Well, had a minor moment with the 101 yesterday on the way back from its 800KM Christmas run to Lakes Entrance, round and about there for a week and back again. Only had it stall once as described earlier, and it started straight away, so still need to narrow that one down.
Anyway, coming down a hill this side of Moe, overdrive in doing about 105 ish. All of a sudden, there is a 'bang bang bang' noise coming from the gearbox area... I'm thinking 'oh crap, I've killed the OD' - I had been giving the car a bit of a hard time the previous hour on the back roads between Stratford and Moe - so I drop it out and pray that it will work without it - just as I was doing this, there was one loud bang, then all went quiet. I gingerly let the clutch out and checked if I had drive - I did, whew...
I pulled over to have a look at what had happened, and found the rubber boot that goes over the splines on the front drive shaft has completely gone - apart from the wire clamps and a bit of rubber under them, completely not there. There is now just a huge grease stain accross the gearbox and everywhere else...
So, I'm guessing it split, and was flapping around belting against the gearbox for a few seconds before being deposited on the road.
So, I check the driveshaft - seems fine, a little bit of play in the splines, but nothing out of the ordinary, and head off again. I take it easy for the rest of the trip and give the OD a break, and home safely.
That's really the biggest scare its given me so far, and I hope it's the last for a while. So, I've got to sort that before I drive it on he dirt, but apart from that, it was a pleasure to drive and still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
Mum thought I was nuts driving it down there and was horrified when she asked about its fuel consumption...:D. But, Cam (My Son) slept in the back of it every night and loved it - he is passionate about it too, which I'm stoked with.:)
Heading to bed soon, don't think I'll make it to midnight, so have yourselves a great new year all.:)
Cheers - Gav.

