Should you’re a fan of overlanding, even simply an armchair one, Tim Slessor ought to be your spirit animal. In 1955, he led a crew that drove a Land Rover from London to Singapore. The expedition took six months, concerned a complete lot of impromptu mechanic work knee-deep in mud in every kind of unique nations, helped show the Land Rover’s skill to ferry folks and cargo over just about any terrestrial object, and, most necessary, was joyous enjoyable. Slessor wrote a ebook about his expertise referred to as the “First Overland” and the identify has caught. It definitely helped popularize the concept of journey car journey.
This summer season, on the age of 87, with the assist of a small crew, Slessor might be at it once more. Behind the wheel of the exact same Land Rover he drove 64 years in the past, this time rumbling northwest from Singapore to London. “The Final Overland” this journey is being referred to as, in all probability as a result of the moniker is a pleasant bookend, but in addition as a result of Slessor will flip 88 on the journey and it stands to motive he received’t be doing something prefer it ever once more.
Least if he does, hope it’s in a car with AC and a lot better suspension. And seats. And electronics. And higher the whole lot, actually, than what an admittedly charming 64-year-old Land Rover comes outfitted with. The truth that this rig is working in any respect is astounding. After the large London to Singapore drive, the truck island hopped a bit across the South Atlantic earlier than gently rusting away in a area for a few many years. Lastly an individual who is aware of their Landies was in a position to ship it again to the manufacturing unit to be refurbed. Form of.
It leaks, it rattles, it has apparently had no fashionable facilities added to melt the journey. Two jerry cans are strapped to facet of the Landie. “Gin” reads one. “Tonic” the opposite. Presumably filled with gasoline. Presumably.
There might be challenges unrelated to the cruel driving. The route runs by China and Tibet and politics and permits might be in play. However Slessor, undaunted, is up for it. The drive for journey is stronger in Slessor than the robust as nails drivetrain within the rusted previous Landie.
“Hell, I dwell in a bit one-bedroom flat. I don’t have a backyard — there’s a bent to get a bit bored,” he mentioned. “An interior whisper has been saying to me for a yr or two, ‘In mild of your age, do it now, earlier than it’s too late.’ You’re solely right here as soon as.”
A movie chronicling the journey is deliberate. A trailer is beneath.
