The cars – Introduction
When embarking on a trip of this magnitude it would be natural to consider the terrain, the remoteness and the weather before making your car choice….wouldn’t it?
The other side of the world, so remote that you have to ship in your own fuel, food and accommodation. Very few roads and most of those are really just a track across the steppe. So logic would dictate that you would take the very latest, the very toughest four wheel drive vehicle that in available. Enter the INEOS Grenadier stage left….the toughest 4WD on the planet.
And that was fine for the first four vehicles, thereafter it would appear the criteria changed. Jim has curated the most unusual group of cars that have ever been assembled for a trip like this….but before I reveal the squad, I’d like to give some stats:
10 cars sporting 50 cylinders and 32.1 litres of cubic capacity, 6 cars with a total age of 465 years and 4 cars with a total age measured in days. And one of them is celebrating a significant birthday. Variety is the spice of life and this squad is no exception.
So we have:
1929 Bentley
1929 Bentley
1929 Bentley
1948 Land Rover (the first one and 75 years old this year)
1955 Land Rover
1983 Porsche
1x Prototype Grenadier pickup – The Quartermaster
1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre Vanden Plas style tourer
| Registration: | UW5805 |
| Rally number: | 52 |
| Colour: | Black |
| Chasis No: | KL 3952 |
| Engine No: | AD 3672 |
| Captain: | Bus Pass |
| Navigator: | Anyone who is brave enough! |
There is probably no more iconic pre-war British sports car than the 4.5 litre Bentley. With the Bentley “wings” sitting atop the nickel plated radiator and its elegantly proportioned Vanden Plas body, it is automotive beauty. W.O. (Walter Owen) Bentley founded his eponymous motor car firm in July 1919, “The policy was simple,” W.O. said. “We were going to make a fast car, a good car, the best in its class.” (Sound familiar?….). The endurance of the Bentley was apparent from the onset and in 1924, one of his early customers, John Duff, won the Le Mans 24 hour race in a 3 litre version.
Buoyed by this success, Bentley entered and won again in 1927. In 1928 his new 4.5 litre version trounced the continental competitors driven by scion of a South African diamond mining family; Woolf Barnato and Bernard Rubin. It was the first of a hat trick of wins for Barnato in Bentleys at Le Mans. The glory days for Bentley were to be short, Barnato had also become a major investor in Bentley, but the Wall Street crash hit the company hard and in 1931 Rolls-Royce acquired it.
“UW” was completed by the works in Cricklewood on 17th November 1929, registered UW 5805, and fitted with weyman saloon coachwork by Lancefield. The performance was incredibly impressive with over 90mph possible in standard form and 120mph achievable in full racing trim. During the 1930s the original saloon body was removed from the car and replaced with a modernised open touring body by Jenson, a common practice during this period. During the 1960s the 30s body was replaced by a replica of the seminal four‐set touring design by Vanden Plas.
It is a particularly fine example of the model, exactingly prepared for this trip, it incorporates all sorts of little tweaks for the comfort of our Dear Leader. The dashboard is a cabinet makers delight – fashioned from rosewood by the same craftsmen that built the interior of Sherpa. There is a sneaky umbrella holder hidden in the hood (hopefully he won’t need it in a desert). It does have a hood, but Bentley etiquette dictates that you never put it up, that would be simply not allowed! Powered by an upgraded 4.5litre engine with non-synchromesh 4 speed gearbox, it has more torque (talk) than a Saturday night football pundit and will be pretty much untouchable on the Mongolian steppe.
1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre Vanden Plas style tourer
| Registration: | UV3957 |
| Rally number: | 10 |
| Colour: | Barnato Blue |
| Chasis No: | |
| Engine No: | |
| Captain: | Peachy |
| Navigator: |
This is the second of the trio of magnificent Bentleys that have been prepared for the epic adventure.
Like its stablemates, “UV” has been stripped to the bare chassis and meticulously rebuilt to full rally specification. Every component has been examined, rebuilt or replaced. Peachy has chosen this rather jolly shade of blue for his chariot, it is in fact “Barnato Blue”. Woolf Barnato was a one of the original “Bentley Boys”, famed for their derring do in the 20’s and 30’s and he remains the only man to win the famed Le Mans 24 hour race on three consecutive occasions. He was also Chairman and owner of Bentley Motors. In 1934 Barnato built a single seater car to race at Brooklands, it was designed by the great Wally Hassan and he painted it in his own distinctive light shade of blue. Today George celebrates that giant of Bentley history with his own car.
A late specification heavy chassis, it was completed in July 1929 carrying saloon coachwork by H J Mulliner. The first owner of chassis DS 3557 was Francis Webster from Arbroath, Scotland. Dismantled in 1939 after an accident, the car was restored as a Le Mans replica in 1997 taking three years and some 2,500-man hours. “Barney” has once again stripped to the bare chassis to prepare it for this epic adventure, it sports a fine luggage compartment at the rear that we sincerely hope has been repurposed as storage for the tour restorative: Gin and Tonic”
1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre Vanden Plas style tourer
| Registration: | UL7870 |
| Rally number: | 18 |
| Colour: | Old English White |
| Chasis No: | RL3449 |
| Engine No: | |
| Captain: | Butch |
| Navigator: |
And so we come to the third of the Cricklewood titans, UL is a veteran of many of the toughest rallies in the world, a multiple participant in the Flying Scotsman. Delivered on 13th March 1929, it is a heavy chassis 4.5litre tourerLike its stablemates it has been stripped naked and rebuilt to match the challenge that awaits it. “UL” has enjoyed a chequered life…..The first owner of UL 7870 was Henry Cecil Turner from Yorkshire. Henry led a colourful business life and he was twice in court, once for being bankrupt and the other to face criminal charges. Henry Turner was involved in a road race and crash whilst being driven in his Bentley by his chauffeur. In court a witness told the court “I have seen express trains, but I have never seen them go as fast as these cars”. Lets hope Butch doesn’t seek to emulate the former owner…. “UL” has a long history of famous and infamous owners, our medical team members may have heard of Francis Glen Allan, a pioneer of orthopaedic surgery.
As Butch grasps the steering wheel he will be guiding a car with a great history that will only be embellished when he arrives in Beijing.
1983 Porsche 911 “Safari Spec”
| Registration: | tbc |
| Rally number: | 83 |
| Name: | “Zee German” |
| Colour: | French racing blue with white stripe |
| Chasis No: | |
| Engine No: | |
| Captains: | Sleazy (stage 1) Totti (stage 2) |
| Navigator: |
The 911 safari aesthetic did not come out of the blue, but instead sprang from a corner of real Porsche history. The first motorsport victory for a factory-backed 911 came in the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally, with driver Herbert Linge and Porsche engineer Peter Falk scoring a class win and taking fifth overall. Their 911 was one of just 35 cars out of 237 entrants to finish the snowy 3000-mile race.
Rally drivers used the 911’s power and rear-biased weight distribution to great effect, drifting to carry speed through curves. European Rally Championships for the 911 followed in 1966, ’67, and ’68.
Upping its game, in 1971 Porsche had the crazy idea to enter the East African Safari Rally, considered the world’s toughest, with a five-car team of 911 STRs. (Two were practice cars.) The 4000-mile multi-stage race took entrants over horrendous routes through Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Only one of the factory 911s finished, taking fifth.
This fabulous French racing blue 911 has been completely rebuilt for “Mongolia 5000” with a full roll cage and all of the equipment needed to navigate the harsh terrain. The 3.0-liter flat-six out back is fresh out of the workshop and now makes around 280 hp. It gets power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. Behind the wheels you’ll find five-way adjustable rally-specific dampers. Inside the cockpit, the traditional comforts have been stripped away to keep weight to the minimum, this car is all about performance.
After Catherine’s last outing in the 911R, it’s a dead cert that the Monagasque postman will need a bigger trolley to deliver all the speeding tickets….there will be no stopping this machine. “Zee German” is definitely one to watch on the road, but will it overtake “UW”??? Let’s see…..
1948 Land Rover series one – Chassis No.1
| Registration: | JUE 477 |
| Rally number: | 1 |
| Name: | “JUEY” |
| Colour: | Green |
| Chasis No: | 860001 |
| Engine No: | |
| Captains: | Lovejoy (Stage 1) Dead Cat (Stage 2) |
| Navigator: |
The most famous Land Rover of all “JUE” – Chassis no.1, the First production Land Rover completed Monday 19th July. JUE is the genesis of the 4WD / SUV concept, all life that we know stems from this humble car. Without JUE, there would be no Grenadier.
JUE has a fascinating history, it was originally allocated for Royal duties and records show that it was to given to King George VI, but for reasons unknown he was given chassis 880101 and JUE remained at the Lode Lane factory for another 18 months. On the 8th February 1950, JUE was registered for the road and went in to the possession of Professor Ewen McEwen. Little is known of its history but by 12th September 1970 it had been acquired by David Fairless for the pricely sum of £15. It remained abandoned but not forgotten on his farm at Allenheads until 1998, when he literally dragged it from its slumber to exhibit at the Land Rover rally at Shugborough Hall in 1998. Having excited the Land Rover world with it unveiling, Fairless ignored all interest in JUE and once again incarcerated it in a discrete shed away from the world. However in 2017 Fairless passed away and JUE was put up for sale in sealed bid tender. Recognising the significance, Jim and INEOS Automotive were successful in acquiring JUE and after a remarkable restoration, this seminal piece of history once again took to the road. JUE won its class at the Hampton Court Concours of Elegance in 2020.
2023 is the 75th birthday of JUE and most would agree that there can be no finer celebration of this remarkable vehicle and the millions that it has spawned by driving it. But driving it 5,000 km across the Gobi Desert, well only one man could be daft (and adventurous) enough to suggest that! So, with only a few minor modifications, JUE will embark on the journey of a lifetime. I suspect we might lose a bit of skin on the knuckles, but with a bit of encouragement and the support of its modern day siblings, I have no doubt it will make a visit to Beijing.
1955 Land Rover series one station wagon
| Registration: | ROG 495 |
| Rally number: | 55 |
| Name: | “ROG” |
| Colour: | Grey |
| Chasis No: | 57104059 |
| Engine No: | 57110120 |
| Captains: | Louisville (Stage 1) Peacock (Stage 2) |
| Navigator: |
Sporting the lucky INEOS numbers of 55, ROG is the younger sibling of JUE and with an equally interesting history. First registered on 24th March 1955, ROG is a very rare 86 inch wheelbase station wagon, fitted with 7 seats and as double safari roof, it was really rather comfortable for its era. It was the property of Hilda Knowles-Saxby who lived in the Herefordshire village of Ashton Carbonel, she was part of the Burman family who were a Birmingham based manufacturer of sheep shearing machinery. She primarily used ROG to go fishing (sound familiar?…) possibly on the River Teme. ROG was carefully maintained by her chauffeur until her passing when she gifted it to her nephew who used it sparingly until it was acquired by Jim.
ROG has survived amazingly unscathed, if a little tired, but in preparation for the big adventure it has been to Shoolheifer’s Spa for elderly Land Rovers and will shortly emerge suitably detoxed and botoxed ready for Mongolia 5000. Re-wired and with freshly rebuilt engine but spotting the patina of ages, ROG is a veritable wolf in sheep’s clothing…
2023 INEOS Grenadier station wagon
| Registration: | TBA |
| Rally number: | 1 |
| Name: | “JOHN” (and that’s not Reece!) |
| Colour: | Sela green |
| Chasis No: | |
| Engine No: | |
| Captains: | Gobby (Stage 1) Pronker (Stage 2) |
| Navigator: |
The first of “The Beatles”, “John” flies the flag for the Icelandic interests of our “Dear Leader”, painted in Sela Green, that glorious green that is redolent of the verdant banks of the famous fishing river and its gin clear waters. Powered by the rorty 3 litre petrol engine and fitted with the “Safari roof”, it has been not so subtly enhanced with bigger tyres and raised suspension to cope with the challenges of the Gobi desert – it looks really good!! It carries a few more goodies off the Grenadier options list that might be useful: Shovel, tow rope.
More importantly it is fitted with a 2kw inverter which will allow all sorts of life defining gadgets to operate: DD’s hair dryer, re-charge Gobby’s camera and most importantly power the Nespresso machine! To further enhance the luxury, it is fitted the tailgate table, so you can rest your cappuccino once you’ve made it.
2023 INEOS Grenadier station wagon
| Registration: | TBA |
| Rally number: | 2 |
| Name: | “PAUL” |
| Colour: | Magic Mushroom with red nose and red door |
| Chasis No: | |
| Engine No: | |
| Captains: | Chilly Phil (Stage 1) Imelda (Stage 2) |
| Navigator: |
The second of the scouse quartet, “Paul” flies the flag for the recreational pursuits of the Fab Four in period by sporting a fetching Magic Mushroom colour scheme with a red nose and rear door – Rudolph, eat your heart out!! Also powered by the rorty 3 litre petrol engine and fitted with the “Safari roof” and enhanced with bigger tyres and raised suspension to cope with the challenges of the Gobi desert, it also has a roof rack to carry spares and offer a perfect viewing platform for all manner of things; photos or spotting snow leopards. It carries a few more goodies off the Grenadier options list that might be useful: Shovel, tow rope.
It is also fitted with a 2kw inverter to double up on coffee making capacity! And is fitted the tailgate table, so you can rest your cappuccino once you’ve made it. Most importantly it is fitted with a front winch so if you happen to have the misfortune to get stuck, not only will you be in for a load of grief, but you will be dearly wishing that Paul is nearby. Finally Paul is fitted with the light bar – not quite sure what we will use it for, but it will be useful!
2023 INEOS Grenadier station wagon
| Registration: | TBA |
| Rally number: | 3 |
| Name: | “GEORGE” |
| Colour: | Eldoret Blue with white roof |
| Chasis No: | |
| Engine No: | |
| Captains: | BJ (Stage 1) Shadow (Stage 2) |
| Navigator: |
The third of the scouse quartet, “George” is painted in the dashing Eldoret blue with a contrasting white roof. Also powered by the rorty 3 litre petrol engine and fitted with the “Safari roof” and roof rack and enhanced with bigger tyres and raised suspension to cope with the challenges of the Gobi desert. Interestingly George Harrison was the petrolhead of the Beatles, he ordered a Mclaren F1 when new which featured no less than 8 depictions of the Indian deity; Ganesha and had a specially designed guitar case. How cool is that?
“Bluey” doesn’t have an inverter but it is importantly fitted with a rear winch so if you happen to have the misfortune to get stuck, not only will you be in for a load of grief, but you will be dearly wishing that George is nearby.
2023 INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster – PTO1
| Registration: | TBA |
| Rally number: | 4 |
| Name: | “RINGO” |
| Colour: | White |
| Chasis No: | |
| Engine No: | |
| Captain: | The Bok |
| Navigator: |
We will be conducting important research for the INEOS Automotive team, we will be testing a PTO1 version of the new Quartermaster, “Ringo”. This is a first in Asia! And with such an important vehicle, we are naturally entrusting it to our two most sensitive and talented drivers: the Bok and Philistine. If it can survive those two, it will survive anything! This the workhouse of our trip, with the carrying capacity of Antonov, it will be laden down with all those essentials: Gin, tonic, Lynch-Bages, Meursault. Whilst Klara prepares canapés in the back, Gregg and Phill will navigate the rocky road to Beijing.
Final note, the Grenadiers are number 1 to 4 because they will be the first 4 Grenadiers in Mongolia and China
So that’s fleet, it’s eclectic but chosen with care and every vehicle has been individually specced to meet the challenges we will inevitably face. If we’ve got it right – well we’ll know in Beijing – see you there!