This is a story that has gone untold for nearly three decades. A group of inexperience Brits tackle the Dark Continent in a group of tired, second-hand, unreliable Unimogs – in search of ancient cave drawings. And adventure. They found both.
Words and photography: Schion Scudamore
This story is about 28 years late for the copy date, but as far as I know, no other account has ever been published in any other mainstream journal. It’s the story of 30 or so people from all walks of life brought together for an ambitious journey to catalogue and record petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) in the Tibesti Mountains in Northern Chad.
It was all so long ago that you will have to forgive me for any inaccuracies, I kept no diary so this is written from memory with a bit of poetic licence thrown in. The vehicles were bought from the £1000 each we contributed and from numerous sponsors who were supporting the project. It is also a story of a major change in direction of my life as it saw me shift from a career in car design, a dream for many these days, to working for the best part of the next 20 years in the circles of the adventure travel business.
The growth of China’s motor industry took a significant step forward at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with the announcement from Changan of the company’s new SUV. There will also be a saloon and an electric car. The intent is clear, as the company announced, “The goal: To distribute over the next ten years, according to high quality and design standards produced cars in Europe.” Rather awkward English, perhaps, but the intent is clear.
Anyone who saw the inspirational feature that appeared on BBC’s Top Gear programme, where a team of severely injured former service men and woman competed in a Comp Safari event, will be pleased to hear the news that these guys are looking to enter the 2014 Dakar. Project Mobility, a British not-for-profit organisation that sets out to help re-habilitate injured military personal, has joined with Bowler to provide the vehicles necessary. This all-new, fourth generation Bowler, code-named EXR, will allow the team to develop their off-road skills in national events next year, to give them the necessary experience for the Dakar.
Jeep’s 70th Anniversary year drew to a close with attendance at the Goodwood Revival, a fantastic event that anyone interested in motor vehicles should attend and enter into the spirit of a golden era of the ‘50s and ‘60s for motorsport, writes Hils Everitt. See next month’s issue for a dedicated report, as this year the event was lucky to have Jeep as a main sponsor. Celebrating 70 years of the iconic marque, the show was bedecked with Jeeps from the past, from Willys to Wagoneers and Renegades. But the big news story was delivered at a press conference, held at Lord March’s home, which revealed Jeep’s future plans and model line-up.
SuperPro bushes are certainly tried, tested and proven in motorsport, which means they deliver more than enough performance for most 4×4 owners. Devon 4×4 has a special offer on their website this month that will please Nissan owners. A complete set of bushes for Nissan Patrols (Y60 GQ LWB & SWB Safari 1989 – 1997 and Y61 GU Wagon / Safari 1997 – 2002) is now available for £338.20 (inc VAT). You’ll get a three-year/30,000mile guarantee.
It seemed somewhat appropriate, given the main theme of this month’s issue, that as we closed for press we received details from the guys at Wheels ‘n’ Things. Now we are encouraging you to change your tyres, but that means you have to get the tyres fitted… then when summer returns, you have to change back. How about a set of steel wheels for your winter tyres? You can then swop those yourself, each winter. There’s an initial investment obviously, but the wheels and winter tyres could then last you for years and years.
It seems that Defender drivers can say goodbye to damp sleeves in winter! The DefenderVent kit provides an effective solution to the age-old problem of the lack of side-window demisting facility on pre-2007 Defenders. The redesigned windscreen vent not only improves airflow to the windscreen but an additional outlet channels warm air to mini-vents fitted into the ends of the Defender dashboard.
The wonderfully named Wacky Practicals have a new collapsible kettle, which is a great idea for any campers/overlanders out there. Space is always a premium, and things like kettles are always an awkward shape – so why not get one that squashes completely flat! It has a capacity of just over a litre, so enough for a good few cuppas.
Top registration specialists Primo have some great registration offers this month. If you want to have a plate that no longer ‘ages’ your vehicle, then they have a number of potential offerings: PAZ 9171 was available as this was written for only £299. We were particularly drawn to PR 99 – although this was on offer for just under £10,000. Mind you, we know a lot of PR people who could easily afford that! If you are interested in registrations, you should check out the Primo picture gallery, which has thousands of pictures of interesting number plates (pictured above).
What a complete clot! When one 4×4 reader asked his insurance company why his policy had been invalidated because he had taken the eminently sensible decision to fit a set of winter tyres to his VW Touareg, the prize plonker at his insurance company answered, ‘the tyres are a winter tyre and should only be fitted in winter.” Asking when Privilege insurance defined winter actually occurred, he was told “December, or when it snows.” This flippant and stupendously idiotic response just shows the ignorance that still exists with some insurance companies, and why, when you fit winter tyres to your 4×4 – and trust us, you really should consider it – you do need to check with your insurance company to see if fitting invalidates your policy. If it does, the solution is simple: move insurers! Which is exactly what this Touareg owner did – he’s now with AVIVA. 
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