Sheila the Reliant Robin's Epic 14,000-Mile Journey to South Africa
Two friends have achieved a bizarre record by driving a decades-old British three-wheel car approximately 14,000 miles from the United Kingdom to the southern tip of Africa, marking the longest trip ever undertaken by a three-wheel vehicle.
The Ridiculous Proposal That Sparked an Adventure
Englishman Ollie Jenks recalls the moment his Canadian friend Seth Scott first pitched the idea to him. "It was so ridiculous I couldn't say no," Jenks said. Scott, a fellow enthusiast for cars and wild escapades, proposed they drive a vintage British-made Reliant Robin from London to Cape Town, South Africa—a journey spanning 22 countries and 14,000 miles (22,500 kilometers)—to set a new benchmark for three-wheeled travel.
Reliant Robins hold a cult-like status in the UK as humble three-wheelers designed, in Jenks' words, for short trips to the shops in 1970s Britain. Although production ceased in the early 2000s, they remain beloved in British culture, notably after featuring as the Trotter brothers' battered yellow van in the iconic sitcom "Only Fools and Horses."
Yet, you could hardly find a less suitable vehicle for traversing thousands of miles through tropical jungles, mountain ranges, and deserts along Africa's west coast. That very unsuitability is precisely why Jenks embraced the absurd plan.
Sheila: The Silver Three-Wheeler Built for Madness
Sheila, a silver three-wheeler and one of the last Reliant Robins ever built, was acquired specifically for this adventure. In October, Jenks and Scott set off with minimal supplies: a can of fuel and essentials strapped to Sheila's small roof, coupled with a hefty dose of blind hope that they would somehow reach Cape Town.
"No power steering, no air con, and it doesn’t do well up hills or down them. It is the most unsuitable car for probably any journey," Jenks remarked in a frank assessment of Sheila's capabilities. "We made friends with the designer of this car, and he’s scared to take it any more than 20 miles."
Ignoring all advice, the duo embarked on an epic four-and-a-half-month journey, costing between $40,000 and $50,000, funded by sponsors and crowd-funding. They documented their exploits on an Instagram page titled "14,000 miles, 3 wheels, 0 common sense," amassing nearly 100,000 followers.
Navigating Danger and Breakdowns Across Continents
The adventure was fraught with peril. They arrived in Benin during an attempted coup, skirted northern Nigeria as the US launched airstrikes on Islamic State targets, and received a military escort through a region of separatist violence in Cameroon. "Imagine this car in a military convoy," Jenks quipped.
Traffic hazards were constant, including a near-fatal incident in Congo where an overtaking bus almost flattened Sheila against a cliff face. True to Reliant's reputation for unreliability, breakdowns were frequent on punishing roads:
- Wheel springs needed replacement within the first two weeks.
- The gearbox failed in Ghana, leaving only fourth gear operational.
- In Cameroon, clutch and distributor issues culminated in a blown engine.
Through it all, the kindness of strangers and the duo's intrepid spirit kept them moving. A man shipped a new gearbox to Ghana, while Reliant enthusiasts in the UK helped source a replacement engine for Cameroon. After one breakdown, locals loaded Sheila onto a cattle truck for repairs, with mechanics across Africa welding and hammering to keep her intact, often shaking their heads at the madness.
Majestic Moments and a Triumphant Arrival
Amid the chaos, there were breathtaking moments that made the journey worthwhile. Sheila cruised through stunning mountain ranges and vast deserts—places no Reliant Robin had likely ever ventured. She went on safari, driving alongside galloping giraffes, spotting endangered rhinos, and posing next to a giant elephant.
Over 120 days after departure, Sheila rattled into Cape Town last month on an engine that began overheating badly in the Namibian desert and remained touch-and-go for about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers).
"This is a great underdog story," said Graeme Hurst, a South African car enthusiast who followed the journey on Instagram. "I see the farcical kind of comical nature of it ... but also the sheer admiration. I mean, they have utter tenacity."
In South Africa, Sheila was temporarily displayed in a high-end car showroom, outshining Porsches and Mercedes with her broken side window, petrol-stained windshield, bent tire rims, and countless dents and scratches. She will now rest and receive a thorough service before being driven to Kenya, shipped to Turkey, and making a final trip back to the UK to find a home at the London Transport Museum.
Reflecting on the achievement, Jenks felt triumphant but relieved to have survived the cramped confines of the tiny two-seater. "It was like driving a motorized coffin," he said.
