The Rover-Landers of BC

The Canadian Institute of Forestry will be presenting a Robert Bateman lecture on 2 November 2008 at the Canfor Theatre , UNBC here in Prince George . There is a brief writeup [ 4 sentences ] on his background in the local paper , of which 1 of the 4 sentences states ' He travelled around the world in a Land Rover in 1957 , 1958 , increasing his appreciation of cultural and natural heritage ' .

I found it interesting that they specifically mentioned ' Land Rover ' ; they could have easily left it out .

Apparently he painted the landrover with artwork as they went representing the countries they visited. It would be worth a small fortune if found intact and unpainted.

http://inroads-rru.blogspot.com/2007/05 ... teman.html

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/ ... RTM0012349

Since I was 12 years old, my only goal was to have adventures in nature and put them down in paint. When I was taking geography at U of T, I had no idea that the world would become my oyster as it has. I went around it in a Landrover with Bristol Foster (5T5 Biology) in 1957-58. We traveled across Tropical Africa, Northern India, Burma, Thailand, Malaya and Australia, sleeping in the Landrover and cooking our own food¼ 14 months for $2,000 each. The world was safe in those days. It was when the going was good. In the last two decades I keep getting invited as a resource person on adventure tours to such places as Antarctica, Africa, the Amazon and Asia—Birgit always goes with me. It is like a magic carpet for us.

http://www.aag.org/Careers/Geogwork/Bateman.html

Just reviving an old thread.

I have researched the Bateman/Foster expedition.
They did start with a clean "canvas", and as they
went from country to country Bateman recorded
paintings of their travels around the belt of the
vehicle.

If anyone's interested, I have written an article,
and have quite a few photos. And if anyone's
down here in Ontario, stop in, I have a video
of their trip.

That's pretty amazing.

I can't tell from the image, do you know what the plate is on that Rover in the photo? Is it a canadian truck?

It's a british plate: WAC 337.
Bristol and Robert picked it up at the factory
(Johnny Cash says it's cheaper that way.)
It's a 1957 Pilcher ambulance bodied Series One,
modified for their expedition.
They went through Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia;
and a year and a half later brought it to Canada.
Here Bristol painted over the graphics, and eventually
sold it.

Here's a pic of it when they took delivery of it.
I can add more pics, if there's any interest.

Yes please, love to see more.

They named it "The Grizzly Torque",
and the spare petrol cans on the
front were called "Gin and" "Tonic"

In India they swerved to (try to) avoid hitting
a cyclist. The vehicle ended up on it's side. A
bus stopped, and the passengers disembarked
and helped put it back on it's wheels. The cyclist
hitched a ride in the Landy to a local hospital:
nothing broken; he was ok.

The vehicle seemed to draw some interested observers.

It drew observers on board ship as well.

How likely is it that their are two such vehicles in BC? It still has the bunks in the back and the "observation hatch" above the passenger.

Anybody know the VIN of WAC 337?

http://roverlanders.bc.ca/gallery-photo ... C08879.jpg

OK, I think it's VERY tempting to go and rub a little bit of paint off that blue truck...

Where does that one live? Is it with a club member?

Yes Ray, it is safe and secure in BC awaiting restoration :) It has some very interesting features such as crank-up windows which didn't appear again until the late 80's.

I will let you know what under the baby blue.....

That's cool. Robert is still an active member of The Explorers Club. I'm sure he would be really excited to hear if that truck turned up.

Wouldn't that be wonderful if it turns out to be the Grizzly Torque.
When Bristol sold it it went to the southern US; Texas I think.
I'll contact Bristol Foster; he's on Salt Spring.
I can send my story; I don't know how to post it.
Ray, do you want me to send it to your email.
And I do have a video of their adventure, lots
of clips of the vehicle in action; even shots at
the factory test track. I can try to figure out
how to capture some stills, if anyone's interested.

Here's a picture of the rear section.

I have contacted Bristol Foster,
and sent him the photo of the blue one.

Here's some more pictures.

They even took it to the Snowy Mountains,
where we know other Series Ones worked on the project.

A couple more pics.

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

So cool! If that's the original truck it has to be restore to its former glory! Would love to see the truck in person.

Matt

Ditto. That's a great story and great pics.
Our illustrious Newsletter Editor, Pamela, is always on the look out for interesting new stories to bring to member, many of whom are not on the forum.
Please drop her a line and I'm sure she'd love to hear from you. (Or you can PM me here with your contact details and I'll be happy to pass them on.)

serie-ous wrote:Wouldn't that be wonderful if it turns out to be the Grizzly Torque.
When Bristol sold it it went to the southern US; Texas I think.
I'll contact Bristol Foster; he's on Salt Spring.
I can send my story; I don't know how to post it.
Ray, do you want me to send it to your email.
And I do have a video of their adventure, lots
of clips of the vehicle in action; even shots at
the factory test track. I can try to figure out
how to capture some stills, if anyone's interested.

Here's a picture of the rear section.

I am going to put this story in this month's Explorer's Club newsletter. When you speak to Bristol, tell him Maeva is going to contact Robert as well.

It would be cool if we could get Bristol and Robert to do a little "Expedition" with the Roverlanders to go and see what's under the paint.

What do you think Stuart, would that be OK?

This is all very exciting, I have talked to Bristol Foster and we are very optimistic that is it the vehicle. When he sold it it was to a UBC student doing some research in Texas so it is quite possible he brought it back. Also when I bought it I was told it was specially built for some "bird watchers" in BC.

The interest has been surprising from around the world.

Here is a thread from the Series One Club:

http://www.lrsoc.com/forum/index.php?topic=22033.0

The Bateman Foundation has been working on a project to reinact some of Bristols and "Bob's" trip and have been contacted about the find.

Fingers still crossed.....

To all that have been following this thread, the blue Series 1 has been confirmed as "The Grizzly Torque" the very same Rover Robert Bateman and Bristol Foster used on their 1957/58 World Tour.

All very exciting and now the work begins!!!

Thanks to all that kept their fingers crossed.

Congratulations.
How exciting.

Fantastic!

How did you confirm? Rubbed off a bit of paint?

Robert and Bristol are doing a presentation on Jan 28 at the RBCM in Victoria. It's cool that they can also talk about the truck being found!

Cheers

Ray

Could we say:

"A GRIZZLY discovery has been made"?

[quote]Robert and Bristol are doing a presentation on Jan 28 at the RBCM in Victoria. It's cool that they can also talk about the truck being found!
[quote]

Thanks for the heads up, just bought my tickets!

Can't wait to see this truck returned to its former glory.

Matt

rayhyland wrote:Fantastic!

How did you confirm? Rubbed off a bit of paint?

Robert and Bristol are doing a presentation on Jan 28 at the RBCM in Victoria. It's cool that they can also talk about the truck being found!

Cheers

Ray

Thanks for the heads up, just bought my tickets!

Can't wait to see this truck returned to its former glory. Nice find Stuart!

Matt

Wow cool, where are they speaking in Victoria?

They're speaking at the Royal BC museum. It's an 1.5 hour long talk with cocktails and banter after.

Here is a link to the Bateman Foster "Around the World" lecture: http://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/events/aroun ... nd-foster/

It was identified by Bristol Foster identifying various unknown features and through the paint. Regrettably it appears that whomever painted it the last time spent a lot of time prepping it and took most of it down to bare metal so the hand painted mural is lost.

Excellent story. I can't wait to see how it plays out.
Good find Stuart!

I think RBCM means the Royal BC Museum

Stuart, this is exactly the connection I was trying to make at the field meet when we were talking about the 107. I told you I had read an article about a similar car on a around the world trip. Low and behold it was the same car I thought it was! Thanks for posting the updates!

Ike

Aimee at the Bateman Foundation sent me some more info about the event:

In 1957/58 wildlife artist Robert Bateman and his friend Bristol Foster, director of the British Columbia Provincial Museum (1970 -74) took a round the world journey in a Land Rover. Both documented the trip and captured a world that no longer exists. Join the two friends as they revisit their journey, what it meant to them at the time and how it resonates with them today.
Get tickets at the Royal BC Museum

Event includes access to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit, as well as a cocktail reception following the talk.

The Robert Bateman Centre is working on an exhibit of images, video and objects from this tour that is scheduled to open in the spring of 2015.

http://batemancentre.org/wp-content/upl ... _page_.png

serie-ous wrote:...And I do have a video of their adventure, lots
of clips of the vehicle in action; even shots at
the factory test track. I can try to figure out
how to capture some stills, if anyone's interested.

What a cool and incredible story! Thank you for sharing it. If this forum doesn't support video sharing, have you considered sharing the video via YouTube or similar site? That would be a real treat to watch! Looking forward to more updates.

To all my friends and fellow Roverlanders, if you know of the location of this vehicle please keep it to yourself and please do not disclose it. It is important to maintain secrecy in order to get the tasks at hand completed.

We have a great group of people assisting is what will no doubt be one of the most interesting stories and restorations to come along.

The international interest has really surprised me, I have not been able to keep up with responding to the emails I have received.

A copy of the 90 minute movie is on it's way to me and I hope to be able to show it at Founders Day. I am in contact with Bristol Foster and Robert Bateman who are very excited and helping.

Thank you all for your support, this will be a group effort to complete and something we can all share in.

What an amazing story. I sure wish the event was closer to a weekend!

explorer0863 wrote:

serie-ous wrote:...And I do have a video of their adventure, lots
of clips of the vehicle in action; even shots at
the factory test track. I can try to figure out
how to capture some stills, if anyone's interested.

What a cool and incredible story! Thank you for sharing it. If this forum doesn't support video sharing, have you considered sharing the video via YouTube or similar site? That would be a real treat to watch! Looking forward to more updates.

Tony, you have a pm. Here, and over on the LRSOC forum

Quite an exciting and emotional day today....

It had been 57 years since he bought it and 51 years since he had last seen it... Bristol Foster gets reacquainted with Grizzly Torque..

The restoration starts Dec 27th which is all very exciting.

The Bateman Foundation had already planned an exhibit starting in May.

Here's a short video clip which tells a bit of the story http://vimeo.com/109727968


Enjoy.....

Super interesting stuff. I for one would love to see the video and read the story. Perhaps the club could organize a viewing? I could offer our marina lounge for a venue. Seats about 40, nice big tv, kitchen and bbqs. Great view of False creek. Anyone? Bueler?

Stuart, I sure hope you have that truck, it seems highly unlikely that there are two like that around. Can't wait for the updates.

d

What a great idea!

Hi All,
Dave has generously agreed to set us up in the Marina Lounge on Sat Feb 7th at 7pm for the viewing of the 90 min movie, anyone interested in attending and enjoying this movie let us know at Founders Day (Stuart is planning to have some posters, information, sign up sheet etc at FD). Anyone not attending Founders day let us know if your interested by posting here. The cut off will be 40 people, those on the sign up sheet will have a seat saved for them.
Information on the location and more details will be coming soon, mark Sat. 7th Feb on your calendars ...
Cheers,
Andy :happy1:

There was a great article on the weekend in the Times Colonist, which got a lot of people excited and really boasted ticket sales for next week, here it is...

http://www.timescolonist.com/restoratio ... -1.1734726

Hi Stuart:

Since it is now public knowledge in the media, how about tipping off The Sun's Alyn Edwards at [email protected].
This is a big automotive story and he will do a good job.
Larry

Here's another great news clip from Chek TV from the event on January 28th.

http://www.cheknews.ca/robert-batemans- ... and-rover/

Hey Larry,

I hope you picked up a copy of the Vancouver Sun today, Alyn did a wonderful story and picked some very cool pictures.

Thank you,

Hi Stuart:

Alyn did a great job, as always, so thanks for the go-ahead to talk to him. Now I am thinking about contacting one of the Classic Car
journals in the UK that does weekly features on rare finds around the world. Any objections?
Larry

For those of you interested in following the restoration of the Grizzly Torque I have posted photo under the "Project and Builds" section. It's amazing what can be done in three months with a lot of help :)

Thanks to all that have helped finding parts and the craftsman up in Merritt!!!!

Man would that not be such an epic one to own. I hope whomever buys it does right by it .

Seeing as they are suggesting it is worth more than $300k, it will sit in a rich person’s garage and never be used. Just another asset to make money from.