Key facts
- Ollie Jenks and Seth Scott drove a 1970s Reliant Robin from London to Cape Town.
- The journey covered 14,000 miles through 22 countries.
- The trip aimed to set a record for the longest distance traveled in a three-wheeled vehicle.
- The adventure took four-and-a-half months and cost between $40,000 and $50,000.
- The car, nicknamed Sheila, suffered numerous mechanical failures during the trip.
- The Reliant Robin will eventually be displayed at the London Transport Museum.
Two friends, Englishman Ollie Jenks and Canadian Seth Scott, have completed an extraordinary 14,000-mile (22,500-kilometer) journey across Africa in a 1970s Reliant Robin, a three-wheeled vehicle, setting a record for the longest trip in such a car. The adventure, which took four-and-a-half months and cost an estimated $40,000 to $50,000, was documented on Instagram and garnered nearly 100,000 followers.
Jenks described the idea, pitched by Scott, as "so ridiculous I couldn’t say no." The Reliant Robin, known for its cult status in the U.K. and its appearance in the sitcom "Only Fools and Horses," is considered highly unsuitable for such an arduous journey. Jenks noted its lack of power steering, air conditioning, and poor performance on hills, stating that even the car's designer was hesitant to drive it more than 20 miles.
Despite the car's limitations and numerous breakdowns, including gearbox and engine failures, the pair persevered. They navigated through 22 countries, encountering challenges such as an attempted coup in Benin, airstrikes in Nigeria, and a military escort through a region of separatist violence in Cameroon. The car also faced traffic-related dangers, like nearly being crushed against a cliff face in Congo.
Kindness from strangers and the dedication of Reliant enthusiasts were crucial. One individual arranged for a new gearbox to be shipped to Ghana, while U.K.-based enthusiasts helped source a replacement engine for Cameroon. Mechanics across the continent worked to keep Sheila operational, sometimes with a sense of bewildered admiration.
The journey also included majestic moments, with Sheila cruising through stunning landscapes and going on safari alongside wildlife. The car finally rattled into Cape Town with an overheating engine that had been problematic for the last 1,000 miles. A South African car lover, Graeme Hurst, described it as a "great underdog story" and admired the pair's "utter tenacity."
Sheila, now bearing the marks of her epic voyage including a broken side window and bent rims, will undergo a thorough service. Future plans include driving her to Kenya, shipping her to Turkey, and finally returning her to the U.K. for display at the London Transport Museum. Jenks expressed triumph and relief upon completing the journey, likening the tiny two-seater car to a "motorized coffin."