Ah. Old Volkswagens. They do bring out some pretty nostalgic feelings in everyone. Usually some people just use them on weekend drives around their neighbourhood. Old Beetles and original Kombi Transporter vans get used sparingly by their owners and kept in pristine condition. But not these bunch of valiant people led by Mr Stephen Pang. They are on their way to Germany using 4 classic Volkswagens - three Kombis and a Beetle.
Mr Cameron Wilson, Managing Director of CTM giving his opening speech
Continental Tyre Malaysia (CTM) has decided to collaborate with these brave local professionals in making an adventure of a lifetime across continents travelling from Malaysia to Germany. The #Live2Drive journey is estimated to take about 6 months duration starting in March right up to late August with an estimated distance of 27,000km across 20 countries, through China, Mongolia, Trans-Siberia highway, Europe and finally reaching Hessisch Oldendorf, Germany for the biggest Vintage Volkswagen Show. After Germany, they will head towards Iran and then ship their cars from there back to Malaysia. I suppose after such an epic drive. One would need a break from driving and take the easy way home. Still epic. I mean look at the vehicles these folks are using!
Mr. Cameron Wilson & Mr. Stephen Pang signing the tee shirt. Behind them are the couple who will drive the Beetle and beside them are the kind people of Wan Henz Corp who runs the Tyre and Service center you see here (located in Bandar Baru Bangi).
You can actually order this T-shirt in support of this trip as well as the children's homes which the group intend to visit along the way - RM60 each (contact details are in their Facebook page stated below).
Their objective is to inspire Malaysians to travel cross country by vehicle and at the same time, give back to society through various charity initiatives. They plan to stop at a few orphanages throughout Asia which are along the way. The crew of 5 brings along 10 years of road trip experience across South East Asia where they've actually taken their classic VWs to as far up as the Laos-China border. They are also key opinion leaders in the VW classic car community within South East Asia.
CTM is supporting their journey by sponsoring the tyres. Pretty obvious. The tyres that will go on the vehicles are the Continental UC6 and EC6 series of tyres. New tech tyres on old tech vehicles. The main reason of this sponsorship is to create awareness of the robustness and durability of Continental tyres through the various terrains and roads that the crew will be taking across the 20 countries. Moreover, CTM supports and encourages the various charity initiatives of the #Live2Drive crew through their journey.
These old VWs are quite robust. Of course, they do break down sometimes. The red Kombi is 50 years old and was actually late to this event. It was also the vehicle which was chosen to do the symbolic tyre change you see here. I suppose this all adds up to the stories that these five people can tell their friends about. The whole thing is quite epic in terms of preparation - One Kombi will carry all supplies that the participants need to rough it out. Another will carry spare engines and other vehicle essentials. We were also told that even the yellow Beetle you see here will have its own spare built-up engine and another one in pieces as spares. So imagine the logistics involved here folks.
I must also say that the friends and supporters of the participants are a great bunch. They turned up in force. You can see from the rare Karmann Ghia as well as the unique Kombi pick-up in the picks below. And you can also see a group of VW Club members from Indonesia holding up a banner too! Support is definitely regional for this trip.
If you are interested in following the group's trip they currently have a Facebook page - try searching for #Live2Drive @live2driveMy.
Good luck and all the best. And kudos to CTM for sponsoring the much needed tyres.
Swapping the original tyres for new ones - wheels and all
Wan Henz Corporation Sdn Bhd's tyre and service centre in Bandar Baru Bangi
Continental UC6, MAX Contact MC5 and CC6 tyres
The brave men, and woman, with Mr Cameron Wilson
Nice white Kombi Bus is another one of the Kombis going
Friends, family, VW Classic club members in full support
Jogjakarta VW club members showing support.
A German registered Mitsubishi Delica 4X4 - the owner has travelled from Germany to Malaysia and will depart to Singapore where the vehicle will be shipped to Canada where he will be driving all the way down to South America. Another chap on an epic road trip.
Beautiful Karmann Ghia and a Kombi pickup with Fuchs wheels
#LIVE2DRIVE Adventure Across Continents with
Continental Tyre Malaysia
Continental Tyre Malaysia making a mark through cross country initiative via
globetrotting Malaysian VW enthusiasts
4 Classic VW Vehicles making their way from Malaysia to Germany
Giving Back To The Children one stop at a time
Kuala Lumpur, 15th March. Continental Tyre Malaysia (CTM) ties with local
professionals in making an adventure of a lifetime across continents travelling from
Malaysia to Germany. The journey would entail a 6 months duration starting in
March right up to late August with an estimated 27,000km ride across 20 countries
through China, Mongolia, Trans-Siberia highway, Europe and finally reaching
Hessisch Oldendorf, Germany for the biggest Vintage Volkswagen Show. The
objective is to inspire Malaysians to travel cross country by vehicle and to give back
to society through various charity initiatives.
The crew of 5 brings along 10 years of road trip experience across South East Asia
and are the key opinion leaders in the VW classic car community within South East
Asia. CTM is supporting their journey to create awareness of the robustness and
durability of Continental tyres through the various terrains and roads that the crew will
be taking across the 20 countries. Moreover, CTM supports and encourages the
various charity initiatives of the #Live2Drive crew through their journey.
"We are extremely excited to support the #LIVE2DRIVE adventure and their
contribution to the community along the way. Continental tyres are trusted around
the world for quality, performance and for German Technology. Continental Tyre
Malaysia wishes the best for the #Live2Drive team on their exciting journey ahead."
said Mr Cameron Wilson, Managing Director of CTM.
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