SF to Timbuktu: Across the Sahara desert in a '88 Lincoln Limousine

[Christian P.]

Well, it’s time to make the big announcement.

A group of us have decided to attend the Plymouth Dakar Challenge this year. My friend Mark and I decided a few months ago that it could be fun to participate in this trimmed down version of the real Paris-Dakar.

The goal is to buy a car as inexpensive as possible, drive it from England to West Africa and give it away it as the end of the run – if you make it. The cars are then auctioned off and the money is donated to local NGO.

Here’s a good article:

http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/li...frica_or_bust/

There are two destinations this year – Timbuktu, Mali and Banjul, Ghana.
We are going to Mali.

And in another brilliant idea, we thought that using a Limousine could be more fun…so we bought one in Las Vegas - where else? - a few months ago and brought it back to San Francisco. The purchase of the limousine was an adventure in itself in a grand Las Vegas classic way…as you can imagine. We also took it to Burning Man to test it…

We are still doing a lot of last minute repairs and updates while trying to keep the cost as low as possible. Departure from San Francisco is scheduled for next Thursday – destination New York. Then the car is being shipped to England. From there across the channel down to France, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania and Mali.

Anyway, here’s she is…

And a bunch of links:

Website of the Rally: http://www.plymouth-dakar.co.uk/
Our website: http://www.limotoafrica.org/
Some pictures: http://www.limotoafrica.org/photo_ga...to_gallery.htm

We have friends joining for some portion of the trip. Personally, I may or may not be able to participate for the whole run as I may be in South Africa for the Holidays – but it’s been a lot of fun already driving this thing around San Francisco…



I will keep you updated on the progress of this adventure....

[Spikepretorius]

Man that's classic

[Overland Hadley]

That is great! Very, very cool.

[CLynn85]

Now that's thinking outside the box.

[Dolomiti]

Best idea ever

[DaktariEd]

Now that's thinking outside the box.

Way outside the box me thinks!
But looks like a lot of fun and benefits folks in need...
Best of luck!

[viatierra]

Viva Mali!

Suddenly I feel sooooo boring. I'm going to keep my on your progress, so keep us posted. Thanks for the shot of inspiration.

[justfred]

...in Anza-Borrego? 'Cause there was a limo there that they were off-roading (and partying) with. I was camped next to.

[Cabrito]

That is just beautiful! I will be cheering for the home team! I wonder if I saw you at Bman?

[pipeplug]

Very Very Cool!