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1990 Daihatsu Charade in Mongol Rally

The Mongol Rally is an annual exercise in lunacy wherein entrants must drive somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 grueling, dangerous miles (depending on route taken) from London to Mongolia in some seriously crappy cars. Engines must displace less than 1 liter, and while organizers allow drivers to prepare their cars for the punishing event, if they decide that the pre-rally mods make the car too good, they'll fine the driver (that money, like the $1000 entry fee, goes to Mongolian charities).

Once out in the wild, all the two-man teams (a driver and co-driver) are completely on their own. Breakdowns could happen in very remote locations, so participants are advised to get in touch with their inner MacGyvers. This year, 160 cars left Hyde Park on July 22nd. 19 were abandoned along the way, 64 have completed the rally, and 77 are still out there somewhere.

One of the cars, a 1990 Daihatsu Charade purchased for -- get ready -- £150 on eBay actually finished the event. That alone is ridiculous, but wait, it gets even better: the little Daihatsu never broke down. The "Mongolian Taxi Service" team, comprised of 21-year-old David Mayo and his dad, Tony, split time behind the wheel and arrived at the finish line after 20 days on the road. They described the conditions they experienced along the way as "atrocious." Awful conditions aside, the Mayos made good time, seeing as they were the fifth team to finish this year's rally.

They reportedly chose the Charade because they figured a Japanese car would be reliable. Good call.

(Press release after the jump)

[Sources: Daihatsu, Mongol Rally]

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1990 Daihatsu Charade completes Mongol Rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Aug 2006 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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