African Caravan Week 07 Route and Pictures

[PeeWee]

After leaving Kruger National Park in South Africa, the Caravan headed for Southern Rhodesia.

The really big thrill was parking in the shadow of the Zimbabwe Ruins, an ancient city.

The civilization traded with merchants from the Indian Ocean ports.

Not a lot of information about the inhabitants.

Today Southern Rhodesia has been renamed Zimbabwe after their ancient forefathers.

[Airslide]

Hey Pee wee,

What year and model is that tow vehicle. I would suppose its 4x4? You guys were afraid of nothing!!

Thanks for sharing

Vin

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by vlamica

Hey Pee wee,

What year and model is that tow vehicle. I would suppose its 4x4? You guys were afraid of nothing!!

Thanks for sharing

Vin

It's a 59 or 60 International.

57 & 58's had a single headlight with a blinker above that looked like a brow.

[Airslide]

Originally Posted by Goin camping

It's a 59 or 60 International.

57 & 58's had a single headlight with a blinker above that looked like a brow.

Seemed like a very popular choice back then for a reliable tow rig. Many of your pictures show these trucks or carryalls..

Thanks again..

Vin

[aircooled4]

I like the TV...my wife and I have kinda been considering an International of that vintage..

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Goin camping

It's a 59 or 60 International.

57 & 58's had a single headlight with a blinker above that looked like a brow.

Being that this photo was taken on the 1959 African Caravan, I'll bet it's a 1959 model. I think they had to ship out from the U.S. before the 1960 models would have been available.

Originally Posted by vlamica

Seemed like a very popular choice back then for a reliable tow rig. Many of your pictures show these trucks or carryalls..

Thanks again..

Vin

The Internationals were anything but a reliable tow vehicles on the African Caravan according to Pee Wee. They continually broke worm gears and other parts and quickly used up all spare parts they carried with them, then all spare parts they could obtain in Africa, then all spare parts they could obtain in Europe, and then they had to start having spare parts shipped over from the U.S. On the other hand the few Chevy's and Fords on the African Caravan were relatively trouble free.

[Airslide]

Originally Posted by 66Overlander

Being that this photo was taken on the 1959 African Caravan, I'll bet it's a 1959 model. I think they had to ship out from the U.S. before the 1960 models would have been available.

The Internationals were anything but a reliable tow vehicles on the African Caravan according to Pee Wee. They continually broke worm gears and other parts and quickly used up all spare parts they carried with them, then all spare parts they could obtain in Africa, then all spare parts they could obtain in Europe, and then they had to start having spare parts shipped over from the U.S. On the other hand the few Chevy's and Fords on the African Caravan were relatively trouble free.

66Overlander,

I wondered if someone with International marketing team (if they even had one then) sponsored some folks to have these vehicles perform in extreme duty like something Land Rover would do today. I bet if Airstream pulled this off again there would interest from the big three to get their badge out front. Again.. i guess it probably was just guys buying trucks on a hunch that it will perform well for them.

Thanks for the insight.

Vin

[66Overlander]

Wally had an International and likely recommended them to other caravanners as there was likely some value to everyone having identical are at least similar vehicles (less spare parts to carry, common service procedures, etc.), Unfortunately, while the idea was sound, the selection appears not to have been the best.

I have heard that for the 1963-64 Around the World Caravan all participants were to have the same tow vehicles, 3/4-ton 4x4 Ford Pickups. Most appear to have done so, but not all as there were a few other brands. I have never heard of any particular tow vehicle problems from the ATW caravan, so apparently the Fords and others were up to that task.

[PeeWee]

I wrote my feelings about the International Harvesters at this blog.

IH did have marketing. They had an outdoor bar-b-que for us.

Also they supported us a 100%. Why? An attempt to avoid adverse publicity.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f492...van-55495.html