Twice Around the World in a Classic Mini 1275 GT

Around the World In A Classic Mini 1275 GT

Back in 1996 Duncan Mortimer set himself the incredible challenge of taking his 1978 Mini 1275 GT all the way around the world. 

A slightly crazy challenge I'm sure you'll agree but as he was raising money for his favourite charities it was a journey that he very much believed in.  Over the course of 130 days he covered 14,000 miles on the road crossing the USA, Malaysia, Thailand and Europe.

Driving A Classic Car Twice Around The World 

The arduous route towards automotive history didn't put adventurer Duncan off and if anything only served to encourage him because in 1999 he decided to do it all again but to go much further.  This time his route took him across the USA, Australia, India, Pakistan, and Iran before travelling back via Europe.  His second trip around the world clocked up 24,000 miles in 11 months for which he achieved The Guinness World Record. 

In 2009 Duncan once more started preparing for a third attempt to travel around the world, once more in his well-travelled Mini 1275GT.  For this trip Duncan approached the Performance Direct Non Standard Awards to help him with funding and was awarded one of our prestigious awards which included a large amount of the funding that he needed.  Alongside more generalised insurance, Performance Direct are renowned for being able to insure the more Non Standard vehicles such as offering some great classic Mini car insurance fit for anyone driving an original Mini or any other sort of classic or vintage vehicle. 

So far Duncan has once more crossed the USA but requires further funding to get him all the way round the world again as he plans to continue the trip via Japan, China, Mongolia and Russia. 

For the time being his well travelled Mini has been shipped back and is resting at the Beaulieu Motor Museum in an exhibit of cars that have completed similar 'Feats of Endurance'. 

During his extensive trips across the world it will be no surprise that Duncan has faced his fair share of adversity including problems crossing borders, mechanical break downs such as a wheel falling off his trailer, and he has encountered thieves who stole his equipment. 

Such problems have never dented the spirit of the long term adventurer who has also met a whole range of positive and helpful people on the road and has encountered Mini enthusiasts in just about every country he has visited. 

Duncan has raised a considerable amount of money, and raised awareness of his chosen charities - Great Ormond Street Hospital, Help for Heroes and Cancer Research UK - and we can only have the utmost respect for his fundraising efforts and feats of endurance. 

The Performance Direct Non Standard Awards are proud to have been a part of Duncan's adventures and we are extremely happy that Beaulieu have chosen to display the World Record Breaking car for all to see.

Classic Vehicles Museum

Beaulieu Motor Museum, situated in the heart of the New Forest, is a great day out for the whole family with such featured attractions as the World Record Breaking 'Bluebird', the famed DeLorean from 'Back to the Future' as well as Del Boys Reliant Regal.  The World of Top Gear is always a popular exhibit as is the James Bond exhibition. 

For the kids there is a range of rides and activities such as Go Karts and the Dipstick Driving Circuit.  There really is too much to mention going on at Beaulieu and certainly something for everyone.    In fact, I can't wait to get back there. 

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