After nearly a month of driving across all terrains under the beating African sun, the 5th Classic Safari Challenge has come to an end in Cape Town. Some 29 crews finished the 8000km event run by the Endurance Rally Association. These are some of the most spectacular images from event photographer Gerard Brown.
The British-entered team of Bill Cleyndert and Jacqui Norman brought their 1968 Ausin 1800 'Landcrab' home fourth in the classic section. Photo: Gerard Brown
Italians Gianmaria Aghem and Rosella Conti put in a fine showing in their well-prepped 1971 Lancia Fulvia, coming fifth in the classic class. Photo: Gerard Brown
A 1-2 for the Blue Oval in the classic class was headed by the 1961 Ford Falcon GT of Americans Dennis and Kathleen Varni. Photo: Gerard Brown
The only woes suffered by the Peter Lambert/Linda Lotriet 1934 Lagonda M45 on the whole adventure were a dented wheelrim and a broken headlight. Photo: Gerard Brown
The Portuguese team of Jose and Maria Romao de Sousa came third in the classic group in their 1968 Volvo 142. Photo: Gerard Brown
Bizarrely the 1963 Ford Falcon Squire pedalled by Canadian crew of Larry and Carolyn Hursh was probably both the oddest yet most practical entry for the event. Photo: Gerard Brown
Antipodeans Bruce and Judy Washington had a barnstorming drive in their 1937 Dodge D5 Coupe complete with locally sourced hood ornament, but late penalties cost them dear. Photo: Gerard Brown
Andrew and Gina Long scooped the Classic Safari Challenge's True Grit trophy for their dogged determination in the ill-fated 1928 Crossley 15-7 Tourer. Photo: Gerard Brown
It's unusual nowadays for any rally to have only one Porsche 911 in it, but this one ended in non-classification for Peter and Zoe Lovett's 1965 car. Photo: Gerard Brown
Aussies John and Marian Crighton may have finished halfway down the field in their 1973 MGB, but they did receive a special award for being one of only two cars that the rally's mechanics never had touch. Photo: Gerard Brown
Sole Triumph on the rally was the 1968 250 of Brits David and Jo Roberts, here negotiating some tough terrain with a big drop on one side. There was no overtaking on this section! Photo: Gerard Brown
Phillip and Yvonne Haslam proved early Jaguar sports cars' reliability by completing the course in their 1954 XK120 drophead coupé. Photo: Gerard Brown
James Elliott is a former Editor of Classic & Sports Car