From Kochi To London in Ford Endeavour 4x4

[350Z]

Just a couple of days ago I stumbled upon a picture of Ford Endeavour on a social networking website with caption Kerala To U.K Road Trip. It left my jaw drop wide open for a while and sparked obvious curiosity to know more. Miracles happen and how! Next day I found myself sitting with our friend Mr.Baiju Nair (Editor of Smart Drive) who is undertaking this ‘endeavor’ along with a couple of his buddies – Suresh Joseph and Lal Jose (Indian Film Director). He shared several nice insights about the entire tour.

Here are some of them:

> This roadtrip will be honored with an entry in the Limca Book of Records.

> The Grand India – U.K Trip will begin this June. Team will return to India in August.

> Government of Kerala has fully supported in this initiative and sponsored for this entire trip.

> The cost of this trip is more than what one could imagine. In short, one could buy a high-end luxury car for that money.

> The team has chosen a second hand Ford Endeavour 4x4 Automatic for this initiative. It’s fully stock with no modifications.

> According to Mr.Baiju, one of the toughest parts was obtaining the Visa for all the nations. But they've successfully overcome this challenge.

> The route will be through Nepal (Not Pakistan since Indian cars are not permitted to enter there and vice versa). Other countries include China, Kazakhstan, Russia etc.

This is the car. Let us congratulate them and wish all the best!

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Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[Vjroadie]

Re: From Kerala To London in Ford Endeavour 4x4

This is one Awesome tour planned and the biggest I have seen so far. This is a great find @350z, if you happen to know more details pertaining to planning, permits, visa's, road maps, detailed costs, etc would be great.
Also, its great to see the Government of Kerala is sponsoring this tour. I do not have any idea as to how Government can support such expeditions. Are they carrying any message along with them to share with the world or something like that?

I think the tour must have a separate thread on TAI and must be updated regularly with the tour progress. Please do have your friend create a thread exclusively. Wish them a safe and happy journey

 

[Godfather]

Yes this is going to be a great trip from the trio. This was in news (kerala) a few months back and if i could remember correctly the plan is to kick off from June 2014 and it will last some 30-45 days.

Baiju Nair is a prominent figure in local media as he is the editor for Smart Drive magazine and also anchors Smart Drive in Asianet News channel.

Wishing them all the very best for this true challenge!

 

[rakeshkn]

Yes Me to heard about this trip long back from somebody in the team., wish them very best for the trip.

 

[350Z]

Re: From Kerala To London in Ford Endeavour 4x4

Also, its great to see the Government of Kerala is sponsoring this tour. I do not have any idea as to how Government can support such expeditions. Are they carrying any message along with them to share with the world or something like that?

Yes. They will be promoting Kerala Tourism throughout this trip.

Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[patil]

This reminds me of a VV beetle rally by my ex-organization GM from Germany to Beijing. More details in the link: Vintage Volkswagen Challenge 2009 » The Rallye

 

[Mathew]

48 Day Road Trip

Promoting Kerala Tourism and 100th Year of Malayalam Cinema. Also, aiming to enter Limca Book of world records.

Earlier they where planning to make this trip with a Pajero SFX vehicle. The cine director put a mini advertisement in one of the cine magazine, and there where overwhelming response from all places. I am not sure where he changed the plan from Pajero SFX to Ford Endevaour. Baiju S. Nair is popular in different channels, and columns of different news papers. The cine director made "will pathram" - bonafide papers to distribute wealth after death. He has cleared two pending films, one is cleared for release shortly. Huge preparations made for this 48 Day road trip.

Best wishes for his mission. Will wait for more news and details.
I found this in Khaleej Times.

 

[anshuman8]

Just came across this thread and had a wild idea. Why cant TAI be a sponsor also and the car can sport TAI stickers ?

 

[Mathew]

Just came across this thread and had a wild idea. Why cant TAI be a sponsor also and the car can sport TAI stickers ?

Hi Anshuman8,

One of the Team Member, Baiju S. Nair is an auto specialist, and channel partner. They have many channel sponsorship, and they are promoting Kerala Tourism. The film director have allocated enough found from his collections. Anyway, give a try!!!.

 

[350Z]

Photo of the team with their car for upcoming drive.

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Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[konkantrip]

This thread is going to be a super hit. I must say kerala goverment is doing a great job by sponsoring this tour and promoting tourism in Kerala.

 

[smooth rider]

i too had heard about this trip. first time iam reading about it. best of luck for the guys under taking such a fantastic trip. do they need a driver? would have applied for it would be keenly keeping an eye on this thread.

 

[350Z]

I was searching for India to London by road and bounced back to our forum. Here's a similar roadtrip undertaken by an Indian couple sometime ago.

Link to their interview: http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...642-kms-2-people-15-countries.html#post161815.

Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[350Z]

The car is all set!







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Drive Safe,
350Z

 

[Mathew]

Update on this TRIP

They will begin this trip on 16th June 2014.
They are going to start from Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ernakulam. Aiming 27 Countries, and total 24000kms.

2010 Model Automatic Ford Endeavor vehicle is selected for the trip.
All photos and pictures will be uploaded to Limca Book of records.
Details in Deepika online news, dated 10th June 2014.