The Rover-Landers of BC

When was the last time you heard of anyone trying to circumnavigate the globe in a Series I, II or III?

I am asking because as part of my coming mid-life crisis is that I am considering just this, at least the driving around the world part. No never owned a series but I am reaching for the wallet to do just that :D .

I have seen websites for all types of vehicles that did it, from a 73 VW van , every make of Asian 4x4, and even a 91 Subaru forester and let not forget the many "Long-way Everywhere biker types :wink: ", however, I have not found any websites that show a series completing this challenge in the past 20 years.

The question then is, is it not possible? Is the series just to antiquated for the modern adventure? or is the modern man just to soft for the antiquated adventure?

All thoughts and criticisms are welcome, after all I am up early on a Saturday and have had 2 pots of espresso already.

Cheers

Chuck

Absolutely possible, and as long as you're not setting unreal deadlines on yourself, might be quite enjoyable. Like, driving for 2 hours a day shouldn't task you that much... :lol:

Realistically, at a speed of 50-55 mph you can probably handle about 5 hours of driving a day and see the sights along the way. I've got a 66 88 inch and we've put thousands of road miles on it.

Some things I'd suggest, though... buy and install a few upgrades as it'll make life a bit more enjoyable:

- Front windows, either rocky mountain or Defender
- Parabolic springs for a softer smoother ride
- Defender seats - this will make a huge difference to the time you can remain behind the wheel
- Overdrive
- Brakes upgraded to dual circuit (and discs, if possible) for safety

There is a group out of the UK that are taking two Series 1s from London to Singapore. They may have left already, if not their departure is imminent: http://www.firstoverland.co.uk/

Have fun!

Dave

Thanks Dave great advice.

I have also found one other group that did it, different route but they made it a long sprint, I am definitely going to enjoy the trip taking my time.

http://www.aroundtheworld1999.com/

Hi Charles,

Great idea, I say go for it! Like Dave said, the key is not to make it a race against time!

A couple of early decisions will be things like, where to sleep? (tent or in the vehicle). Maybe a trailer for extra space? Diesel of petrol?
I think it would have to be a long wheel base? (109")
Maybe a carawagon or roof top tent?

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

Good luck with you planning, let us know how it all go's in the planning stages
Andy

ANDYD wrote:Hi Charles,

Great idea, I say go for it! Like Dave said, the key is not to make it a race against time!

A couple of early decisions will be things like, where to sleep? (tent or in the vehicle). Maybe a trailer for extra space? Diesel of petrol?
I think it would have to be a long wheel base? (109")
Maybe a carawagon or roof top tent?

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

Good luck with you planning, let us know how it all go's in the planning stages
Andy

Thanks Andy,

I am intuitively leaning towards the 109 however, as Dave has pointed out it has also been done in a couple 88s (see his link in post).

I think a roof top tent is the best way to go, however that depends on what I figure out. Honestly, I am not to worried about what I end up taking as I have seen every kind of suspect vehicle make it from a $500 beater to the $80,000 plus adventure 4x4.

Diesel or gas? but definitely ear plugs :D

I feel what is key is how far off the track you go or don't go.

For example I plan on staying away from the Daren Gap and Northern Columbia given my healthy respect for the human condition. :wink:

I am not worried about time as I plan if possible to fly back from the road every 8 months to work and see family, 8 out 4 back. I am nurse and at the moment casual work is all that is available in Alberta, so summer time is a good time to be back; but I digress.

I will absolutely keep you all up to date on the planning and you never know I might hit any of you up for some mechanical advice and be asking to go scrounging in your old parts bin.

Clearly there is lots to plan and a website/blog is likely how I will communicate once on the road (there are some great expedition ones that you can use for free).

The route I was thinking of would start with a shake down cruise 2-3 months in Ab, BC and Yk. Then point South & the Pan-American. Ship to S-Africa and head North to the EU then E. Wine, food, big game and most material culture is what I am very interested in. I think that covers it :).


Well I am getting way ahead of myself as I am long on places to go and I just started searching for that right series.

My Depart time is likely 2011-2012.

Keep you comments coming

Charles

Hi Charles

If you are really set on using a rover then maybe consider starting your trip overseas. In Europe you can pick-up a nice 15 year old diesel Defender or diesel Disco (left hand drive can be found in countries like Switzerland or Germany - note that Switzerland has strict vehicle care and inspection standards so you should find some nice used rovers) Drive it all over the place then finish up by landing it in Halifax NS and driving the Trans-Canada or Vancouver if coming from the far east. Then its voila, you are home after a great journey and have a highly sought after diesel rover here in Canada that would resell easily or.... be a great conversation piece. Either way - hope you have a great trip!

Cheers, Rob

Rob wrote:Hi Charles

If you are really set on using a rover then maybe consider starting your trip overseas. In Europe you can pick-up a nice 15 year old diesel Defender or diesel Disco (left hand drive can be found in countries like Switzerland or Germany - note that Switzerland has strict vehicle care and inspection standards so you should find some nice used rovers) Drive it all over the place then finish up by landing it in Halifax NS and driving the Trans-Canada or Vancouver if coming from the far east. Then its voila, you are home after a great journey and have a highly sought after diesel rover here in Canada that would resell easily or.... be a great conversation piece. Either way - hope you have a great trip!

Cheers, Rob

Thanks Rob

That is an interesting Idea it and food for thoought. Let me know if you have any favorite sources for finding series rovers in the EU.

I have found some late series Rovers in the UK but have not seen any for Switzerland (Google searching) it would be a whole other kinda trip to outfit in Europe and leave from there.

Keep the good ideas coming.

Charles

Hello Charles,

I have bought four Land Rovers all through the Land Rovers of Switzerland (LROS) web site and have loved them all.

http://www.lros.ch/en/markt/fahrzeuge

I was a member of the club and have attended a meeting. Most of the members speak very good english and all have huge hearts and made me feel very welcome.

Best vehicle sales website is AutoScout

http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Defau ... g=ger&wl=1

Temporary registration and insurance is quick and easy. My profile picture is one I purchased in Switzerland in the ferry line-up at Calais.

Good luck I love your idea of using a Land Rover as it is a world wide community of interesting and wonderful people.

Any questions please don't hesitate to contact me[/url]

Having done a lot of international touring in a Series I consider is is an excellent idea. I drove a 109 from Vancouver to Damascus in 1998/1999 with the ocean bits from New York to Rotterdam - Southampton to Montreal.

A good 109 is a very reliable vehicle. Get an overdrive, parabolic springs and disc brakes. today I would consider fitting a 200Tdi motor to save on fuel.

Ray

StuartL wrote:Hello Charles,

I have bought four Land Rovers all through the Land Rovers of Switzerland (LROS) web site and have loved them all.

http://www.lros.ch/en/markt/fahrzeuge

I was a member of the club and have attended a meeting. Most of the members speak very good english and all have huge hearts and made me feel very welcome.

Best vehicle sales website is AutoScout

http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Defau ... g=ger&wl=1

Temporary registration and insurance is quick and easy. My profile picture is one I purchased in Switzerland in the ferry line-up at Calais.

Good luck I love your idea of using a Land Rover as it is a world wide community of interesting and wonderful people.

Any questions please don't hesitate to contact me[/url]

Hi Stuart

Thank you for the great links, and with "Google Translator's" help it was easy to read through the pages.

I can't agree more about the Land Rover community as evidenced by the posts here and many PMs I have received.

Cheers

Charles