Land Rover The Grizzly Torque 1957 - a rare camper was completely restored (16 photos)

In the summer of 1957, two bosom friends from Canada, one of whom famous artist Robert Bateman, and another biologist Bristol Foster, went on a trip. In 14 months they traveled to 19 countries for 4 continents, having wound more than 60,000 kilometers. I do not think that the guys were poor adventurers, because they traveled in a brand new Land Rover, modified for their requirements!





The car, assembled in May 1957, was sent to the studio Pilchers of Wimbledon, where he got a unique aluminum body with inspection hatch, external sun visor, heavy duty winch and two beds for travelers. Under the hood was simple four-cylinder engine capable of digesting any fuel quality available in not the most civilized countries ... They called car "The Grizzly Torqeu", I don't know how to translate it correctly. Any ideas?! The main thing is connected with the grizzly bear.

The car looked as epic as possible, and the inscriptions on the cans for fuel, fixed in front of the car, talk about travelers have a good sense of humor. With a multi-day neighborhood with wild animals and the same African tribes, a sense of humor allows you to relax and keep your mind.

The journey began with a trip to Scotland, then the guys went to the Gold Coast of Africa, moving cheerfully through the Central Africa through Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Then they went to ship to India, and then through Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore to the end point of the Australia route. Robert Bateman passionately devoted himself to work - he painted animals, birds, landscapes, simultaneously sending illustrated article in The Toronto Telegram. Readers felt the spirit adventurous and called the guys "Rover Boys".

Upon returning to Canada, the car for some time used in everyday life, and then sold and the trace of him caught a cold to 2008, when the remains of the former conqueror of four continents were naked in a remote province. Sami Robert Bateman and Bristol Foster (already old men) confirmed the authenticity of the remains and a certain enthusiast began the painstaking process of restoring a Land Rover. Expedition members provided many photographs and films for restoration image, and the drawings on the sides were personally re-drawn by Robert Bateman.

The restoration took two years and about $300,000. Even if Canadian, still a lot! But the car was not ashamed exhibit across Canada as part of the Land's 70th Anniversary Celebration Rover.