The Last Overland: Singapore to London in a Series-1

[Robmacca]

What an opportunity and what an awesome experience this would be in this day and age...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzZHOk_-Cc8


Story:
Historic overland journey by car from London to Singapore to be recreated after 64 years (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/historic-overland-journey-by-car-from-london-to-singapore-to-be-recreated-after-64-years)

[JDNSW]

Seems to me that some parts of the original trip have far too many people shooting at each other than I would like on a cross country trip!

[incisor]

couldnt be done these days as a lot of the roads have vanished as they werent looked after.

sad really

[JDNSW]

A lot of the roads were none too good for the original first overland either. Some bits had had no maintenance in the ten years since the war - and that's enough in the tropics.

[blackrangie]

This is interesting timing, anyone know anything about this journey original or current. Nice Jerrys [emoji6]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190825/2979cbad78ec9e1e50866c9b39b9959a.jpg

[Old Farang]

This is interesting timing, anyone know anything about this journey original or current. Nice Jerrys https://emoji.tapatalk-cdn.com/emoji6.png

It has been posted previously on another thread that I cannot find just now.


The Last Overland (https://www.lastoverland.com/)

[JDNSW]

This is interesting timing, anyone know anything about this journey original or current. Nice Jerrys

"First Overland" was an expedition by a group from Oxford and Cambridge Universities from London to Singapore, in two Series 1s, in, if I remember correctly, 1956. A book was written about it called "First Overland". Supposed to be the first to drive the whole distance (bar a couple of ferry trips), made possible by Japanese and Allied roadbuilding during WW2 linking Bangladesh-Myanmar-Thailand-Malaysia; but some of these roads had had no maintenance nor traffic for a decade, and the jungle had taken over.

Again, from memory, since I can't locate the book immediately, the vehicles were loaned and prepared by Rover. The one shown in your picture was located and partly restored fairly recently.

[travelrover]

"First Overland" was an expedition by a group from Oxford and Cambridge Universities from London to Singapore, in two Series 1s, in, if I remember correctly, 1956. A book was written about it called "First Overland". Supposed to be the first to drive the whole distance (bar a couple of ferry trips), made possible by Japanese and Allied roadbuilding during WW2 linking Bangladesh-Myanmar-Thailand-Malaysia; but some of these roads had had no maintenance nor traffic for a decade, and the jungle had taken over.

Again, from memory, since I can't locate the book immediately, the vehicles were loaned and prepared by Rover. The one shown in your picture was located and partly restored fairly recently.

Here’s the book

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190825/e330b29650fb6994bb41bc2db27c459d.jpg

Great read...

[DiscoMick]

I must buy that book. Thanks for the heads-up.

[DiscoMick]

It would be particularly interesting to recreate parts of the journey, including through India and Myanmar, although I have read that some sections are either derelict or closed because of terrorists in both India and Myanmar. The Myanmar bits were built by the Americans to move supplies from India to China in WWII despite the Japanese invasion of Myanmar. That was a particularly nasty campaign and deserves more publicity.

[AK83]

And if you're interested, the David Attenborough/BBC doco from 2005.
(on Youtube)


https://youtu.be/k75g0XuF36U

[101RRS]

Does anyone know why they chose 86 station wagons rather than say basic 86s or 107s. I guess one reason could have been that the SWs had hardtops with tropical roofs and was one of the few lockable landies of the era.

At the time SWB SWs were incredibly expensive - something like the equivalent of a FFRR now.

Garry

[blackrangie]

So the series is going, will the other 2 defenders be new ones?

Anyone got word, I've only seen pics of the series so far.

[JDNSW]

Does anyone know why they chose 86 station wagons rather than say basic 86s or 107s. I guess one reason could have been that the SWs had hardtops with tropical roofs and was one of the few lockable landies of the era.

At the time SWB SWs were incredibly expensive - something like the equivalent of a FFRR now.

Garry

I'm pretty certain that Rover provided the vehicles, so cost would not have been an issue. Locks were an option right from the start of the 86, I believe, although rare because of the pointlessness of locking a soft top, and hard tops were rare. Certainly by the time the 88 was produced, although probably a bit hard to be certain after this lapse of time.

[101RRS]

Thanks John - certainly the SWB Station Wagons came with locks on all doors and windows as standard.

[Old Farang]

Does anyone know why they chose 86 station wagons rather than say basic 86s or 107s. I guess one reason could have been that the SWs had hardtops with tropical roofs and was one of the few lockable landies of the era.

At the time SWB SWs were incredibly expensive - something like the equivalent of a FFRR now. Garry
Both Land Rovers were given "on loan" from the Land Rover factory. I have no idea why they used the SWB cars, possibly because the factory did not have LWB cars available at the time. The camera gear was provided free from the BBC per courtesy of David Attenborough.

[Old Farang]

There is a couple of good photos at the following link, along with some comments:


The Last Overland project aims to return an Oxford-Cambridge Land Rover fromSingapore to London

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2019/06/11/the-last-overland-project-aims-to-return-an-oxford-cambridge-land-rover-from-singapore-to-London/

[Old Farang]

There is a good photo at the following, and a list of sponsors:

Supporters of the Expedition — The Last Overland (https://www.lastoverland.com/supporters)

[Old Farang]

Here is the route the expedition is taking, also showing the original route:

The Route — The Last Overland (https://www.lastoverland.com/route)

[JDNSW]

Avoiding almost all of the Middle East! Not sure why they are avoiding France though.

The original route steered clear of the Iron Curtain. And stuck as far as possible to the bits that were red in the atlas.

[Old Farang]

Here is the start yesterday in Singapore. Still not sure about the escort Defenders, as the vehicles shown in the video are some of the local club escort.

Singapore to London in 100 days: The Last Overland expedition | Video - CNA (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-to-london-in-100-days-the-last-overland-expedition-11841094)

They are coming through Thailand, but despite subscribing to their website, plus sending a text to the local Bangkok dealer, I am not sure just when and where.

Not sure what the extra gearstick is that old Tim has his hand on. Can only assume it may be the winch control?

[DiscoMick]

What a fascinating adventure. Thanks for pointing it out. I've subscribed for updates.

I note they're avoiding the original Burma Road route. I read it's either dilapidated or has terrorists.

It would be great if this adventure confirmed a feasible overland route from Asia to Europe, particularly across Myanmar. One day...

[JDNSW]

Here is the start yesterday in Singapore. Still not sure about the escort Defenders, as the vehicles shown in the video are some of the local club escort.

Singapore to London in 100 days: The Last Overland expedition | Video - CNA (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-to-london-in-100-days-the-last-overland-expedition-11841094)

They are coming through Thailand, but despite subscribing to their website, plus sending a text to the local Bangkok dealer, I am not sure just when and where.

Not sure what the extra gearstick is that old Tim has his hand on. Can only assume it may be the winch control?

I would have thought overdrive. The PTO control on Series 1 is though a hatch under the centre seat.

[Old Farang]

I would have thought overdrive. The PTO control on Series 1 is though a hatch under the centre seat.
I don't think overdrives were even a twinkle in the designers eyes around that time. Yes, the PTO lever was under the middle seat, and as they had Buddha only knows what other items stored in that area, they extended the control to the outside of the seat.

[JDNSW]

Do you know that? I still haven't found my copy of the book, even if is mentioned in that. Don't forget this vehicle has been in use for much of the last sixty years since the expedition, and it is quite possible that overdrive has been added at some time. I don't know when the overdrive became available, but my memory says I knew about them around the time the S2 was introduced.

[AK83]

I don't think overdrives were even a twinkle in the designers eyes around that time. ......

If you stop that news video at the point where Tim takes his hand off the lever, and then places his hand on the high low lever, you can see it's a Roverdrive and has a triangular arrow pointed forward.
So like JDNSW says, retrofitted at some point.

[Old Farang]

Do you know that? I still haven't found my copy of the book, even if is mentioned in that. Don't forget this vehicle has been in use for much of the last sixty years since the expedition, and it is quite possible that overdrive has been added at some time. I don't know when the overdrive became available, but my memory says I knew about them around the time the S2 was introduced.
Is that right? Being so knowledgeable maybe you can explain how you can fit both an overdrive AND a PTO drive to the same gearbox mounting point?

[Old Farang]

If you stop that news video at the point where Tim takes his hand off the lever, and then places his hand on the high low lever, you can see it's a Roverdrive and has a triangular arrow pointed forward.
So like JDNSW says, retrofitted at some point.
And why would it be necessary to check which position it is in before starting the engine? I had an overdrive on my old 2 door Range Rover, and it didn't care which gear it was in when starting the engine. In addition, I also had a Series 1 and it was all out struggling to pull itself around in 4th gear, never mind attempting an overdrive!

[JDNSW]

Unless I am mistaken there is a (rare) bottom PTO especially designed for front winches, that replaces the bottom plate on the transfer case, and has a gear that engages the constant mesh gear. It has a either forward or rear facing output flange. (confirmed this is listed in a 1962 optional equipment catalogue which I have) I would comment that I have never seen one in the flesh (or metal!).

[101RRS]

Are those winches driven by PTO from the transfer case - or via a dog clutch arrangement off the front of the engine? I doubt it would be driven from the top PTO position on the tfr case - too convoluted to get the drive to the front but suspect as John suggested from the lower position like PTO drives on the LT95 gearbox. My LT95 has an overdrive and a PTO from the bottom of the tfr case.

It is a shame the second grey SW disappeared (wrecked) after the original trip.

I want one of their sunvisors and roof rack - both are now extremely rare period accessories.

Garry

[Old Farang]

Are those winches driven by PTO from the transfer case - or via a dog clutch arrangement off the front of the engine? I doubt it would be driven from the top PTO position on the tfr case - too convoluted to get the drive to the front but suspect as John suggested from the lower position like PTO drives on the LT95 gearbox. My LT95 has an overdrive and a PTO from the bottom of the tfr case.

It is a shame the second grey SW disappeared (wrecked) after the original trip.

I want one of their sunvisors and roof rack - both are now extremely rare period accessories.

Garry
Defiantly PTO driven winch. The capstan type were driven off the front of the engine. It appears to be a worm type gearbox, which would have made it a very useful powerful item.

Hopefully, I can catch up with them as they pass through here and see exactly what it is.

[Old Farang]

A short extract from the book:


The Impossible Journey | One Life | Land Rover UK (https://www.landrover.co.uk/explore-land-rover/one-life/heritage/impossible-journey.html)



On arrival, an English-language newspaper heralded the expedition as: “A boat race on wheels”. Reporting on the sizeable winches on the front of each vehicle, it said that the expedition was equipped with “two very powerful wenches”.

[Old Farang]

Fairey Aviation Company - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Aviation_Company)

Land Rover hubs and overdrives[edit (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php'title=Fairey_Aviation_Company&action=edit&section=10)]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Fairey_overdrive.jpg/220px-Fairey_overdrive.jpg (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fairey_overdrive.jpg)

A Fairey mechanical overdrive, as fitted to an early Range Rover (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Range_Rover_Classic).


In the post-war period, from the late 1950s onwards, Fairey acquired Mayflower Automotive Products, including their factory in Tavistock (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tavistock), Devon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devon), and with it the designs of its products, including winch (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winches) and free-wheeling front hubs for Land Rover (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover) vehicles. By the 1970s Fairey was manufacturing a wide range of winches, covering mechanical, hydraulic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulics) and electric drive and capstan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capstan_and_Bowstring)/drum configurations. Fairey winches formed the bulk of the manufacturer-approved winch options for Land Rover throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.In 1975 Fairey designed and manufactured a mechanical overdrive (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdrive_(mechanics)) unit for Land Rovers. Vehicles fitted with the unit carried a badge on the rear saying "Overdrive by Fairey", with the Fairey logo (see above).This branch of products effectively ceased in the early 1980s when new product development at Land Rover and a trend for manufacturers to build accessories in-house forced Fairey to drop out of the sector. The American company Superwinch bought the Tavistock works and continued making Fairey-designed winches for a few years. The site is now Superwinch's European base and manufacturing facility. Fairey-designed hydraulic winches are still in production, but the large majority of manufacture is of Superwinch-designed electric drum winches. The Fairey Overdrive is still in production in America.

[AK83]

And why would it be necessary to check which position it is in before starting the engine? I had an overdrive on my old 2 door Range Rover, and it didn't care which gear it was in when starting the engine. In addition, I also had a Series 1 and it was all out struggling to pull itself around in 4th gear, never mind attempting an overdrive!

Sorry, zero tech knowledge of PTO driven winches and ODs.
Just commenting on what I noticed in the vid.

So at that point you see on the lever that it says Roverdrive .. from that I assume the OD made by them.
Also, at about the 49sec mark in the new video, it has a wider shot of the front of the S1, if you click the fullscreen mode for the video, you can see that the winch has no cable and no hook, which one could assume that it's probably broken/dead/seized or whatever in the years between 1955 and now.

So it's not an impossible situation that with the PTO driven winch (possibly) being out of service, a previous owner may have then fitted a Roverdrive and the winch is just for looks!

And on the topic of how or if an overloaded S1 could pull 4th in OD, I always thought that the OD worked in all gears(high and low too) .. so if it'd struggle in 4th with no OD, then having the option to use 3rd + OD may work up some hills .. and so on, 2nd +OD in some situations .. etc.
Just like RoadRangers in trucks .. you can never have too many gears!

ps, I wouldn't place too much credence on the value of the 'checking of the position of levers and stuff prior to starting(as seen in the vid) .. that's almost certainly a request from the video producer for Tim to 'do something' whilst they captured footage of him.

ie. move a lever or put the key in .. or whatever .... just to create content. Just a part of making videos.

[JDNSW]

As I pointed out above, the overdrive was very unlikely to have been fitted during the original expedition. Not really relative, but the Fairey overdrive is supposed to be only used in 3rd and 4th (I don't know about the Roverdrive), but it can, of course, be used in low range, where it is useful for "splitting" gears.

[Old Farang]

Caught up with expedition today in Bangkok. Not able to get to the bottom of the winch, except that it is made by "Koenig", a US company. It has an input shaft lined up with, but not connected to, the front of the engine. BUT, if I understood correctly it has a second input shaft which was originally connected to the center PTO. The company still produces winches and there are many different models if you search the internet.

Yes, the overdrive is a later addition, not fitted on the original expedition. The car is carrying very little weight this time, only the two petrol tanks and two people, so the overdrive can by used most of the time. The original drive for the winch was removed to fit the overdrive.

The two Defenders are carrying all the spares and equipment. 1 SWB and 1 LWB car. Didn't find out what engines they have.

10% There: Singapore–London Last Overland Journey Makes Pitstop in Bangkok (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2019/09/02/10-there-singapore-london-last-overland-journey-makes-pitstop-in-bangkok/)

The girl doing the interview was a big help to me getting access, although it was open to the public.

[SBD4]

Posted on their youtube channel last night:


https://youtu.be/g4q-hYPvpf0

[Lakey]

Not wanting to take anything from the original expedition as it would still have been an adventure.

But has anyone heard of Francis Birtles? Francis Birtles - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Birtles)

London to Australia in a Bean (slightly customised) in 1927. I read, I think it was the Peter Wherrett, biography a few years back. Pretty amazing trip before any roads existed in many places through Asia.

[Old Farang]

Not wanting to take anything from the original expedition as it would still have been an adventure.

But has anyone heard of Francis Birtles? Francis Birtles - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Birtles)

London to Australia in a Bean (slightly customised) in 1927. I read, I think it was the Peter Wherrett, biography a few years back. Pretty amazing trip before any roads existed in many places through Asia.
Not heard of him, but here is another:

One Thai Man’s Epic Overland Journey from the UK to Bangkok in 1970 (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2019/09/10/one-thai-mans-epic-overland-journey-from-the-uk-to-bangkok-in-1970/)

[JDNSW]

I,ve heard of Birtles, but I don't think he did the key bit through Burma that "First Overland" did.

[gromit]

I,ve heard of Birtles, but I don't think he did the key bit through Burma that "First Overland" did.

I'll have to re-read the book I have on his exploits.
He did cycle across Australia without support.

Colin

[gromit]

I,ve heard of Birtles, but I don't think he did the key bit through Burma that "First Overland" did.

Sorry for the thread hijack....
Francis Birtles tried & failed in an Imperial 6 from England to Australia and eventually made it in the 'Sundowner' (Bean) Francis Birtles Australia’s greatest overlander (https://www.whichcar.com.au/explore/francis-birtles-australias-greatest-overlander)

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ2Rh71xbe--w90Ts2LNGXU1zBHuTbPwB-fWWV0DiHM7uVbTR7iPw

He had a slightly harder time than the crew of First Overland.
There were no roads in a lot of areas but he crossed the Naga Hills. A month to advance 58km on one section.
At one point he removed the axle & flipped it over to get 4 reverse & 1 forward gear but importantly the forward gear was lower ratio than 1st gear.

Book written by Warren Brown Francis Birtles: Australian Adventurer by Warren Brown - Books - Hachette Australia (https://www.hachette.com.au/warren-brown/francis-birtles-australian-adventurer)

The car still exists, it's in the National Museum of Australia
Birtles and the Sundowner car | National Museum of Australia (https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/collection/highlights/birtles-sundowner-car)


Colin

[Old Farang]

New movie star!


Khaosod English - A team of adventurers is driving from... | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/536126593072944/posts/2714316035253978'sfns=mo)


Khaosod English (http://www.khaosodenglish.com/)




ast Overland's Pitstop in Bangkok OTW from Singapore to London

[Old Farang]

Latest progress update:

Gmail (https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=25f096b221&view=lg&permmsgid=msg-f:1645366343747369189)

[Old Farang]

Latest progress update:

Gmail (https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=25f096b221&view=lg&permmsgid=msg-f:1647264258304033837)

[101RRS]

Latest progress update:

Gmail (https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=25f096b221&view=lg&permmsgid=msg-f:1647264258304033837)

What is the link - seems to be just a link to create a Gmail account. Looks like spam.

Garry

[Old Farang]

What is the link - seems to be just a link to create a Gmail account. Looks like spam.

Garry

The same as the previous posted link.
The Last Overland: Tales from the Road, Vol. 4

[101RRS]

It is spam as well, trying to sign me up to a gmail account with no reference to the topic.

When I click on your gmail links this is what comes up
154924

[Old Farang]

It is spam as well, trying to sign me up to a gmail account with no reference to the topic.

When I click on your gmail links this is what comes up
154924
I have no control over what Gmail may do, just as I have no control over how LRO displays the link. As nobody else has complained about it, OR the previous post, just MAYBE the problem is your system. If you are not happy with it take it up with Admin!

[speleomike]

The Gmail link is suss. Don't do what it asks.

[Homestar]

Hang on fellas, let’s not go shoot anyone quite yet - the link was posted in good faith but doesn’t do what was intended is all. We’re trying to help resolve this now.

[gromit]

Here's a newsletter on the journey so far The Last Overland: Tales from the Road, Vol. 5 (https://mailchi.mp/e27da291aa86/the-last-overland-tales-from-the-road-817043)

You can also view earlier newsletters.


Colin

[jonesy61]

They should be home by now...any extra news?

[Old Farang]

I gave up trying to post. I don't do Farcebook, but I think it is at the following:

https://en-gb.facebook.com/thelastoverland/

[DiscoMick]

Aren't they in the USA now?

[grey_ghost]

The car is in NZ.

Landybitz is looking at bringing it into OZ.

Cheers,
GG