For the long journey, we put all our trust in our new rocky roadster, our Mitsubishi L300-4WD. Say what, all our trust? Well, we rely mainly on the van, the rest should be delivered by our skills as rookie mechanics, the luxurious selection of spare parts and, most of all, on the skills oft he African car experts.

We have chosen this car for several reasons.

1. One of the main pros of this car is there’s not too much electronic engineering under the hood, which means reduced complexity. Little electronic engineering = good.

2. Maintenance isn’t that complicated. Additionally spare parts are not too expensive.

3. Africans love the Germans on the road: Mercedes and VW are, besides the unbeatable bushtaxi Toyota Landcruiser, very popular. On the black market as well. We reckon this increases our chances of our Japanese car staying with us all the way.(Did you know that when your car get's stolen, you are bound to pay a fine that may be as high as 300% of the original price of your vehicle? These are the import costs you'd have to pay. Even though you ain't got no ride anymore, no dollars in your pocket and you are on foot!)

• It just drives very well and is very comfortable.

With thanks to its previous owner Herr H., this is a detailed description of the Mitsubishi.

The L300-4WD is comparable to the concept of the Mitsubishi Pajero. Because of the 4WD and the allroad chassis, it is a full-fledged allroad vehicle. The last full mechanical 4WD bus that was traded in Germany.

It has:

• > Living expansion for 2 persons, suitable for expeditions
• > Foldable roof with 2 beds, possible to stand on the roof
• > Load possibilities and attachment shins on the roof
• > Roof air supplier
• > Full protection in tropical rain
• > Integrated mosquito net for the sleeping area, making it full mosquito proof
• > Heating system for during parking
• > Cool box, electronic water supply in the kitchen unit
• > Place for cooking and a small table to be used inside and outside
• > Toilet
• > Abundant stowing room
• > 6 Rims 16“ with 245/75 R 16 tires
• > Bottom motor and transmission protection
• > Luggage rack for 2 spare wheels, reliable on desert tracks
• > Solar panel with second battery
• > Electronic start interference device
• > The van fits into a 20-Feet container.

Of course not one expedition vehicle passed through Africa without any damage. We, as two office clerks, haven’t a clue yet on how to repair anything that’s under the hood. Luckily Herr H. was so nice to offer us a full day training in technical car repairing. Great! Let’s slip into those overalls and get ourselves all greasy!