1941 the richardson pan-american expedition

[4x4x4doors]

That is just totally awsome.....what is great is its a 2WD car...I think a Packard, but could be wrong. But still 2WD, now that makes me feel good about my 2WD truck with limited slip diff! Another thing I was astonded by was .26 cents for a whole STOCK of bananas....dang if only we could back up the time of prices for today!

Thanks for finding and sharing!

JJ

Agreed. Excellent find. As I've posted elsewhere, a 2wd, when driven properly will astound many of us who are used to thinking that ONLY 4x4 should go a particular route.

(I think the car in the video is a 41 Plymouth.)

 

[Redline]

...

(I think the car in the video is a 41 Plymouth.)

I'm sure you are correct, early in part 1 they do say it's a "Plymouth sedan".

What a different time, but 70 years is a while.

 

[DiploStrat]

Here is a HD link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYMKVGfy8vY

And a website where you can download the whole film:

http://www.archive.org/details/rough_road_to_panama

And a previous EXPO link:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/23259-1941-the-richardson-pan-american-expedition

This seems to be a link to a full text of the trip, with photographs.

http://www.plymouthbulletin.com/adventure01.htm

 

[1leglance]

This is why I posted about the Perlinger Archives, this video and lots more are there and the vintage stuff is amazing to watch.
Tough men, tough vehicles and a completely different perspective on life.
Of course a bit of google **** and you will find some great info on the United Fruit Company

 

[Christian P.]

Check this page for a good sample of the vehicles that are doing this road these days:

http://www.drivetheamericas.com/roadtripper-profiles

 

[Christian P.]

thanks for pointing the previous thread, I had missed it. I am going to merge this one with it.

 

[thecriscokid]

thanks for posting. That was a great way to spend 30 minutes

 

[Barriga]

Awesome! No winch, snorkel, sand tracks, 4x4...

It would be fun/interesting to find a 41 Plymouth and do it now. Just for old times sake.

 

[Barriga]

double post

 

[Christian P.]

Awesome! No winch, snorkel, sand tracks, 4x4...

It would be fun/interesting to find a 41 Plymouth and do it now. Just for old times sake.

Like this one?

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/2749183251.html

 

[Barriga]

Like this one?

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/2749183251.html

Wanna go halfsies? Its even close to D.C.

Oh and I have a hot tip on where we can find a replacement fender somewhere down in southern Mexico.

 

[itsrfam]

As Sullivan Richardson's grandson, I was really excited when I saw this post. He certainly would be happy to know that he's had so many interested persons in his adventure!

I went ahead and posted both films, Rough Road to Panama and Rugged Road to Cape Horn on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D-5UT4BHE0.

I'm sad to report that the car is no more. However, one of the original doors (with the cool map painted on the side) is still around. It's hanging on the wall of a restaurant in Miami, Arizona. Here's a picture of the door: http://www.plymouthbulletin.com/images/Adventsouth/Image13.jpg.

Enjoy!

 

[1leglance]

Wow that is super cool that you posted up....what a great family history.

And as a person who passes through Miami Az on a regular basis I will find that door and get a pic soon.

Again thanks very much and welcome to Expo!

Go to 33:40 for those of you who have seen the Panama part so you can see the "rest of the story"

 

[DavidG]

Thank you! Thank you!

This is really great. I appreciate you sharing this with the world. It is an amazing story and film and we now get to see the second half. What a gift!
I have a signed copy of your grandfather's book on my shelf. It is inscribed as follows:

To "Oscar" and Mary
Whose own "episodes" of
adventure make most of
these look a little tame! My
very best of wishes to you both.
The author
Sullivan C Richardson

I was impressed by how modest he was...and I always wondered what sort of "episodes" Oscar and Mary had gotten into.
Thanks again for sharing this.

Best regards,
David

 

[Redline]

All very cool!