Two Men Drive 3-Wheeled Car 14,000 Miles to Cape Town

When Seth Scott pitched the idea of driving a notoriously tippy three-wheeled car from London to Cape Town, his friend Ollie Jenks had one reaction: "It was so ridiculous I couldn't say no."

Now the two adventurers have a Guinness World Record to show for it. Jenks and Scott completed the first-ever journey of this distance in a Reliant Robin, a British-made three-wheeler famous for tipping over.

The duo named their silver car Sheila and set off on an odyssey that would test both their patience and mechanical skills. Over 4½ months, they drove 14,000 miles through 22 countries across Europe and Africa.

Sheila needed new wheel springs in just the first two weeks. The engine blew up partway through, forcing the team to find a replacement.

But something beautiful happened when things went wrong. A community of Reliant Robin enthusiasts back in the U.K. rallied to help, tracking down parts and offering advice to keep the journey alive.

The Reliant Robin went out of production in the early 2000s, but it maintains a devoted following in Britain thanks to the sitcom "Only Fools and Horses." Even the car's designer told Jenks and Scott he was scared to drive it more than 20 miles.

Why This Inspires

This journey proves that the "most unsuitable" tool can still get the job done with enough determination and community support. When Jenks and Scott faced seemingly impossible obstacles, strangers who shared their passion stepped up to help them succeed.

The record stands separate from previous three-wheeled vehicle journeys because those used tuk-tuks, which are designed for long-distance travel. Sheila rattled into Cape Town barely making the last 1,000 miles, but she made it.

Sheila now sits on display in South Africa before making her way back to London via Kenya and Turkey. She'll retire at the London Transport Museum, where Jenks says she'll finally get the service she deserves.

Sometimes the most ridiculous ideas lead to the most remarkable achievements.