Series Overland -London to Singapore re creation

[DeeJay]

This looks good. SBS Saturday night..The Last Overland recreates historic drive (https://www.theage.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/a-series-of-escalating-dares-historic-15-000km-drive-recreated-20230101-p5c9rp.html)

[gromit]

I'd seen it advertised, should be interesting.

There are clips of the original on YouTube First Overland Trailer - 1955 - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns7MIJLmov4)
Shame it wasn't really "the first overland" but never let the truth get in the way of a good story. It was still a good adventure involving Land Rovers.


Colin

[3toes]

Have watched the series and it comes recommended

[Tins]

Like others, I have Slessor's book. I'm curious as to just how they would "recreate" the trip. Guess I'll have to watch it and see.

PS: Love to see them "recreate" a Camel Trophy trip.

[gromit]

PS: Love to see them "recreate" a Camel Trophy trip.

It was a competition rather than a 'trip', just a couple of modern day problems....

You can't advertise cigarette brands and most major manufacturers wouldn't get involved because it wouldn't be seen as 'green', oh and the third reason would be cost.
Land Rover cancelled the G4 challenge due to rising costs.

Colin

[Tins]

It was a competition rather than a 'trip', just a couple of modern day problems....

You can't advertise cigarette brands and most major manufacturers wouldn't get involved because it wouldn't be seen as 'green', oh and the third reason would be cost.
Land Rover cancelled the G4 challenge due to rising costs.

Colin

Thanks Colin. I think I was aware of all that.

[RANDLOVER]

..............
Shame it wasn't really "the first overland" but never let the truth get in the way of a good story.........

Colin

Whatever do you mean, as they repeated that claim a few times, unless you are including horses, wagons, walking? IIRC they said the original expedition was 1st to drive London to Bangkok, never mind 1st London to Singapore.

[gromit]

Whatever do you mean, as they repeated that claim a few times, unless you are including horses, wagons, walking? IIRC they said the original expedition was 1st to drive London to Bangkok, never mind 1st London to Singapore.

Look up Francis Birtles.....

Colin

[gromit]

Francis Birtles: From London to Melbourne by Car - Australian National Maritime Museum (https://www.sea.museum/2011/10/20/francis-birtles-from-london-to-melbourne-by-car)


Colin

[JDNSW]

It is a long time since I have read Slessor's book, but I seem to remember that the "first" was simply the first between Europe and Singapore to use the new road just completed between Thailand and Malaya.

[gromit]

It is a long time since I have read Slessor's book, but I seem to remember that the "first" was simply the first between Europe and Singapore to use the new road just completed between Thailand and Malaya.

Hi John,
Birtles went from London to Singapore then shipped the Bean to Australia.
No roads for a lot of the trip.

Francis Birtles - www.dirtroaddiaries.com.au (https://dirtroaddiaries.com.au/historic-motoring/francis-birtles/)

It seems that Birtles has been forgotten in Australian motoring history.


Colin

[B.S.F.]

I've got 2 copies of the book. Left shows the description in the 2005 reprint, right the 1957 original.
I watched the first episode last Saturday and thought they were struggling to make it look interesting.
.W.

[Tins]

I've got 2 copies of the book. Left shows the description in the 2005 reprint, right the 1957 original.
I watched the first episode last Saturday and thought the were struggling to make it look interesting.
.W.

I have the one on the left, a 2015 print. I'm curious. The 1957 edition was first published by George G Harrap and Co. The Reader's Book Club often released abridged versions of popular books. Is your copy of the 1957 issue abridged? Like I said, just curious.

[B.S.F.]

I have the one on the left, a 2015 print. I'm curious. The 1957 edition was first published by George G Harrap and Co. The Reader's Book Club often released abridged versions of popular books. Is your copy of the 1957 issue abridged? Like I said, just curious.
Both copies have about 270 pages and apart from one or two different pictures have got the same content. The layout differs slightly, presumably because different printing techniques were used.
.W.

[RANDLOVER]

Hi John,
Birtles went from London to Singapore then shipped the Bean to Australia.
No roads for a lot of the trip.

Francis Birtles - www.dirtroaddiaries.com.au (https://dirtroaddiaries.com.au/historic-motoring/francis-birtles/)

It seems that Birtles has been forgotten in Australian motoring history.


Colin

I think there could be a technicality preventing him from claiming 1st overland to Bangkok/Singapore, in that he shipped the car twice, once from Greece to Egypt and later from Burma to Malaya.

[rover-56]

Francis Birtles: From London to Melbourne by Car - Australian National Maritime Museum (https://www.sea.museum/2011/10/20/francis-birtles-from-london-to-melbourne-by-car)


ColinHmm... my S1 did that - with 2 newlyweds on board.
Marriage didn't survive, wonder why.....[bighmmm]
Terry