bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
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Jan 31, 2007 22:56:51 GMT
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... Like the title says, what would you drive? I had a moment the other day in my mates house. I was in the shower (bear with me on this one...) and her shower curtain is a map of the world, by the time I'd washed and gone I realised it's quite realistic to think it could be done solo on a reasonable budget. I know there are organised events and it's a well travelled route, but I'd prefer to do it on my own. Also, I read a letter once sent in to a magazine I was working on by a guy who'd broken up with his wife and ended up driving his '32 rod from Cornwall to Peking. He never intended to go that far, that's just the way it worked out. Given the fact that in four weeks I'm going to embark on my extended travels having sold the house, I've started thinking, well why not? So obviously the first thing I thought about was a suitable vehicle. Here's my preliminary list based on the following... Ground clearance, ease of maintenance, non-swanky appearance, security, reliability, economy...  2CV  Some sort of Russian/Eastern block 4x4  Renault 4  Baja  So what would you suggest? Everytime I've road tripped on my own I've tried to find a vehicle that blends in and doesn't look ostentatious, so that's my main criteria and the reason behind the UAZ stuff, but they're an unknown quantity to me... |
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Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
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Jan 31, 2007 23:06:02 GMT
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Go for the Badger - it rocks!
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tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,458
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Jan 31, 2007 23:07:19 GMT
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BajaBajaBaja That one looks hard as nails, and I understand aircooled engines better than waterpumpers |
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Jan 31, 2007 23:10:05 GMT
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oh man i love bahaaas, fantastic!
for undercover stealth combined with off road ability then 4cv gets it
J
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Jan 31, 2007 23:11:26 GMT
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take the buggy  it will stand out and not practical but what a story to tell us. dust off those goggles!  |
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 it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts |
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RetroMat
Posted a lot
Column Shifting!
Posts: 3,444
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Jan 31, 2007 23:11:33 GMT
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for some reason these two popped into my head: popular in Russia  popular in Africa  Baja would be goodthough ;D |
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,962
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Jan 31, 2007 23:14:22 GMT
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My house to Peking... And back low loader might be easier than a 2CV From what I remember houses are heavy!!! |
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,542
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Jan 31, 2007 23:17:18 GMT
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Whatever W number this is...  Or a later one like Keefy's they probably meet most (or at least some) of the criterea |
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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tigran
Club Retro Rides Member
In rust we trust. Amen.
Posts: 6,444
Club RR Member Number: 142
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My house to Peking... And backtigran
@tigran
Club Retro Rides Member 142
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Jan 31, 2007 23:18:59 GMT
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1964 Rover P5 i6
1987 BMW 525e - The Rusty Streak
1992 Micra K10
2001 BMW E46 316i
2002 BMW E46 330Ci
2013 BMW F31 320d
2018 BMW G31 530d
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bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
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Jan 31, 2007 23:27:33 GMT
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Liking it... Baja's are cool huh? Russell with all the will in the world I don't think anybody would swap that Baja for your Dolomite... Yet. Hadn't thought about a Lada estate, nice choice. Seth you make me laugh, you're so civilised in a good way. The romance of cruising to Peking in an old Merc is very alluring, but I think it would stand out too much in the wrong way. i'm thinking in some places I'd visit that'd be a big posh car (could be wrong about that) Bstardchild, you are as ever quite correct. But as soon as I leave this 110 yr old terrace, home will be where I park it for quite a while. So technically I should say Taunton to Peking... and back I'm thinking air cooled, for obvious reasons. And yes the buggy would be good for that, but it doesn't offer any security other than ammo cases welded to the frame. Although a mate who cycled to Sydney from London said travelling by bike means you are open and people can see you're not hiding anything, so it could work. The 4CV works for me over the 2CV, because of the bigger engine and tin-top. But I know 2CVs very well, hmmm... The other thing about taking the buggy is if something terminal happens, I don't think I could face leaving it somewhere, it's the one vehicle I've said I'll never sell. ;D |
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Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
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bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
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Jan 31, 2007 23:29:33 GMT
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OOOh, Tigran... That's the look right there. It would blend right in too. I'm assuming parts availability is going to be good for them right the way across, as the majority of the journey would be on are abouts their home turf. Only problem I've got is getting one prepped in this country before leaving. Anybody know what sort of money and where I could reliably source one?
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Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,962
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Jan 31, 2007 23:37:23 GMT
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Bstardchild, you are as ever quite correct. But as soon as I leave this 110 yr old terrace, home will be where I park it for quite a while. So technically I should say Taunton to Peking... and back Yeah I'm sorry - it was the first thing that came into my head so I just blurted it out  |
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tigran
Club Retro Rides Member
In rust we trust. Amen.
Posts: 6,444
Club RR Member Number: 142
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My house to Peking... And backtigran
@tigran
Club Retro Rides Member 142
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Jan 31, 2007 23:39:14 GMT
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They were built from '73 to present day so there are a load of the buggers about in Russia and the east. They are completely simple to fix. The problem is finding one. To buy one in England is to pay a fair whack for what it is, finding one cheap there is a whole new PITA. www.tanksforsale.co.uk/Tanks_Trucks_Jeeps_for_sale.htm ;D About 4-5k euro seems the going rate. |
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1964 Rover P5 i6
1987 BMW 525e - The Rusty Streak
1992 Micra K10
2001 BMW E46 316i
2002 BMW E46 330Ci
2013 BMW F31 320d
2018 BMW G31 530d
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bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
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Jan 31, 2007 23:56:05 GMT
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They were built from '73 to present day so there are a load of the buggers about in Russia and the east. They are completely simple to fix. The problem is finding one. To buy one in England is to pay a fair whack for what it is, finding one cheap there is a whole new PITA. www.tanksforsale.co.uk/Tanks_Trucks_Jeeps_for_sale.htm ;D About 4-5k euro seems the going rate. Thanks for that, so by the time I've sourced one abroad and got it prepped I'll be up to that anyway... I like the look of the Mig21 they've got listed on that site though. Hmm, I could be back within a week... ;D |
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Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
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A Subaru Sumo! Economy and 4WD! |
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1962 Datsun Bluebird Estate - 1971 Datsun 510 SSS - 1976 Datsun 710 SSS - 1981 Dodge van - 1985 Nissan Cherry Europe GTi - 1988 Nissan Prairie - 1990 Hyundai Pony Pickup - 1992 Mazda MX5
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There is only one realistic choice: the Honda C90.  Amazingly simple, tougher than old boots and more importantly there's nowhere on the planet that they arent sold and you wont be able to find a supply of parts. Try finding a Citroen dealer in deepest Kazakhstan! |
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Last Edit: Feb 1, 2007 7:55:35 GMT by herald948
"Jeremy Clarkson, a man we motor enthusiasts need on our side like Lewis Hamilton's F1 car needs a towing ball and a Sprite Musketeer" My motor |
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,542
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Bryn, I picked the Merc on the basis that I thought they were used the world over by the minicab fraternity but yeah, wafting around the world has a certain ring to it. |
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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Big merc diesel for sure  Jack up the ground clearance, all terrain tyres, sump guard..... Seriously they are one of the best overland vehicles.... a Mate at Ricardo Nathan has bought one to do the Plymouth Dakar in and has used them before.... totally bullet proof and very simple, and you get comfort as well Get an estate and you could Kip in it too ;D |
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A W123 or W124 'wagon is an inspired choice...
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I agree, Merc W123 wagon. Diesel for the uber nuke-proof reliability, they'll run on pretty much anything too! I don't think they're classed as posh motors in most parts of the world - in the middle east they seem to favour them along with Toyotas, and they always look ratty.
Tonycocacola might be able to give you tips on how to raise the back end up with the hydraulic system. The front end might be a bit more tricky.
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it will stand out and not practical but what a story to tell us. dust off those goggles! 
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