Vintage Austin Students Trans Africa (V.A.S.T.A)

The four University of Bristol students who embarked on the south-bound expedition were:

  1. Roger Freshman (age 24) from Canterbury, Kent, studying Mechanical Engineering.
  2. Peter (Jake) Chubb (age 22) from Gloucester, studying Electrical Engineering.
  3. Timothy Walford (age 21) from Langport, Somerset, studying Electrical Engineering.
  4. Philip (Silas) Clegg (age 20) From Blackpool, Lancashire, Studying Law.

As Roger put it, the motivation for the trip was two-fold:

  1. “The challenge of driving a vintage car overland to Cape Town – (perhaps the oldest car to attempt the trip). To show our faith in vintage automobile engineering.”
  2. “The desire to travel through and see life in Africa, and to use the time and opportunities available for travel and education in the most worthwhile manner.”

A sizeable sponsorship of £100 was obtained from Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, who wished to promote his motor museum through advertising on the vehicle, and to let the assumption manifest that the car was part of the museum collection, as stated in the general report written post-trip, in 1964. However, the car was never part of the museum, and remained in the ownership of Roger for both expeditions.

The name MUGWUMP was settled on for the car – an acronym for “Montagu’s University Group With Unlimited means of Propulsion” (a suggestion made by a well-known university Drama critic. The name further strengthened the link to the Motor Museum, notwithstanding the usual English meaning of the word – “a person who is independent (as in politics) or who remains undecided or neutral”.

FLTR Peter Chub, Tim Walford, Roger Freshman (sitting) and Philip (Silas) Clegg. Pictures courtesy of Peter Chubb.

Outside Lord Montagu’s flat – FLTR: Peter Chubb, Tim Walford, Silas Clegg and Roger Freshman. Photo credit: Peter Chubb

Mugwump left the UK on the 30th of June, taking the ferry to Calais and travelled trouble free to Chateau-Renault, where big end problems were suspected. This necessitated sump and head removal at a rough camp spot, and some help from a local garage owner, although nothing was actually repaired!

Burnt valve repairs in Lucena, Spain. Photo credit: Roger Freshman

Timing chain repairs, Libya. Image credit: Peter Chubb

Mugwump posing in front of the pyramids.
Photograph courtesy of Roger Freshman

The trailer being loaded onto the SS Talodi. Image credit Tim Walford

Nile barge open deck. Image credit Tim Walford.

Meeting local people in Kenya, close to Amboseli Game Reserve.
Photographs courtesy of Roger Freshman

The impressive Kariba Dam wall, with Northern Rhodesia (Now Zambia) on the opposite bank. Photograph courtesy of Roger Freshman

Meeting at the City Hall on 24 October 1963, at 4pm. From left to right: Peter Chubb, William Peters (Mayor), Roger Freshman, Mr. Gradner (Deputy Mayor).