Legendary Overland Drive from London to Singapore commemorated

The five surviving members reunited in Singapore to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that historic feat. Land Rover enthusiasts from Singapore and Malaysia commemorated their accomplishments by re-enacting the last leg of their legendary journey, travelling 350km from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.

Six months and six days after leaving London, the two series 1 Land Rovers arrived in Singapore after travelling through Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Persia, Asia and South East Asia. The expedition encountered the most difficult of terrain from dessert to snow in mountainous regions through some of the most exotic and far-flung destinations, some now unreachable due to conflict and others forever changed.

Tim Slessor, a member of the expedition ended up writing a book about it, called First Overland. He said, “The most memorable portion of the expedition was the night that we finally got through for the last part in Thailand. There was no road for 100 miles. There were bull dozers which were meant to plot the road. We struggled for nearly 20 hours just to complete 100 miles.”

The expedition members marvelled at the change in Singapore. Antony Barrington Brown, the chief cameraman and doctor during the expedition, said, “When we got to Singapore I took a picture of Tim (Slessor) walking past the edge of the sea…the same spot has been reclaimed now and the coastline is like a mile beyond.”

Over the weekend, a convoy of more than 60 Land Rovers from Singapore and Malaysia paid tribute to the adventurers, rumbling through Singapore in a formidable procession that started from the old Ford Factory.

The convoy ended at the home of Land Rover in Singapore, Vantage Automotive Centre (Regent Motors Limited) where fans were treated to a BBC documentary featuring footage filmed by the adventurers during their journey.

The film told a story of history and adventure, including a heart stopping moment when the Land Rovers had to crawl one at a time over a long rickety suspension bridge, each driver having to trust that the bridge would not collapse and send him into the deep and rocky ravine below.

The Land Rover enthusiasts were clearly in awe of the adventurers and their achievement and proud to be part of the Land Rover tradition fifty years on. Said Janie Leong, Manager, who used her Land Rover to deliver Tsunami aid to Thailand: “This is a great opportunity for land rover owners to come together and celebrate. It definitely is a very meaningful interaction for everybody.”

Land Rover remains proud of their investment in the expedition fifty years ago. As Simon Elliott, Regional Business Manager of Land Rover Asia - Importer Markets, said: “It was a brilliant investment with Land Rover enjoying returns of many times over. They managed to convince the Iranian Army to purchase 500 units of the Series 1 during their stopover in Iran!”

The First Overland expedition team is celebrating its 50th anniversary of its arrival in Singapore courtesy of Cathay Pacific, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Source: Land Rover
Photos: Courtesy of Soulbreathpictures

Credits: epicurean