The year is 2025. Two men decide the best way to cross the UK and Africa is in what has been dubbed one of the world’s worst and most unreliable cars. Nobody stops them.
Cape Town, South Africa (18 March 2026) – Four months, 16,000 km, more than 20 countries, and one very determined three-wheeled car later, and they’ve actually made history!
The pair have officially broken the Guinness World Record for the longest journey ever completed in a Reliant Robin – an iconic (but also totally impractical and very wobbly) British car with three wheels. Two in the back and one in the front.
They rolled into Cape Town last week Wednesday, in their trusty silver motor, affectionately named ‘Sheila’. Oliver told the BBC it was one of the most emotional drives of his life.
Starting in England on 24 October 2025, Oliver (34, from Devon) and Seth (31, from Canada) crossed the English Channel, wound through Spain, caught a ferry to Africa, and then pushed south through Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, the Congo, and beyond. Sheila defied physics through deserts, jungles and plains.
It nearly didn’t happen. Halfway through the trip, stranded in Cameroon, their engine blew up entirely. Costs for a replacement engine, international shipping, customs fees, and new visas stacked up to potentially £3,000+ (over R57,000) and the record attempt was suddenly in serious jeopardy.
But rather than calling it quits with Sheila and flying home, they went public and launched a GoFundMe. The campaign drew support from hundreds who believed in their crazy mission, and it raised almost 600% of the original goal. They fixed Sheila up, got back on the road, and wobbled along.
Oliver and Seth crossed the finish line with Sheila on one of Cape Town’s hottest days of the year, with temperatures sitting around 42°C, driving out to Cape Point for the grand finale.
Sheila will now be retired to a Cape Town museum, though both men hinted this probably isn’t the last adventure for the three of them.
The whole journey was in aid of School in a Bag, a UK charity that provides backpacks filled with essential learning materials to children in need around the world. So far, the adventure has raised over £8,300 (R159,431) for the charity.
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“The most random World Record of all time, but nonetheless we completed London to Cape Town in a Reliant Robin.” shared Oliver. “4 Months, 14,000 miles, 2 engines, 2 gear boxes, 1 Canadian, 1 Brit, a lot of hope & zip ties. Many emotions, memories & stories to tell.” he added. “Sheila will be in Cape Town for a while, as we contour up a new mission for her to partake in. As for us we need a break, it a physical & mental mission controlling this vehicle. Let alone across the whole of Africa. Stay tuned as we will continue to Overland & Underthink. Appreciate all the support!”
A documentary about the journey is also reportedly in the works – and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram to watch the journey.
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