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Two Friends Set Record with 14,000-Mile Drive in Three-Wheeled Car to South Africa
Two adventurers completed a 14,000-mile journey from London to Cape Town in a Reliant Robin three-wheeler, setting a record for the longest trip in such a vehicle. They faced breakdowns, political unrest, and dangerous roads over four-and-a-half months. The car, named Sheila, will eventually be displayed at the London Transport Museum.
Apr 22, 5:00 AM·1m read3 sources
AP
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The adventurers acquired the silver Reliant Robin, one of the last built, specifically for the trip. They departed in October with basic supplies and fuel strapped to the roof. The vehicle lacked power steering and air conditioning, struggling on hills and rough terrain.
It experienced multiple breakdowns, including wheel springs replaced in the first two weeks, a gearbox failure in Ghana limiting it to fourth gear, and an engine blowout in Cameroon. >"No power steering, no air con, and it doesn’t do well up hills or down them.
" — Ollie Jenks (AP) Repair assistance came from locals, mechanics across Africa, and enthusiasts in the U.K. who shipped parts like a new gearbox to Ghana and an engine to Cameroon. The journey cost between $40,000 and $50,000, funded by sponsors and crowdfunding.
In Cameroon, they received a 300-mile military escort through a region with separatist violence. Traffic incidents included a near-collision with a bus in Congo that almost crushed the car against a cliff. Positive moments included driving through mountain ranges and deserts, and safari experiences where the car traveled alongside giraffes, near endangered rhinos, and next to an elephant.
It was temporarily displayed in a high-end car showroom in South Africa, attracting attention despite its damage, including a broken window, stained windshield, bent rims, and dents. Plans include servicing the vehicle, driving it to Kenya, shipping it to Turkey, and returning it to the U.K. for placement in the London Transport Museum.
The Reliant Robin holds cultural significance in the U.K., featured in the sitcom "Only Fools and Horses" as a battered yellow van, and was originally designed for short trips in 1970s Britain before production ended in the early 2000s.
