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Road Trip in a 100-Year-Old Bean Car
From England to Australia
By MT Team | Published July 31, 2024
Image: AAJ MNews
Langley Richard, and his wife, Beverley Irene Kidby, embarked on an epic sixteen-thousand-mile world tour in their century-old 1924 Bean brand classic car. Their route follows the historic path of Australian adventurer Francis Britles, who drove from England to Australia in 1927. Recently, their travels brought them to Pakistan, where the couple was swiftly facilitated by Mohsin Ikram, Founder of Vintage & Classic Car Club Pakistan (VCCCP).
Image: Next Horizon
Since setting off from England on February 29, they have traveled through
Lang meticulously restored 100-year-old Bean car, motivated by a his childhood dream. His fascination was so profound that he chose Birtles for a school project on Australian pioneers in Grade 10, back in 1962.
When Bean car was showcased in 2023, at Gilberts Motor Museum Australia, and was being sold off as part of a deceased estate, Lang knew it was a gateway to his boyhood dreams. He bought the car, restored it to running condition and shipped it to England.
Image courtsey VCCCP
Mechanical issues plagued Bean due to extreme heat
Lang is resurrecting another chapter of history as it was about breathing life into the extraordinary feats of transport pioneers, honoring their relentless pursuit of adventure.
Lang and Bev entered Pakistan at the Taftan Boarder, facing extreme climates in their 100 year-old car. They were captivated by Quetta's stark beauty and Balochistan's rugged landscapes. However, their adventure took a challenging turn when they reached the city known as the hottest on Earth.
To cope, they decided to load their vintage car onto a truck and send it ahead to Lahore, traveling in an air-conditioned vehicle instead. VCCCP facilitated their passage through Pakistan, ensuring smooth travel until they reached the Wagah Border and reunited with their car.
Images courtsey VCCCP
Lang & Bev Kidby entering Pakistan via Taftan Border
Lang & Bev Kidby with President VCCCP talking to Pakistan media
Lang & Bev Kidby driving through Balochistan
Chronicals
Legacy of the Bean Car
Image: Museum of Australia
The Bean car, a marvel of early 20th-century automotive engineering, played a pivotal role in Australia's motoring history. Introduced in the 1920s, it was renowned for its reliability and innovative design. This British-manufactured vehicle symbolized the spirit of exploration and adventure of its time. Stories of daring journeys and its sturdy performance cemented its place in motoring lore. The original 1924 journey by a daring Australian named Francis Birtles, is a testament to the car's capabilities, remains an inspiring chapter in the annals of Australian travel history.
An extraordinary jouney from London to Melbourne was undertaken by Birtles in his chosen steed was a 1923 BEAN 14 car, affectionately named the "Sundowner".
As he navigated through the diverse terrains and cultures of the world, Birtles faced trials that tested his mettle. In the cold embrace of Iran, he came perilously close to freezing to death, the bitter winds biting through his clothing and chilling him to the bone. His journey through the Naga Hills, around the vicinity of Burma and its dense jungles, struck him down with Malaria - weak and feverish, and at the brink of starvation.
Despite these formidable obstacles, Birtles pressed on through Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, covering over 12,000 miles of treacherous terrain. Six months after his departure, Birtles arrived in Sydney to a hero's welcome. His legacy was immortalized in his book "The Overlander," published in 1929, which chronicled his remarkable adventure.
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