It’s not everyday you get to know someone who has driven 16,000km in a 1955 Land Rover and it’s certainly almost impossible to find out that the same man wants to do it again after over 60 years; and at the golden age of 87.
It was back in 1955 when a team of six young men embarked on the Oxford & Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition known as The First Overland. The historic journey was completed in a brand new 1955 ‘Oxford’ Land Rover Series where they travelled 16,000km from London all the way to Singapore.
64 years after that very achievement, one of the original members want to attempt that task all over again. 87-year-old Tim Slessor will be driving the same 1955 ‘Oxford’ Land Rover series in from Singapore to London. This time, he’ll be attempting the drive together with 31-year-old award-winning filmmaker, Alex Bescoby.
The pair will be driving through three different continents and if all goes well, they will complete the 16,000km journey in 100 days. This expedition will be called The Last Overland using the same vehicle which has been fully restored and unveiled yesterday at the Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Singapore.
According to Tim Slessor during the unveiling event, “The intention is, come late August, to drive her from Singapore back to the UK – overland once more. As I get older, I have been bothered by a recurring and nagging whisper: ‘Go for it – before it’s too late.’ Which is why I am here today – I am 87, and if I don’t do It now, I may never get another chance. After all, as that whisper reminds me, ‘you’re only here once.’ So, I am hoping to be aboard old SNX891 come August. If you like, it’s a case of ‘this Old Man helps take the Old Lady home.’”
The Last Overland will set off from Singapore’s F1 pit straight in Marina Bay on 25 August 2019 fully escorted to the country’s border with Malaysia by a parade of other Land Rovers driven by local enthusiasts, including members of the group, Land Rover Owners Singapore. Now that is a proper man right there, folks. World-class.
Land Rover Celebrates 70th Anniversary With “Above & Beyond Tour” In Malaysia
