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Is it the end of the road for the Vintage Adventurer in Texas? Is the record-bid trans-America run in an 85-year-old Ford Model T actually over...?
AMARILLO, Texas - A world record attempt by 'Vintage Adventurer' Rod Wade and co-driver Michael Flanders has ended in heartbreak as their 1930 Ford Model A broke down beyond repair, halting their challenge to drive from New York to Los Angeles against the clock.
The challenge came to an end just outside Amarillo, Texas, with more than 2700km covered. The car's crankshaft split while the car was maintaining a good pace after losing a few hours because of an overheating problem in Zanesville, Ohio.
'ANYTHING CAN BREAK'
Wade and Flanders were devastated when the breakdown occurred just after passing Amarillo. They tried every possible remedy to get back on the road but when they discovered the crankshaft had split they knew it was all over.
The car was towed to a nearby storage area while the drivers, now in rented a car, continued to Los Angeles.
Driver Rod said before their departure: "The only thing that's going to stop us from getting there are the two F's: mental fatigue and car fatigue. This car is 80-odd years old - anything can break anywhere."
However, having had a night to consider Tuesday’s breakdown, Rod added: "This is not over. We’ll be back to set that record… and soon. Failure is not an option.”
Learn more about the Ocean to Ocean Challenge and the Vintage Adventurer.
AMARILLO, Texas - A world record attempt by 'Vintage Adventurer' Rod Wade and co-driver Michael Flanders has ended in heartbreak as their 1930 Ford Model A broke down beyond repair, halting their challenge to drive from New York to Los Angeles against the clock.
The challenge came to an end just outside Amarillo, Texas, with more than 2700km covered. The car's crankshaft split while the car was maintaining a good pace after losing a few hours because of an overheating problem in Zanesville, Ohio.
'ANYTHING CAN BREAK'
Wade and Flanders were devastated when the breakdown occurred just after passing Amarillo. They tried every possible remedy to get back on the road but when they discovered the crankshaft had split they knew it was all over.
The car was towed to a nearby storage area while the drivers, now in rented a car, continued to Los Angeles.
Driver Rod said before their departure: "The only thing that's going to stop us from getting there are the two F's: mental fatigue and car fatigue. This car is 80-odd years old - anything can break anywhere."
However, having had a night to consider Tuesday’s breakdown, Rod added: "This is not over. We’ll be back to set that record… and soon. Failure is not an option.”
Learn more about the Ocean to Ocean Challenge and the Vintage Adventurer.
