Two Men Successfully Cross Africa in a Three-Wheeled Vehicle, Facing Repairs and Near-Misses
Recently, British man Ollie Jenks and his Canadian partner Seth Scott completed an extreme journey from London to Cape Town, South Africa, driving a vintage three-wheeled vehicle. The 22,500-kilometer journey through 22 countries took four and a half months, making them the first people globally to cross the African continent in a three-wheeler.
The vehicle they used was a Reliant Robin three-wheeled car manufactured in the 1970s, long since discontinued. Originally designed as a short-distance commuter vehicle in Britain, it lacked suspension, air conditioning, and power steering, making it unsuitable for long-distance travel. However, they named the car “Sheila” and embarked on their crazy journey.
In October 2025, the two set off from London. After entering Africa, they entered “constant repair” mode. They needed to replace the leaf springs just two weeks into the trip. In Ghana, the gearbox malfunctioned, leaving only four gears functional. In Cameroon, the car broke down completely – the engine was totally ruined. However, they relied on the help of local people and parts sent by Reliant Robin enthusiasts in the UK to continue their journey.
In addition to vehicle breakdowns, dangers along the way were also major obstacles: Benin experienced an attempted coup, with streets filled with soldiers and police; while crossing northern Nigeria, they encountered a US airstrike against ISIS and narrowly avoided being affected; in the high-risk area of Cameroon, they relied on an escort from the government army for nearly 480 kilometers to escape danger; and on the Congo section, they were forced to the edge of a cliff by an overtaking bus, narrowly avoiding a crash.
Despite the bumpy ride, the two witnessed the magnificent scenery of African deserts and mountains, and had close encounters with giraffes, elephants, and rhinos. It was these experiences that kept them going.
Finally, the three-wheeler, covered in scratches and having undergone numerous repairs, limped the last 1600 kilometers on a barely functioning engine and successfully arrived in Cape Town. After maintenance, it will be housed in the London Transport Museum.