Thought I’d give my life story a rest for one minute to bring you some wonderful linkage to other sites around the blogosphere that may be of interest to you.
First off is “The Journey Continues“.
I found this blog whilst on Blog Search for anything tagged with Overland. Silama, the author is constructing his very own wagon for travelling across, well, anywhere I suppose. I have to say that this is one of my own dreams, construct (or buy) my own campervan / expedition vehicle.
Unfortunately my off-centre mind has now conjured up the image of me perched atop a truck pointing to the distance and declaring in a distinctly pirate fashion “We be a goin yonder thata way! yarrr”
I’m not sure why the pirates came about, perhaps thats another crazy plan that I’ve secretly got lodged in my mind.
Prepare ye’selves for “Pirate Wannabe” blog… coming soon, or perhaps not, still if enough of you ask then i’m sure I could photoshop something, you weirdos! hehe!
… And then this caught my eye….
Perhaps the mightiest beast of all beasts. Based on the Unimog, but almost completely rebuilt is this monolith.
The description of the MaxiMog sums it up really
“The base vehicle is a highly modified Mercedes Benz Unimog chassis with a custom body, completely new power plant, computer controlled suspension, and integrated electrical, hydraulics and electronics systems.
Many of the onboard navigation, power, lighting, communications, computation and electro-optics systems were developed specifically for this vehicle.”
You really have to visit this site to see the remarkable opulance of the wagon. The trailer is less of a living accomodation and more secret service operating room. There is so much…stuff! Loads of gizmos and electronics. I serisously wouldn’t be suprised if there were some of these reporting back to the secret agencies of the world or broadcasting their own radio, tv and internet programmes.
The equipment list is exhaustive, including radars, cameras + webcams, night vision and just too many things. BUT… that’s just not enough.
The “accessories” page lists – a motorbike (normal enough). A jetboat – weird. An unmanned aircraft – crazy and an unmanned underwater vehicle!!! Stupendously outrageous!
If the end of the world does come I’m at the front of the queue for one of these, in fact, sod it… I’ve already started the queue, everybody get in line behind me!
Happy Travellin’
Overland Si
If you’re visiting here and you have your own blog please drop me a comment with your link, if you don’t have a blog then just say Hi! Now I have no job I have a bit more time to have a look at things, always interested.
I look forward to hearing from ya!
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:24 am
I traveled round Australia in a 1979 Holden Kingswood sedan. A panelvan would have been handier ( ie sleep in the back) but the Kingswood served well because the mechanics are very simple, and if something goes wrong, you can usually fix it.
Windows down air conditioning though
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 am
I have heard from a lot of people about using older style vehicles…
My Father’s motto is “if it can be fixed with a hammer and a spanner then its good!”
I’m thinking about taking a Mercedes 508, am having a bit of trouble though as it is 5tonnes max weight and in Europe that means taking another driving test and getting another license. It’s hard to find as reliable a wagon though for the same amount of money.
So I’m definitely with you on the point of keep it simple!
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:31 am
How on earth will a fix be possible on such a massive/complicated vehicle in the far reaches? How do you defend yourself with such equipment traveling? I’m sure they carry nothing short of a spare vehicle in parts and a fist full of dollars. Amazing
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:31 am
NewMexicoBack,
I agree, I’m not sure how easy it would be to find a new ground clearance radar hanging about in the north pole. HaHa.
Glad you like it – I thought it was a very good man toy, but not 100% sure on practicality unless it also comes with a spares shop.
Also, with all the gadgets wouldn’t the engine be using more power just to keep them running rather than actually driving the damn thing!
February 4th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Great car!!!!!!! cool
February 5th, 2009 at 2:18 am
Wow thats great.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
@Funny Toaster and @Shanda – thanks guys for your comments, glad you enjoyed it!
February 6th, 2009 at 12:43 am
I’ve always wanted to do what you are talking about! how did you decide on the time and places you wanted to see?
http://wizardofspeedandtime.blogspot.com/
February 10th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
@P.J. Hennely, decided to travel now because I didn’t wanna be working in my company anymore. As for deciding wht places I wanted to see, Well most of them have just come from my childhood dreams and places I have always wanted to go see, some others will probably come from suggestions on this here blog.