Technical Crossing Africa in a Panda Twin-Air...

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Technical Crossing Africa in a Panda Twin-Air...

Philip Young

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Check out the latest on our attack on a World Record drive from Cape Town to London at www.Africarecordrun.com

We have decided to start in Cape Town and drive back as it offers slightly better chances of hitting the borders when they are still open. The record was set by the British Army in a factory Range Rover in 1983 - having driven the route twice recently, we think it could be just about beatable in the Twin-Air. The car is shaping up nicely, with a few sensible mods in the workshop, and will be shipped to Cape Town in December, hopefully starting out on Feb lst.

Uprated suspension is on, the taller tyres have lifted it up, and the underbody protection work is proceeding....comfy mods to the seats completed, but still a few things to attend to.
 
Check out the latest on our attack on a World Record drive from Cape Town to London at www.Africarecordrun.com

We have decided to start in Cape Town and drive back as it offers slightly better chances of hitting the borders when they are still open. The record was set by the British Army in a factory Range Rover in 1983 - having driven the route twice recently, we think it could be just about beatable in the Twin-Air. The car is shaping up nicely, with a few sensible mods in the workshop, and will be shipped to Cape Town in December, hopefully starting out on Feb lst.

Uprated suspension is on, the taller tyres have lifted it up, and the underbody protection work is proceeding....comfy mods to the seats completed, but still a few things to attend to.

What a fantastic little site you have put together there, really wish you all the best with the Panda!(y)
 
Couldn't agree more with Super Uwe, that's a great site you've created. Please keep us up to date with progress, I shall be watching with interest. I was planning to do something similar with my Panda MJ, but you've put my attempt to drive non stop from Manchester to Aberwystwyth in the shade.

Damn you!
 
The Royal Geographical Society in Kensington (a short hop up the street from South Ken tube station, its close to the Albert Hall), are unveiling the car on Tuesday, November 27th (10.30). A chance to see the car at close quarters and meet the crew.

Later that evening, the famous lecture-theatre (Dr. Livingstone, Scot of the Antartic, Shackleton, Darwin and others have all trod the boards and entertained with their travel adventure-stories), is being taken over for an evening of rally-films, including the London to Cape Town World Cup Rally that took place earlier this year. (the Panda is driving much the same route in reverse direction).

Over 200 tickets booked so far - you can attend, £15 a head and book via the Store section of www.endurorally.com
The famous Map Room is being converted into a bar so plenty of opportunity to socialise and talk to the crew.

www.africarecordrun.com will be updated with regular news.
 
Lots of last-minute little jobs stacking up, the car is now booked to be shipped out of Felixstowe in December, so little more than a month to get the preparation finished. Osram higher powered bulbs, extra electrical bits and pieces, good interior light and a map-light, sockets to charge up phones and cameras and GPS, waterproofing the electrics, the exhaust is now done - its the standard system, but skid plates here and there and its raised up some more, particularly at the back, which involved cutting more away through the rear bumper. We hope to test the sleeping arrangements with a 24 hour drive next weekend.

More at www.africarecordrun.com
 
Preparation nearly finished - Ace Cafe to Leeds and back as a test run this weekend.

We are supporting the charity, Farm Africa, in order to leave some lasting benefit in our wheeltracks. Farm Africa support local farmers and help upgrade techniques and knowledge and have numerous projects throughout our route - full information now up on our website at www.africarecordrun.com

What a cracking little car this is - excellent build-quality, nicely put together, and the Twin Air engine puts a smile on the faces of everyone who has driven it so far...Autocar magazine are to follow its progress and will be giving it extensive coverage, something to look out for.

Start date is set for February 2, the Panda is being shipped out mid-December to Cape Town.
 
Not far to go now, probably approaching Calais. Looks like its going to be a spectacular achievement.
 
They did it.

Top class.

WOnder what the average mpg was............
 
I'm surprised there's been so little official reaction from Fiat themselves. Could it be that this has stolen the thunder of the 4x4? After this they're going to have to do a vertical ascent of Everest to justify four-wheel drive. :D
Mike.
 
Excellent news, goes to show Fiats can perform and aren't the cars they once were.

To be honest I was rather sceptical for the choice of car, good job goes to the 3Ps..... now Fiat please take notes, the quality of suspension parts MUST be improved :p
 
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