I spied this “beast” rolling through town last week and on my way back home spotted it in the local supermarket parking lot. Pulled in along side and proceeded to get out and give it a looking over, after about 5 minutes as I was lying on the ground alongside getting a look at the underside the owners arrived with their victuals! I did think it was somewhat interesting that they didn’t seem overly surprised that some stranger would be crawling on the ground an closely examining their home on wheels, at first I attributed it to the fact that they are English and by their very nature exude a sense of decorum. After conversing a few minutes I learned that they have spent much of the last decade traveling throughout the globe and people taking some interest in their vehicle is just par for the course.

Turns out they are traveling the US for the time being and had shipped their vehicle here from its usual home in England. Of course conversation turned to the usual; what engine, how’s the mileage, parts availability, etc. OM 364, 17 MPG US, parts hardest to obtain here in the US!

Les and Margaret and their MB 709D expedition vehicle/home Kon-Tiki

I lamented that I didn’t have my camera with me and they mentioned that there where some pictures and some info relating to their vehicle on this web site

http://www.xor.org.uk/silkroute/

Which chronicles their 2002 overland expedition across Europe and into to China along the infamous Silk Route. Not many pictures of their particular vehicle but many of the trip overall and the other vehicles that accompanied them (other MBs included another MB Van and a Uni-Mog!). Spectacular scenery for sure.

Here’s a link about vehicle considerations for such a trip.

http://www.xor.org.uk/silkroute/equipment/choosevan.htm

Les and Margaret are traveling the east coast at this time heading south as winter comes, I informed them of this forum and the collective capabilities of the membership and encouraged them to at least give it a look even if they don’t join. If you happen to see them on the road or somewhere on the side of the road give them a wave and a shout!

I've seen their van on the Silk Route website. I think I linked it here a number of years ago. It was that website that inspired me to buy my Fuso FG and turn it into an expedition camper. I'd like to meet them if they come to Denver. I used to have a 307d van. There are similar MB vans that are 4x4.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13