The Last Overland expedition by the 1955 Oxford Land Rover from London to Singapore, arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the 26th of August 2019 after flagging off in Singapore on the 25th of August. This very unique Land Rover expedition team started their journey from Singapore to London on Sunday and it, in some ways traces what could be one of the most historic automotive events of the 20th Century. The team aims to recreate the original 1955 route charted by The Oxford & Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition (The First Overland). And this, is the Last Overland, which basically uses one of the two Land Rover Series I used in the First Overland expedition. Do watch the video attached below as you can see how unique the Series I featured here.
The team of eight, including Nat George, grandson of Tim Slessor (a member of The First Overland), and Singaporean Larry Leong, will drive the original 1955 ‘Oxford’ Land Rover Series I used in The First Overland. The Oxford was one of two Series I 86 inch 'Station Wagon', the other being the Cambridge. In its current form, the Oxford, is beautiful. As someone who appreciates patina on machinery, this one sits high up the list in terms of being the ultimate patina-ed machine.
Between 1955 and 1956, a team of six young men embarked on The Oxford & Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition (The First Overland),and made history by being the first to successfully drive the 10,000 miles from London to Singapore. Now, 64 years later, a member from that first expedition, Tim Slessor (age 87) joined by award-winning film-maker, Alex Bescoby (age 31), will take the original 1955 ‘Oxford Land Rover Series I on a road journey to retrace that first overland expedition. In fact, three of the original Overland team actually made it to Singapore for the flag off. 1955 was quite a long time ago and these men, in their late 80s took the time and flew down to Singapore for the historic occasion.
One thing about the Last Overland is that this time they will make the journey in reverse, from Singapore to London. As before, they will travel across three continents. It is an expedition that will take them through the jungles of Malaysia and Myanmar, the mountains of the Himalayas northern Turkey, the deserts of the Middle East, as well as over twenty countries, including Nepal, China, Uzbekistan, Iran and Bulgaria.
The aim is to arrive in London within approximately 100 days of setting out from Singapore. Grammar Productions explained their plans for this Last Overland expedition during the official unveiling of the original 1955 ‘Oxford’ Land Rover. Fully restored from a dilapidated state (well, it was a chicken coop!), the car was transported from the United Kingdom to Singapore where it was unveiled at the Jaguar Land Rover showroom, in Singapore, on Thursday, 30th May 2019.
Tim Slessor spoke about the thrill of being reunited with his old ‘Oxford’ Land Rover. He was reacquainted with it after the new owner faithfully restored in to its original, patina-ed condition. It had been abandoned by its previous owners and used as a chicken coop before being rescued by the car's current owner who agreed to let Alex Bescoby of Grammar Productions as well as Tim try out the historic drive again.
Tim said, “The last time I seriously drove this old thing was a long time ago. So, as you might imagine, to see the old thing again today is quite moving. After all, before we had set out, the Experts had told us that we were geographically ignorant and politically naive; the journey couldn’t be done. All that did was to make us more determined. Six months later, we pulled in to Champion Motors on Singapore’s Orchard Road. I can tell you, the champagne and flash-bulbs really popped that day. We’d made it. As the man from America’s Time magazine put it, ‘I guess you boys have run plumb outta road.’”
Regarding his motivation to repeat the journey at his age, Mr Slessor added, “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.’ If you like, it’s a case of ‘this Old Man helps take the SNX891 Old Lady home.”
Unfortunately, he was taken ill at the launch in Singapore and his grandson, Nat George (who is 21) who will take his place. According to what we heard, if Tim recovers, he will be joining the expedition on one of the stages at the very least. We hope that Time recovers and that he will be able to be once again a part of something great like his first Overland adventure.
I was actually glad to have attended the Kuala Lumpur gathering organised by Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia that welcomed the Last Overland Expedition here. Aside from the interesting mix of people involved, which included a Belgian lady, a Doctor from Indonesia and an avid Land Rover overland enthusiast. But aside from the unique individuals that are part of the team, it is the Series I Land Rover that actually looked its part. So much character in that little Landie. Watch the video folks! It looks better than the pics I posted here.
On 27th of August 2019, the Last Overland will have left Malaysia, into Thailand and onwards to London. Other notable stops in Malaysia include a stop in Malaysia's Land Rover capital, Cameron Highlands and the Penang.
Details of the Last Overland Expedition
FLAG-OFF ON 25TH AUGUST FROM SINGAPORE
The Last Overland expedition began on Sunday, 25th August 2019 with the ‘flag
off’ from Singapore’s F1 pit straight in Marina Bay. The ‘Oxford’ was given the
perfect send off by being escorted through the streets of Singapore all the way 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.
Upon entering the border of Malaysia, the team from the Last Overland made its
way to Cameron Highlands to visit the land of Land Rovers where Series I to III
are still found.
THE FIRST OVERLAND
Inspired by the 1954 Oxford and Cambridge Trans-Africa expedition, six Oxford
and Cambridge university students travelled in two Land Rovers named ‘Oxford’
and ‘Cambridge.’ The team traversed the dusty deserts of Iran, passed through
northern India (the previous limit of any overland journey from London heading
east), forded treacherous streams and rivers through Burma (modern Myanmar)
and down through what was then called the Federation of Malaya. Upon reaching
Singapore in 1956, the expedition made headlines around the world. It was
documented in three BBC films commissioned by Sir David Attenborough which
showcased many remote corners of the world on film for the first time, as well as
by a book authored by Tim Slessor. Writing about the original expedition, Sir
David Attenborough described it as “a madcap adventure” that would be “quite
impossible today.”
THE LAST OVERLAND
The Oxford’s adventures did not end in 1956. It was subsequently involved in an
Ascension Island expedition, and would remain hidden and decaying on the tiny
South Atlantic island for decades, before being rescued and restored by Adam
Bennett in 2017. Adam, who had grown up steeped in the First Overland story,
gifted the Land Rover to Tim and Alex for this latest adventure. Through the eyes
of two different generation of travellers, and the people they meet along the way,
The Last Overland will uncover how much the world has really changed since The
First Overland expedition.
Alex Bescoby in sharing his enthusiasm for the expedition said, “I feel
unbelievably lucky to be embarking on this adventure of a lifetime. We will be
travelling for 100 days along the highest roads in the world, through deserts and
jungles aiming to be in London by early December. We (the team) are incredibly
grateful for the strong support of our partners, supporters, family and friends, and
we look forward to sharing our adventures along the journey with them.”
The team will be accompanied by a team of professional advisors, Land Rover
enthusiasts and travel experts – all united in their passion for automotive history
and adventure.
Supporting the team on the road with safety equipment, satellite tracking and risk
advisory, will be security firm, AKE International and their offices in London and
Singapore. AKE’s Chairman, Richard Mitchelson said, “We are delighted to be
supporting the Last Overland as they are kindred spirits who mirror the ‘frontier’
ethos of our own organisation. The expedition also leverages our significant
operational experience in some of the world’s most challenging places. Robust
journey management is all about detailed planning and analysis. We just wish we
could jump in the AKE Land Rover and join the entire journey!”
The expedition will also involve major press and marketing events across over
twenty countries that Tim and Alex will be passing through. Grammar Productions
is planning a record-breaking gathering of classic Land Rovers in London, after
Singapore, to mark the end of the journey and to celebrate a global love affair
between Land Rover and the motoring world.
The ‘Oxford’ will leave Malaysia on August 27 after a stopover at Penang and
continue its expedition for the next 97 days until it reaches London.
For more information visit: https://www.lastoverland.com/
(L to R):
Alex Bescoby (The Last Overland Team)
Kelvin Chuah (Head of Sales, Jaguar Land Rover Malaysia)
Amey Tingare (Brand Director, Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific)
Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz (Managing Director of Sime Darby Auto Connexion)
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