Did Top Gear/Grand Tour Inspire a Generation of Overlanders?

[Mr_Mnml_Engnr]

I just watched the final grand tour special, where James May, Jeremy, Clarkson, and Richard Hammond embark on a gorgeous trek through Zimbabwe. And it occurs to me, that for me at least, these specials they’ve done across the globe…taking unlikely cars on adventures, modifying them for the task, enduring hardships and challenges in good company…it’s what has drawn me to the idea of overlanding! More than the regular episodes with games and celebrities, the SPECIALS have always been my favorite part of their programming, and now having grown up to go on my own adventures, it compels me to ask….how many of you did Jeremy, James, and Richard inspire? How many of you do what you do here because you wanted to be like them when you grew up?

Thanks for enduring my ramblings…

 

[MidOH]

I know a clique that crashes into eachother, every camp stop.

So..........yeah.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Havent seen the final episodes yet but the dune buggy trip through Namibia...the Columbia drive with James May in the Fiat Panda...the episode of Top Gear where Richard gets "rescued" from Lone Wolf Mountain...they were fun. Showed where the vehicles you expect to see on expeditions can fail and how good a little beater can be.

 

[Ragman]

For me (being an older type) it was The Turtle Expedition in FourWheeler magazine that did it for me, followed by Overland Journal decades later.

 

[Mr_Mnml_Engnr]

For me (being an older type) it was The Turtle Expedition in FourWheeler magazine that did it for me, followed by Overland Journal decades later.

I’ve been enjoying Overland Journal immensely! If it’s not gifted a sub this Christmas I intend to get one for myself

 

[Dave in AZ]

Never watched Top Gear. Maybe saw a few minutes of it once, looked like a bunch of old guys chasing after midlife crisis red sports cars. Zero interest. Didn't look at all like a camping, outdoor, overlanding show, from what I saw any time I happened across ot while browsing...

 

[Mr_Mnml_Engnr]

Never watched Top Gear. Maybe saw a few minutes of it once, looked like a bunch of old guys chasing after midlife crisis red sports cars. Zero interest. Didn't look at all like a camping, outdoor, overlanding show, from what I saw any time I happened across ot while browsing...

Every season they’d do a “special” that involved essentially an overland trip involving a challenge, with vehicles that were ill prepared for the voyage. Chaos and comedy typically ensued, but they’d form a respect or even love for their vehicles when getting to the end of the trip because of the experience they’d had with them.

 

[Sparksalot]

Never watched Top Gear. Maybe saw a few minutes of it once, looked like a bunch of old guys chasing after midlife crisis red sports cars. Zero interest. Didn't look at all like a camping, outdoor, overlanding show, from what I saw any time I happened across ot while browsing...

The show started more than 20 years ago. They weren’t old then.

 

[grubworm]

"overlanding" is basically building a vehicle to get you IN trouble first and then get you OUT of the trouble....
that inspiration goes back even before youtube...

 

[The Deputy]

How many of you do what you do here because you wanted to be like them when you grew up?

Grew up long before these guys were doing what they were doing. Mutual of Omaha and Camel Trophy events, reading Hemingways accounts of Africa, and family cross country trips sparked the desire to travel overland.

 

[Robert543]

I just watched the final grand tour special, where James May, Jeremy, Clarkson, and Richard Hammond embark on a gorgeous trek through Zimbabwe. And it occurs to me, that for me at least, these specials they’ve done across the globe…taking unlikely cars on adventures, modifying them for the task, enduring hardships and challenges in good company…it’s what has drawn me to the idea of overlanding! More than the regular episodes with games and celebrities, the SPECIALS have always been my favorite part of their programming, and now having grown up to go on my own adventures, it compels me to ask….how many of you did Jeremy, James, and Richard inspire? How many of you do what you do here because you wanted to be like them when you grew up 51 game link?

Thanks for enduring my ramblings…

Yes i see the sports cars

 

[MOAK]

I’ve never watched either of the programs you mentioned. I’m convinced that it is either in our DNA to travel, or not. If we do travel, then the media we consume is for our confirmation. That’s just me, and my wife and I agree that we are indeed on the crazy side.

 

[systemdelete]

Following the Camel Trophy in peterson's 4wd magazines then seeing one of the retired trophy trucks on display at the local dealer definitely sparked something. Actually working on a few defenders and discoveries while I was primarily wrenching on BMWs at an independent import shop sealed the deal. Just seeing the drivetrain differences between the first gen X5s I was factory trained on vs the raw simple transfer cases with solid axles under the land rovers of that time period educated me that at the time LR was serious about getting somewhere off road, where BMW wanted to look the part.

 

[CSG]

I think it was covid.

 

[roots66]

Overlanding has been as old as the car itself.



And, even older if you include non-motorized transportation

 

[lolzhax]

Overlanding has been as old as the car itself.

View attachment 296837

And, even older if you include non-motorized transportation

View attachment 296838

Honest question though.. Was it "overlanding" when that type of travel was standard necessity or did it begin when people traveled in such a way for enjoyment, to get back to nature?

If the latter, then does that mean "overland" is a product of post modern industrial era where most roads are paved and homes are built in subdivisions?

 

[roots66]

If the latter, then does that mean "overland" is a product of post modern industrial era where most roads are paved and homes are built in subdivisions?

Even before subdivisions. As soon as people were able to buy automobiles like the Model-T, they started taking them on extended trips. Roadside food and lodging were not really a thing back in the day, so they usually carried tents, cooking gear, and supplies tied to the car. In fact, by the 1910s, magazines and outdoor clubs were already describing “auto camping” as a growing pastime.

However, it was the 1920s when car camping really took off. Touring clubs such as the Tin Can Tourists (founded 1919) organized large gatherings of motorists who camped out of their cars. Because roads were improving across the US, families used cars for vacation travel instead of trains. Thousands of municipal “auto camps”—basically early campgrounds designed specifically for motorists—popped up nationwide.



Check out this article about the first camping trailer from 1910.
The First Automobile Camping Trailer (USA, 1910)

By 1914, you could even buy the Auto Kamp trailer from a manufacturer.
Auto Kamp – Tin Can Tourists

 

[lolzhax]

Even before subdivisions. As soon as people were able to buy automobiles like the Model-T, they started taking them on extended trips. Roadside food and lodging were not really a thing back in the day, so they usually carried tents, cooking gear, and supplies tied to the car. In fact, by the 1910s, magazines and outdoor clubs were already describing “auto camping” as a growing pastime.

However, it was the 1920s when car camping really took off. Touring clubs such as the Tin Can Tourists (founded 1919) organized large gatherings of motorists who camped out of their cars. Because roads were improving across the US, families used cars for vacation travel instead of trains. Thousands of municipal “auto camps”—basically early campgrounds designed specifically for motorists—popped up nationwide.

View attachment 296845View attachment 296846

Check out this article about the first camping trailer from 1910.
The First Automobile Camping Trailer (USA, 1910)

By 1914, you could even buy the Auto Kamp trailer from a manufacturer.
Auto Kamp – Tin Can Tourists

That's amazing history and I love seeing the pictures again but is it still "overlanding" when it's basically just a necessary part of life for anyone that travels?

Since roadside lodging was uncommon, camping out wasn't an activity people did for the same reasons that we do it today.. It wasn't a recreational activity as much as it was just normal everyday life for travelers. "Overlanding" is a recreational activity, at least by today's expectation.

 

[grubworm]

Honest question though.. Was it "overlanding" when that type of travel was standard necessity or did it begin when people traveled in such a way for enjoyment, to get back to nature?

If the latter, then does that mean "overland" is a product of post modern industrial era where most roads are paved and homes are built in subdivisions?

very good insight...
yeah, I'd say it s definitely a product of post modern industrialization...just like the term "homemade". right now, "home made" is a term used to give the impression that something is unique because it is NOT mass produced in an industrial facility. not long ago, pretty much everything was made at home and therefore the term "home made" would be unnecessary because there would not be anything else to distinguish it from. in the past, people traveled without paved roads, motels, restaurants, plumbed bathrooms along the side of the road, etc. THAT was just considered to be traveling...but now, traveling like that has to be distinguished from staying in motels, developed campgrounds, etc. and so the term "overlanding" is used to distinguish a particular type of travel that is supposed to be a throwback to past times with an emphasis more on self reliance. sort of ironic because "overlanding" is very heavy on modern machinery and technology...especially when folk feel they are roughing it by crapping in a hole they dug and then they go back to their decked out Gladiator with Inreach, sat maps, 12v coolers, etc...I guess its just like people wanting "home made" soap, and yet they buy all the ingredients from industrial facilities...
just like the term "homesteading". currently, "homesteading" is considered living in a manner that is self sufficient and involves people growing gardens, having livestock, making bread, making soap...basically what people simply called "living" not that long ago...

I should know...I'm right in the middle of it like everyone else

 

[lolzhax]

very good insight...
yeah, I'd say it s definitely a product of post modern industrialization...just like the term "homemade". right now, "home made" is a term used to give the impression that something is unique because it is NOT mass produced in an industrial facility. not long ago, pretty much everything was made at home and therefore the term "home made" would be unnecessary because there would not be anything else to distinguish it from. in the past, people traveled without paved roads, motels, restaurants, plumbed bathrooms along the side of the road, etc. THAT was just considered to be traveling...but now, traveling like that has to be distinguished from staying in motels, developed campgrounds, etc. and so the term "overlanding" is used to distinguish a particular type of travel that is supposed to be a throwback to past times with an emphasis more on self reliance. sort of ironic because "overlanding" is very heavy on modern machinery and technology...especially when folk feel they are roughing it by crapping in a hole they dug and then they go back to their decked out Gladiator with Inreach, sat maps, 12v coolers, etc...I guess its just like people wanting "home made" soap, and yet they buy all the ingredients from industrial facilities...
just like the term "homesteading". currently, "homesteading" is considered living in a manner that is self sufficient and involves people growing gardens, having livestock, making bread, making soap...basically what people simply called "living" not that long ago...

I should know...I'm right in the middle of it like everyone else

lol perfectly nailed it, with my grasp on these things as well.