serialNSXer
Greetings
Being a complete newbie to vehicle dependent expeditions, and Land Rovers in general, I thought to convey to this forum the experience my family and I had into Mexico. Last month, my wife and two teenage sons accompanied me in our newly built Defender on a VDE to the Mayan ruins in Mexico. We convoyed with Peter Sweetser and his son Oliver in their oh-so-original Camel Trophy Defender. Though the pictures tell the best parts of the story, I thought to add a few paragraphs as below.
To suggest that we were on a tight and aggressive schedule is putting it mildly. From South Florida up the panhandle, through Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and all the way down through Texas to cross the border at Brownsville. Then through Mexico and high-tailing it originally to Belize and Guatemala, with our final destination at Tikal. All this and back again...in two weeks!? What were we thinking?
For most of the way through the US we were at terminal velocity for two heavily laden, underpowered, trucks. But we still managed 65-70mph along this route. Crossing into Mexico is a whole other story. It was slow going for me as I didn't know how to maneuver nearly 2.5 tons of truck on badly canted roads. That is, when there were paved roads. So, one of the things we learned early-on is that VDE is all about making up the route as you go along. And so we did. Having met two gentlemen on their drive back from Guatemala and Tikal, they warned us that security and border problems made that part of the journey arduous. So our new plan was to swing by the Mayan ruins at El Tajin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Tajin) , with an ultimate destination of a Palenque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palenque).
All during this, the Land Rover was an absolute juggernaut. It is my 79th vehicle I've owned since beginning driving at age 16. And with a backdrop of having Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, and a plethora of both muscle cars and out-and-out race cars, I can freely admit that a Defender is an absolute gem of a vehicle. It's so "old school," which is exactly what I love about it, in this world of technology driven vehicle design. Boring. A Porsche is a marvelous car, but antiseptic compared to the fully engaged experience of a Land Rover. I guess I'm getting old when I appreciate a Defender over my Porsche race car. But there you have it, the experience of traveling with your family, kids whining and all, to a Mayan ruin, is -- as they say, priceless. The Defender didn't miss a beat the entire 5,000 mile journey. Of course we had fully prepared it with cold air-conditioning and all the amenities one could require for such a trip. We had even over prepared the 110 as it was to be our vehicle for a round-the-world trip scheduled for 2011.
But, you folks on this forum already know what I learned. That such expeditions never turn out as you plan, and you learn so much more you didn't expect to learn. And so it was for us. We made mental notes along the way in Mexico of what our journey would be on our 18-month global expedition to follow. So much so that it looks like we will start from London instead of South America, in a different vehicle prepared for a slightly different VDE. A newer Defender that is more conducive to a pair of old fogies into their 50s. I think my wife and I learned that air-conditioning is more than a blessing, closer to a necessity, to help us sleep through the night. And squatting for #1 or #2 behind a bush just ain't going to cut it for my Mrs.
Possibly, we can invent a whole new kind of VDE for others to follow? A more gentler VDE, one that tracks a route first through Europe as a way to get comfortable with overlanding. Staying in B&Bs instead of schlepping up and down a ladder to tent for the night. Then, cross into northern Africa where there is a mature expedition industry. Next, putting the truck on the water towards safari country near South Africa. And again on the water headed towards Asia, followed by the last stop in Australia, before returning back to the good ol' US of A. We expect not to spend too many nights camping or tenting, instead looking for a bed and breakfast which offers a quaintness all its own. Not to mention a fully functional bathroom -- as my wife continually points out.
So the long and short of it is that our current 110, Elliott, is up for sale to a good home. Being a realist, I don't expect to recoup 110% of what I put into building out this vehicle for expeditions. For those more interested, I can provide the contact of Peter Sweetser, who built it with an "open checkbook" policy for the build. Peter is the general manager of Land Rover in Tampa. His head mechanic Bill did all the work personally. Bill trained in South Africa and worked on more Defenders than he cares to remember. Our team goal after I purchased Elliott was to remove the bling-bling and put the truck back to stock. With the exception of what all of us would call smart modifications. To answer the $64K question, I have about $68,500 into the vehicle now. Some of the bling that came off the truck also flows to the new owner. This includes up words are $5,000 stereo gear.
Once Elliott is sold, we began our search in Europe for a 25-year-old, LHD, diesel 110. We will use this as the donor vehicle for 100% correct Defender build out using newer parts. The intention is to build a Camel Trophy clone, in CT yellow. I am not sure where the world is headed but I do know that the stock color white -- in certain parts of the world -- bring out a sniper rifle. And, I want to enjoy my experience, so white is out and Camel Trophy yellow is in. Moreover, I have read and heard that whenever people see a CT yellow defender it brings out smiles, rather than weapons. I can't think of a better reason to build a Camel Trophy clone than the traveling safety of my wife and I.
Below is the original advert from http://www.britrover.com/ whom I bought the Defender from and who was terrific to work with.
Body Style 4DR
Mileage 164450
Exterior Color Alpine White
Interior Color Charcoal twill-effect Vinyl
Engine 3.9 litre V8
Transmission Manual
Drive Type Permanent 4-wheel Drive
Fuel Type Petrol
Stereo
Doors
Stock No C134A
VIN SALDH1289PA921813
Additional information:
1993 North American Specification Defender 110, #451/500. Alpine White with Charcoal grey interior. Updated 4.6 litre Rover V8 motor. Fully Hannibal roof rack with side-awning and roof mounted tent. Front ARB Brush bar with integrated winch capability. 2 inch Suspension lift with aggressive tires, Rock Sliders, and an onboard water storage tank. Substantial audio and built in Garmin Navigation systems. Other extras include Secondary Air Conditioning and an ARB Refrigerator/ Freezer. Fully rebuilt and restored to handle any adverse condition or terrain. L-o-t-s of mods and updates since I bought it, over $20K worth.
If anyone is interested in contacting me about this expedition equipped Defender please e-mail anil.sethi@xlipstream.com I will immediately put you in touch with Peter Sweetser who can give you all the gory details.
If you are serious and fair, we will arrive at a deal.
Being a complete newbie to vehicle dependent expeditions, and Land Rovers in general, I thought to convey to this forum the experience my family and I had into Mexico. Last month, my wife and two teenage sons accompanied me in our newly built Defender on a VDE to the Mayan ruins in Mexico. We convoyed with Peter Sweetser and his son Oliver in their oh-so-original Camel Trophy Defender. Though the pictures tell the best parts of the story, I thought to add a few paragraphs as below.
To suggest that we were on a tight and aggressive schedule is putting it mildly. From South Florida up the panhandle, through Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and all the way down through Texas to cross the border at Brownsville. Then through Mexico and high-tailing it originally to Belize and Guatemala, with our final destination at Tikal. All this and back again...in two weeks!? What were we thinking?
For most of the way through the US we were at terminal velocity for two heavily laden, underpowered, trucks. But we still managed 65-70mph along this route. Crossing into Mexico is a whole other story. It was slow going for me as I didn't know how to maneuver nearly 2.5 tons of truck on badly canted roads. That is, when there were paved roads. So, one of the things we learned early-on is that VDE is all about making up the route as you go along. And so we did. Having met two gentlemen on their drive back from Guatemala and Tikal, they warned us that security and border problems made that part of the journey arduous. So our new plan was to swing by the Mayan ruins at El Tajin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Tajin) , with an ultimate destination of a Palenque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palenque).
All during this, the Land Rover was an absolute juggernaut. It is my 79th vehicle I've owned since beginning driving at age 16. And with a backdrop of having Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, and a plethora of both muscle cars and out-and-out race cars, I can freely admit that a Defender is an absolute gem of a vehicle. It's so "old school," which is exactly what I love about it, in this world of technology driven vehicle design. Boring. A Porsche is a marvelous car, but antiseptic compared to the fully engaged experience of a Land Rover. I guess I'm getting old when I appreciate a Defender over my Porsche race car. But there you have it, the experience of traveling with your family, kids whining and all, to a Mayan ruin, is -- as they say, priceless. The Defender didn't miss a beat the entire 5,000 mile journey. Of course we had fully prepared it with cold air-conditioning and all the amenities one could require for such a trip. We had even over prepared the 110 as it was to be our vehicle for a round-the-world trip scheduled for 2011.
But, you folks on this forum already know what I learned. That such expeditions never turn out as you plan, and you learn so much more you didn't expect to learn. And so it was for us. We made mental notes along the way in Mexico of what our journey would be on our 18-month global expedition to follow. So much so that it looks like we will start from London instead of South America, in a different vehicle prepared for a slightly different VDE. A newer Defender that is more conducive to a pair of old fogies into their 50s. I think my wife and I learned that air-conditioning is more than a blessing, closer to a necessity, to help us sleep through the night. And squatting for #1 or #2 behind a bush just ain't going to cut it for my Mrs.
Possibly, we can invent a whole new kind of VDE for others to follow? A more gentler VDE, one that tracks a route first through Europe as a way to get comfortable with overlanding. Staying in B&Bs instead of schlepping up and down a ladder to tent for the night. Then, cross into northern Africa where there is a mature expedition industry. Next, putting the truck on the water towards safari country near South Africa. And again on the water headed towards Asia, followed by the last stop in Australia, before returning back to the good ol' US of A. We expect not to spend too many nights camping or tenting, instead looking for a bed and breakfast which offers a quaintness all its own. Not to mention a fully functional bathroom -- as my wife continually points out.
So the long and short of it is that our current 110, Elliott, is up for sale to a good home. Being a realist, I don't expect to recoup 110% of what I put into building out this vehicle for expeditions. For those more interested, I can provide the contact of Peter Sweetser, who built it with an "open checkbook" policy for the build. Peter is the general manager of Land Rover in Tampa. His head mechanic Bill did all the work personally. Bill trained in South Africa and worked on more Defenders than he cares to remember. Our team goal after I purchased Elliott was to remove the bling-bling and put the truck back to stock. With the exception of what all of us would call smart modifications. To answer the $64K question, I have about $68,500 into the vehicle now. Some of the bling that came off the truck also flows to the new owner. This includes up words are $5,000 stereo gear.
Once Elliott is sold, we began our search in Europe for a 25-year-old, LHD, diesel 110. We will use this as the donor vehicle for 100% correct Defender build out using newer parts. The intention is to build a Camel Trophy clone, in CT yellow. I am not sure where the world is headed but I do know that the stock color white -- in certain parts of the world -- bring out a sniper rifle. And, I want to enjoy my experience, so white is out and Camel Trophy yellow is in. Moreover, I have read and heard that whenever people see a CT yellow defender it brings out smiles, rather than weapons. I can't think of a better reason to build a Camel Trophy clone than the traveling safety of my wife and I.
Below is the original advert from http://www.britrover.com/ whom I bought the Defender from and who was terrific to work with.
Body Style 4DR
Mileage 164450
Exterior Color Alpine White
Interior Color Charcoal twill-effect Vinyl
Engine 3.9 litre V8
Transmission Manual
Drive Type Permanent 4-wheel Drive
Fuel Type Petrol
Stereo
Doors
Stock No C134A
VIN SALDH1289PA921813
Additional information:
1993 North American Specification Defender 110, #451/500. Alpine White with Charcoal grey interior. Updated 4.6 litre Rover V8 motor. Fully Hannibal roof rack with side-awning and roof mounted tent. Front ARB Brush bar with integrated winch capability. 2 inch Suspension lift with aggressive tires, Rock Sliders, and an onboard water storage tank. Substantial audio and built in Garmin Navigation systems. Other extras include Secondary Air Conditioning and an ARB Refrigerator/ Freezer. Fully rebuilt and restored to handle any adverse condition or terrain. L-o-t-s of mods and updates since I bought it, over $20K worth.
If anyone is interested in contacting me about this expedition equipped Defender please e-mail anil.sethi@xlipstream.com I will immediately put you in touch with Peter Sweetser who can give you all the gory details.
If you are serious and fair, we will arrive at a deal.