What Car? - Mongol Rally
Discussion
I did the rally in 2006 in a 1973 Mini Scamp kit car. Fantastic for the most part and certainly got quite a lot of attention. Really easy to work on (probably easier than a classic mini) - we had a hi-lo kit on the back to give us more ground clearance that snapped somewhere in Russia. We found a man in a truck stop who fabricated us a whole new hi-lo just using offcuts of metal and hand tools. It never broke again. He even refused to take any payment, just insisted we stay for a drink. 4 bottles of vodka later we weren't in much state to fit the parts. Sadly it caught fire driving through the sand in Kazakhstan and had to be abandoned. If you can find one I'd recommend it.
Me and a friend have just signed up to do it again next year and I can't wait
. We've just picked up our vehicle for next year - an Adam's/Ford Rotrax kit car. Technically it's cheating on the engine-size front (2 litre Pinto), but we figure it meets the stupid criteria seeing as it's made out of 1970's Ford Cortina (by a farmer in a shed), doesn't have doors or a roof that function correctly, and has precisely zero room for any kind of storage. Plus, for added PH-ness, Pinto+RWD+LSD+800KGs = a lot of sideways. I think we might be planning to tow something top secret with us too, so they can't say no 
Me and a friend have just signed up to do it again next year and I can't wait
. We've just picked up our vehicle for next year - an Adam's/Ford Rotrax kit car. Technically it's cheating on the engine-size front (2 litre Pinto), but we figure it meets the stupid criteria seeing as it's made out of 1970's Ford Cortina (by a farmer in a shed), doesn't have doors or a roof that function correctly, and has precisely zero room for any kind of storage. Plus, for added PH-ness, Pinto+RWD+LSD+800KGs = a lot of sideways. I think we might be planning to tow something top secret with us too, so they can't say no This is tough!!!
1999 FIAT SEICENTO SPORTING BLACK
http://carsunder500.co.uk/1999-fiat-seicento-sport...
1999 Hyundai Atoz 1.0L Red
http://carsunder500.co.uk/1999-hyundai-atoz-1-0l-r...
2001 DAEWOO MATIZ SE SILVER
http://carsunder500.co.uk/2001-daewoo-matiz-se-sil...
1999 FIAT SEICENTO SPORTING BLACK
http://carsunder500.co.uk/1999-fiat-seicento-sport...
1999 Hyundai Atoz 1.0L Red
http://carsunder500.co.uk/1999-hyundai-atoz-1-0l-r...
2001 DAEWOO MATIZ SE SILVER
http://carsunder500.co.uk/2001-daewoo-matiz-se-sil...
A Mighty Metro?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/rover-metro-/22126710928...
1100cc though, but if you could probably fit a smaller engine (998cc?) into it I guess.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/rover-metro-/22126710928...
1100cc though, but if you could probably fit a smaller engine (998cc?) into it I guess.
I did 5000 miles in 7 days in a 900cc fiat cinquecento with 106k on the clock. It did it without fault other than the alternator failing. I even ran it for another 5k once I had got back. It went off the clock and would sit on the limiter happily and just refused to die.
It eventually sat at the bottom of my parents garden for a few years rotting away and it still started first time when I scrapped it.
It's the car I would go for.
It eventually sat at the bottom of my parents garden for a few years rotting away and it still started first time when I scrapped it.
It's the car I would go for.
SammyW said:
Ok, so I'm now considering the line in the 'rules' which basically says that you can use a car with an engine larger than 1000cc as long as it is interesting/wierd/comic/stupid/inappropriate enough, mainly on the basis that a big car would be better!
My thoughts so far: black cab, minibus, big volvo estate, Renault espace.
All of these would obviously be in a rather ropey condition! So, are these in the spirit of the event, or can anyone think of anything else that we might get away with?
I think only the black cab might qualify. The others are just big cars that aren't any ropier than the average 1000cc tin box while being a lot comfier and faster. And big cars seem to be greatly discouraged by the organizers. (check the line about ambulances)My thoughts so far: black cab, minibus, big volvo estate, Renault espace.
All of these would obviously be in a rather ropey condition! So, are these in the spirit of the event, or can anyone think of anything else that we might get away with?
If we decide to enter this year, which seems very likely, our team has between them a Benz 500SEL, a Lancia Kappa V6, a VW Golf 1 cabrio, and a Rover 800 already available. They're all pretty much worthless and ropey, yet we still insist on buying something like a Fiat Uno since the whole small car thing seems like half the fun.
That said, if you do want to go big, go all out. They'll probably allow it if you come up with a decrepit Bentley, Rolls, Jag or 70's American land yacht.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Slightly bigger engine, but in the spirit of things - especially if you keep a boat on the roof.
A bit of work, but imagine this. I'm pretty sure you'd have to be mental to try..
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k...
Slightly bigger engine, but in the spirit of things - especially if you keep a boat on the roof.
A bit of work, but imagine this. I'm pretty sure you'd have to be mental to try..
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k...
Edited by tannedstamina on Tuesday 13th August 13:11
You'll struggle to get something with enough space for 4, once tools, luggage and spares are factored in regardless of roofracks. Most people have 3 in a car and some luggage on the back seat. If there's 4 of you, two cars (or 1 car and 1 Suzuki Carry) might be the better option.
Get something with air conditioning (especially if you're going down and back up through central Asia, it isn't being 'soft' when you're talking being in upwards of 40C for hours at a time, its just common sense), steel wheels (or get some from a scrappy) and (if 3 or 4 to a car) back doors.
The K11 Micra is the default choice for a good reason.
Other general points;
understand how the people you're going with react under stress. You're in a confined space for a long period of time & things are bound to go wrong at some point. The last thing you want is to have two people whose reactions set each other off.
Don't start chucking around blame for stuff and let things slide - did Dave just hit a rock and puncture your last tyre? Did Bob take a wrong turn that sent you on a four hour detour through the backstreets of Tashkent? Who cares. It's the damn point.
Don't become obsessed about making good time; its only likely to cause more problems than it solves & is a sure-fire way to piss people off. By all means, try and catch up a little bit if you've had some delay or other, but don't go crazy about it. The journey is the point after all.
Different manufacturers & cars are popular in different countries, so parts availability can be a bit weird even on something 'normal' if you need bits in the wrong place - but once you're into eastern europe and beyond the local backsteet mechanics can become stuff of legend so you should be ok.
Get something with air conditioning (especially if you're going down and back up through central Asia, it isn't being 'soft' when you're talking being in upwards of 40C for hours at a time, its just common sense), steel wheels (or get some from a scrappy) and (if 3 or 4 to a car) back doors.
The K11 Micra is the default choice for a good reason.
Other general points;
understand how the people you're going with react under stress. You're in a confined space for a long period of time & things are bound to go wrong at some point. The last thing you want is to have two people whose reactions set each other off.
Don't start chucking around blame for stuff and let things slide - did Dave just hit a rock and puncture your last tyre? Did Bob take a wrong turn that sent you on a four hour detour through the backstreets of Tashkent? Who cares. It's the damn point.
Don't become obsessed about making good time; its only likely to cause more problems than it solves & is a sure-fire way to piss people off. By all means, try and catch up a little bit if you've had some delay or other, but don't go crazy about it. The journey is the point after all.
Different manufacturers & cars are popular in different countries, so parts availability can be a bit weird even on something 'normal' if you need bits in the wrong place - but once you're into eastern europe and beyond the local backsteet mechanics can become stuff of legend so you should be ok.
kwak said:
GC8 said:
Mongolia wont let crap like that in! ISYN!
As in, you are not even allowed to drive it into the country and take it back somewhere else? That is very dissapointing.Rocksteadyeddie said:
DonkeyApple said:
The Moose said:
An old ambulance off eBay?
Something such as this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMBULANCE-LDV-V8-ONLY-29...
I'm likely to go for a matiz for this rally. Then get a roof rack and some sump plating to protect it's oily bits.
However, if i find a terribly modified Corsa with a 1.0 engine and bodykit, that will be bought for the sheer fun of smashing the kit off it in a desert
Or an old jag. Surely rallying in 70s leather and impending BL legendary build quality will get it in?
However, if i find a terribly modified Corsa with a 1.0 engine and bodykit, that will be bought for the sheer fun of smashing the kit off it in a desert
Or an old jag. Surely rallying in 70s leather and impending BL legendary build quality will get it in?
UE9s3wBohGBSB+Hw(m+g~~60_12.JPG)
Prof Prolapse said:
K11 with a spare throttle body.
K11 with a spares kitwith plated suspensions mountings
seam welded and gusseted
with a new extra core radiator mounted on rubber bobbins
with reinforced van tyres
with extra large/firm bump mounts
with chained engine mounts
with a sleeved/sprung exhaust
with skidded suspension links
with a full width aluminium sump guard (not Dural! - if you can work out how to make one which wont catch debris and punch it through your sump - using hex bolts)
with a secret document container
with lots of stick on reflective heat insulation
with extra cabin venting
with reinforced roof plates to allow wheel to be bolted through (using wheel stud dia fixings)
with a tubular bumper welded to the front chassis
with an aluminium bash plate for the fuel tank
with welded on trunking to protect the external brake and fuel lines
with heat protection for the battery...
...and thats off the top of my head!
Id be tempted to to raise the suspension, use T&C type van tyres and to skid the whole of the underside giving it a smooth bottom (but still skid the suspension in case it was lost). With increased ride height and a smooth bottom you will be amazed where a two wheel drive car can go. I remember seeing a Frensh Sahara exploration teams cars which were built on this principle and they were adamant that they could go anywhere that a conventional 4x4 could by virtue of the snag free undercarriage.
Edited by GC8 on Wednesday 14th August 15:08
Your putting too much thought into this...
It's a fun rally, not a WRC stage. I've read about teams that have bought the car and then drove to the start line. No huge amount of prep needed.
Also, how much will all that cost? Bearing in mind the car's are going to be all under a grand and highly likely under £500.
It's a fun rally, not a WRC stage. I've read about teams that have bought the car and then drove to the start line. No huge amount of prep needed.
Also, how much will all that cost? Bearing in mind the car's are going to be all under a grand and highly likely under £500.
Im putting too much thought into it? Do you know where Mongolia is? Do you know that roads dont go there? This sint Scumball3000 where we f
k about through France and Germany for four days, only leaving the road when we drive into a camp site.
Ive put a minumum of thought into the post, but I have read a number of books about it. I doubt that anyone will get there who hasnt protected their car in the way that Ive mentioned.
With regards to cost: how much do you think it costs to slip and exhaust or chain your engine mounts? The cost of not doing simple and cheap prep like this is failure somewhere slightly to the right of Europe on the map.
k about through France and Germany for four days, only leaving the road when we drive into a camp site.Ive put a minumum of thought into the post, but I have read a number of books about it. I doubt that anyone will get there who hasnt protected their car in the way that Ive mentioned.
With regards to cost: how much do you think it costs to slip and exhaust or chain your engine mounts? The cost of not doing simple and cheap prep like this is failure somewhere slightly to the right of Europe on the map.
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