and transfer to the port. He’s a great guy, and it looks like he’s still in business. I made arrangements over email and phone and met him at a Tokyo suburban railway…

Japanese mountain roads are amazing. If you hit them at the right time, they are also deserted. It’s also possible to drive unhindered straight into the centre of Tokyo, but only early on a Sunday morning.

Hi Europe. Love that song you did about “The Final Countdown”. It’s a classic.

Same with my US wife. She accepted it on the basis of driving being quite different over here (not just the side of the car/road you use), and it was good for her to get a thorough understanding of UK road use and regulations. She is probably a better driver than me, but I haven’t told her this...

Nope, I returned to the UK 11 years ago.

Curb check is also an automatic fail in the UK.

Not entirely useless. I needed to earn a University degree to get my job, but I use almost nothing that I learnt while studying.

I’m sure translated questions are available, but yeah.

Fair enough. Context is everything.

Japan also has less than half the population, so some statistical adjustment should probably be applied.

A friend of mine from the UK has taken an Indian test. I think he had to drive around in a circle on a large flat area. If he could do that without dying, he could get a licence. The motorcycle licence requirement was the same, so he got one of those too...

So you can see the side of the car when manouvering into a small parking space.

Sounds similar to the UK test, albeit with a few uniquely Japanese twists. I don’t see much wrong with it, to be honest. Driving tests should be difficult, as piloting a tonne or more of steel is a big responsibility. Adapting your driving after you’ve past the test to match reality should be no big deal.

Chris Harris moves very quickly from Cockney to Australian. Not that I could do better, even when I’m not driving.

Thanks for jumping into what has been a pretty one-sided discussion.