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Vintage 4WDs tackle Simpson
Off-road accessories giant takes four old-school off-roaders across Australia’s most famous desertIf you’re heading across the Simpson Desert this month and confront a convoy of old-school, off-roaders jam-packed with the latest 4WD accessories, don’t be alarmed.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, off-road accessories giant ARB is taking a bunch of old and new 4WD vehicles on an 11 day, 2500km trip across the Simpson Desert.
The convoy will include examples of 4WD 'icons' including the Toyota 40 Series, Nissan GQ Patrol, Toyota HiLux and Land Rover Defender, albeit specially prepared and kitted out with the latest ARB gear in preparation for the trip.
As well as celebrating the company’s 40th birthday ARB’s Sam Boden, said the trip that kicks off today (September 13) in Alice Springs and finishes up near Broken Hill on September 23, will also be used to promote the range of products that ARB still manufactures for early model 4WDs.
“Since the milestone exploration by Tony Brown in 1975, which led to the origin of ARB 4X4 Accessories, we have been privileged to experience first hand the evolution of the four wheel drive industry, at the heart of which has been the evolution of our rugged off road vehicles,” he said in a press release.
“We wanted to generate some nostalgia for the iconic older vehicles that gave birth to the adventurous off road lifestyle that so many of us enjoy today, as well as highlighting how far we’ve come in regards to innovation, engineering and state-of-the-art manufacturing in order to keep pace with modern vehicle design and technology."
The old warhorses will drop by various iconic Outback locations en-route, including the Old Ghan Railway, Mount Dare, Dalhousie Springs, Poepple Corner, Birdsville, Cordillo Downs, Innamincka, Cameron Corner and Big Red.
The trip will conclude at Eldee Station near Silverton in time for the opening stages of the ARB-sponsored Outback Challenge.
Trip planner Mark Lowry said it would be interesting to see how many of the invited drivers on the trip, more used to slick, hi-tech modern 4WDs, cope with the older vehicles’ more lethargic performance, stickier manual gearboxes, and far stiffer chassis.
“(They) aren’t just old school technology, they are four 20-40 year old vehicles with largely unknown histories and high odometer readings,” he said.
“Some of the cars needed a little more pre-trip love than others. We’ve had some great work performed by our ARB staff from around Australia in getting these cars ready."
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Written byChris Fincham
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