Hello everyone,
My name is Miguel, I am 23 years old, a citizen of Spain and within 20 days I shall be starting a solo expedition from the United States to the southernmost tip of Argentina. Being a Mercedes gear-head and striving with a tight budget, I bought a 1981 Mercedes 300TD wagon that I am currently modifying to make expedition-worthy.
Since I graduated college, I started writing a blog called "This European Life", where I narrate my travels and my thoughts on where life takes me. I call it an open travelogue because I do not plan on it NEVER ending, I am always looking to meet fellow travelers wherever I go! So, don't be shy and shoot me a line if you want to meet and talk about rigs and overlanding!
It is an honor to be part of this –VERY SERIOUS- community of offroaders and adventurers, and I hope to meet many of you wherever my wheels take me! I shall also keep my eyes open for the last supplies I need!
Sounds like quite a trip. If I interpret your drawing correctly it looks like you are planning on carrying a bulk supply of liquid either fuel or water on the roof? I think this would make your rig to top heavy plus having that much liquid moving around on the roof would cause the vehicle to become unbalanced possible causing you at best to slide off the road or worst roll over. I am also curious as to why you chose a 2 wheel drive low slung car as opposed to a 4 wheel drive with better ground clearance and greater weight capacity?
I have definitely changed the design since that first drawing... the storage compartment at the top will now carry my "just-in-case" spare parts and automotive consumables. The fresh water tank will be installed in the former space of the second row seating backrest. Will soon update the blueprints!
I chose the W123 Mercedes-Benz series because...
...it was cheap. Under $1,500 at auction.
...it is the car I know best and have worked the most on.
...spares can be sourced practically anywhere in the world.
...it is absolutely distinctive, original and unique.
...it is very safe and well built, even by today's standards.
...it is TOUGH as nails. The W123 is Africa's taxi!
...it can achieve 27-30mpg's if driven carefully.
...being a diesel, it only relies on compression to run.
My wagon will soon undergo a factory heavy-duty suspension upgrade that will give it enough ground clearance and robust stamina. It's unbeliebable how Mercedes provides parts support, upgrades and accesories for these vehicles... there are even factory roof racks and skid plates available!
And yes, it is not four-wheel-drive, but it is not required in the PanAmerican route unless one goes deep into unpaved trails. Many people have done it before in 2WD cars and have had no problem... having it it would be a BIG plus, but is not a must by any means. Driving in the snow in New England taught me every trick I can squeeze out of these wagons!
What I wanted to write as a silly Facebook status update turned into a full-blown blog post. Departing from the usual PanAmerican preparations, I would like to share an incredibly revelatory dream I had last night... and yes, there's a G-Wagen.
Thank you! It will be challenging at times, but I am faithful this old Benz will do it!
Here's a thread that many of you will enjoy: THE BUILD POST. I have been saving a few pictures from the (rushed) construction of the expedition vehicle and have ordered them all together in this one blog post... Enjoy!
The Mercedes has been fantastic for these last thousand miles. I am currently writing from San Luis Potosí in Mexico, and here's everything that has happened so far!
On today's post, I detail the journey from San Miguel Potosí towards León, Guanajuato, San Miguel Allende and Morelia. Unbelievable architecture, rich gringos and chaotic traffic are all part of this exciting blog post!
The long-waited second half of my Mexico City journal. Two police encounters, a sculpture that resembles Humphrey Bogart, and even more traditional delights are part of this week's update!
There will be an update to the blog very soon. I just opened the Export section for those who would like me to send them some stuff along the way, anything from coffee to car parts. I would like to raise as much money as possible to fund a trip to Cuba and take a look at their classic jalopies, including a mysterious 300SL Gullwing that lies somewhere in the Eastern part of the island...
This may actually turn into a very serious business trip. If I manage to find a buyer (do you know anyone?), I may be able to save it and get it out with enough persistence and maybe some bribes. This thing just cannot sit there and rust to death. There are other treasures that I will document as well, but, for now, I estimate I will need $400-$500 to hop over and stay for enough time and run all over looking for automotive curiosities.
Despite having access to fast internet, I haven't written for a while on my blog, so I have added a new submission to the "articles" section on my top ten regrets about my USA experience and opened the "Export" tab on the site. Not much has been happening in these last weeks other than the fact that life is relaxed and comfortable. This post narrates my daily life living and volunteering in Oaxaca, and it involves CUPCAKES and a BABY.
Thank you! I know it is not 4WD, but a different choice nonetheless... and my favorite vehicle of all time!
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Long time since the last post! This entry is one I meant to write a long, long way ago; I have been keeping the pictures for the last month and a half, before crossing the Mexican border. Automotive enthusiasts, feast!
New update! Every week I go to the local food market to get a very special drink unique to Oaxaca, and try some of the local specialties, including fried grasshoppers. Care to know more? Click and read on!
Alright! Long time since the last post; not much has been happening here at the hostel. I am pretty much confined to the place and I do not have much time to explore around. That will soon change next weekend, as I will take off to continue the route! Expect a special on the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) very soon...
...and talking of the dead, well, in today's post I adventure into a notoriously dangerous place where people have been killed at the hands of criminals. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Mercado de Abastos.
Your a long way from home, if you ever come back to Wichita im only 40 miles away. I think a Mercedes is a good car for what you are doing. I miss my 84 300D Turbo Diesel, so smooth and quiet riding. Good luck on your expedition. If you ever come back I will give you a :beer:
Fellow Kansan! I would be honor to have a cold one with you as soon as I return to the flats! The 300TD is behaving like a champ. Just did a bunch of maintenance on it and it's purring like a kitten.
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Now, this is a question for everybody following the adventure: would anyone be interested on buying something from Oaxaca before I leave? Especially now in the Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) before it ends! I have fulfilled about three orders so far and have one week left...
Here are some things you may like: ceramic skulls, black Oaxacan pottery, folkloric dresses, dried (edible) grasshoppers, marzipans, skull candy, chocolate, dried fruit candies, antiques, figurines...
I finally got around to writing the entry for the glorious Day of the Dead. Much against what we Westerners do, it's a day full of celebration, joy, food and music! I really makes you rethink how one should approach our own traditions.
I am currently writing from a hostel from the overly humid town of Cancún. Today concludes my visit to the Yucatán Peninsula, so I will start writing an article very soon on that. However, for now, I shall narrate the events as they happened on my departure from my two-month work experience in Oaxaca. The trip is alive and well, folks!
At long last! I am back from Cuba and I have a LOT of material to publish! I need to organize all of this writing and gather up the best shots, but for now I will leave you with an exciting tale of friendship, ruins and corrupt police. Glad to be munching on some capitalist treats as I write!
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