Classic Safari vehicles!

Mojave Jack · Jan 17, 2015

Been wanting to post these for a while now! Not quite classic in that it's from the '30s, but hey, next year my old Monty will turn 25 , and for cars that's classic! My wife and I took our second driving trip the length of the Baja peninsula, and had an absolutely fantastic trip again. This time we did a lot more camping, and more exploring in places we liked, especially Loreto and the Sierra de San Francisco Mountains.

Here she is loaded up for the trip

The first stop, lunch at El Pollo Loco in Moreno Valley! Destined for more exotic locales!

On the trip south, feeling a bit outclassed at the Cataviña Oasis.

On the road

In Loreto

On the road in the Sierra de San Francisco, to see the incredible prehistoric rock art sites

After seeing the rock art, we stopped for a picnic lunch

We stopped at several missions, an area I've begun to research recently and plan to research a lot more. This one is the Misión de Santa Rosalía de Mulegé om the Mar de Cortez side of the peninsula.

Feeling outclassed again in San Ignacio! These guys are from Germany (note the Alemania on the box on the roof, which is Spanish for Germany), and are driving a Series 70. That's enough to make me jealous as it is, since we can't even get those in the US. We had them in Saudi Arabia, and they are awesome. I have got to get that snorkel!

MikeKardec · Jan 18, 2015

I have a Defender 90 that has been in the rebuilding process for the last 3 years (constant parts scrounging) but if I had the space this would be my choice for a vintage vehicle --

http://jalopnik.com/5847862/your-chance-to-own-john-waynes-custom-1966-international-travelall/

I love these old Internationals and they had a wide array of very cool and really obscure options.

vintage.vendeuse · Jan 18, 2015

Mojave Jack said:
Been wanting to post these for a while now! Not quite classic in that it's from the '30s, but hey, next year my old Monty will turn 25 , and for cars that's classic! My wife and I took our second driving trip the length of the Baja peninsula, and had an absolutely fantastic trip again. This time we did a lot more camping, and more exploring in places we liked, especially Loreto and the Sierra de San Francisco Mountains.

Here she is loaded up for the trip
View attachment 22985

Awesome, thanks for sharing the photos!

Stearmen · Jan 19, 2015

The ultimate Safari vehicle! http://www.extravaganzi.com/maharajas-1925-rolls-royce-tiger-car-could-fetch-1-million-at-bonhams-auction/

MikeKardec · Jan 20, 2015

Mojave Jack -

Don't feel too outclassed, when I lived in Australia there were a lot of people who knew the outback well who preferred the Mitsu and Isuzu trucks. I lusted after Series 70s, same as you, and I own a D 90 and I have to say, while the D 90 is the style maven and a descendant of "the original," it's not the most cooperative of beasts ... it also has a really really restricted turning radius. Nearly as large as my old Ford F-550. Now why is that? Compared to the Scouts and CJs I grew up on it's not that maneuverable. I'd love to have a CJ again but that's probably because the D90's been in the shop for some upgrades for a LOOONG time.

Mojave Jack · Jan 24, 2015

MikeKardec said:
Mojave Jack -

Don't feel too outclassed, when I lived in Australia there were a lot of people who knew the outback well who preferred the Mitsu and Isuzu trucks. I lusted after Series 70s, same as you, and I own a D 90 and I have to say, while the D 90 is the style maven and a descendant of "the original," it's not the most cooperative of beasts ... it also has a really really restricted turning radius. Nearly as large as my old Ford F-550. Now why is that? Compared to the Scouts and CJs I grew up on it's not that maneuverable. I'd love to have a CJ again but that's probably because the D90's been in the shop for some upgrades for a LOOONG time.

Good to know, Mike! Thanks! I actually passed on a Gen 1 Disco for the Monty, for a few reasons. The first was that the repairs are significantly more than the Monty, and second, the Disco would be much more of a target for theft, etc., in Mexico. I've debated repairing some of the body dents and repairs on the Monty for the same reason: camouflage. It's a much less tempting target when it needs body work!

Oh, and the turning radius on the Monty is excellent, so I guess I lucked out on that one!

Stearmen · Jan 25, 2015

Nice Land Cruiser! I can't believe what they are bringing these days. Hang on to yours!

Mr. Godfrey · Jan 25, 2015

Greencanoes said:
View attachment 23410
The vehicle that built Australia, the Toyota 40 Series Land Cruiser. Seen here in the US on an armoured vehicle course.

View attachment 23411

I may be biased though This is mine, a diesel model, the BJ. Stripped down for a photo shoot. It's currently being "de-modded" and returned to factory condition.

Nice car, I think that Pacific model is a great design, and the way I have seen them used and abused in parts of Indonesia, amazing 4x4's I watched these chaps banging coke tins with stones and rocks repairing this one high up in the mountains in Toraja on this little mud track, there seemed to be a convoy of them with supplies for this village I had walked to, they got it working and passed me bye.

I also have seen a extended Version in a desert tan colour looked like some sort of Afrika Korp transport, I looked in to getting one but you can only get the European type here and they look pants in design for me co paired to your type. it was tool expensive to import one so I stick with my Landrover, unless I win the lottery and get that Kubelwagon.

Thanks for sharing your photo though, any of it for the folks in action thread?

MikeKardec · Jan 25, 2015

Mojave Jack said:
I've debated repairing some of the body dents and repairs on the Monty for the same reason: camouflage. It's a much less tempting target when it needs body work

Last time I was in Mexico I ran into a car shop that was taking large American vehicles, Suburbans and Crown Vics, the more dented and faded the better, and turning them into armored vehicles with high performance mechanicals for wealthy (and some not so wealthy) clients. A finished and appropriately crappy looking bullet proof hot rod cost $150,000 US. They were going to CA and AZ for beat and sun damaged but not used up vehicles.

MikeKardec · Jan 25, 2015

Greencanoes said:
View attachment 23410
The vehicle that built Australia, the Toyota 40 Series Land Cruiser. Seen here in the US on an armoured vehicle course.

View attachment 23411
I may be biased though This is mine, a diesel model, the BJ. Stripped down for a photo shoot. It's currently being "de-modded" and returned to factory condition.

As a young man I had an FJ-55 and then an FJ-60. LOVED THEM. The only cars I regret selling. However, they were impossibly slow and got really limited fuel mileage. A diesel seems like the ultimate variation. On a 4x4, range is everything!

Lots of them in Oz and I noticed a bizarre number of Cruisers converted to run the GM 6.2 and 6.5L diesel V8s. American's think that motor sucks but the Aussies, in who's country (unlike most of the US) you could easily die if your vehicle breaks down, seem to like them and consider them to be an alternative to some of the Toyota diesels ... I guess there are some of the Toys that are more highly regarded than others and I've heard there are some that are easier to find and find parts for than others. Personally, I'd take one of the better Toy Diesels first and foremost, but that's just me.

I have the 300 TDI in my D-90 and it's not fast or quiet but it does get serious mpgs.

Stearmen · Jan 26, 2015

Mr. Godfrey said:
Nice car, I think that Pacific model is a great design, and the way I have seen them used and abused in parts of Indonesia, amazing 4x4's I watched these chaps banging coke tins with stones and rocks repairing this one high up in the mountains in Toraja on this little mud track, there seemed to be a convoy of them with supplies for this village I had walked to, they got it working and passed me bye.

I also have seen a extended Version in a desert tan colour looked like some sort of Afrika Korp transport, I looked in to getting one but you can only get the European type here and they look pants in design for me co paired to your type. it was tool expensive to import one so I stick with my Landrover, unless I win the lottery and get that Kubelwagon.

Thanks for sharing your photo though, any of it for the folks in action thread?

Speaking of Kubelwagons, I have seen quite a few VW Things running around all restored. Unfortunately, they have gone up in price also! [video=youtube;m8681DuwwUg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8681DuwwUg[/video]

Mr. Godfrey · Jan 26, 2015

Stearmen said:
Speaking of Kubelwagons, I have seen quite a few VW Things running around all restored. Unfortunately, they have gone up in price also! [video=youtube;m8681DuwwUg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8681DuwwUg[/video]

Thanks Stearman, looks like great fun, I dream of the lottery!!,

Mr. Godfrey · Feb 9, 2015

Found this photo while looking for other items and thought is would add to this thread.

No idea what make it is.

up196 · Feb 10, 2015

Mr. Godfrey said:
Found this photo while looking for other items and thought is would add to this thread.

View attachment 24121

No idea what make it is.

Looks like a Buick, around a 1927 or earlier.

Mr. Godfrey · Feb 10, 2015

Thank you Mr. Up196.

Stanley Doble · Feb 11, 2015

MikeKardec said:
As a young man I had an FJ-55 and then an FJ-60. LOVED THEM. The only cars I regret selling. However, they were impossibly slow and got really limited fuel mileage. A diesel seems like the ultimate variation. On a 4x4, range is everything!

Lots of them in Oz and I noticed a bizarre number of Cruisers converted to run the GM 6.2 and 6.5L diesel V8s. American's think that motor sucks but the Aussies, in who's country (unlike most of the US) you could easily die if your vehicle breaks down, seem to like them and consider them to be an alternative to some of the Toyota diesels ... I guess there are some of the Toys that are more highly regarded than others and I've heard there are some that are easier to find and find parts for than others. Personally, I'd take one of the better Toy Diesels first and foremost, but that's just me.

I have the 300 TDI in my D-90 and it's not fast or quiet but it does get serious mpgs.

GM's 6.2 diesel had a much better name in north america than the earlier 5.7 which was something of a lemon.

The Cummins straight six used in Dodge Power Wagons is the benchmark for light truck diesels, I know of several examples that have done 500,000 miles + without an overhaul and one that was still going at 1,000,000 miles.

Mr. Godfrey · Jun 14, 2015

Found this while looking for other things as you do and while not true African safari, it put me in mind of one of Renault's trips!

Not sure what type of vehicle it is.

fireman · Jun 14, 2015

Nice picture. It looks like an Willy's Jeepster or Wagoneer.

Oldsarge · Jun 14, 2015

I've coveted one of those for decades. They are splendid--though with a new engine/transmission they are even better. So many other vehicles are far more practical for either general use or as a back country/dirt road toy but few have the panache' of the old Jeepster.

Mojave Jack · Jun 14, 2015

Mr. Godfrey said:
Found this while looking for other things as you do and while not true African safari, it put me in mind of one of Renault's trips!

View attachment 30850

Not sure what type of vehicle it is.

Willys Overland Wagon. They were made from from '46 to '65, but the changes were so subtle its really difficult to tell the years apart. I've been watching them come and go on Craigslist and Autotrader for years. Old Sarge is right; the Overlands were always underpowered by modern standards. Even when they put in the Tornado in the early '60s it still only had about 130 horses. They were geared low, though, so were real stump pullers.

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