I'd like to point out at this juncture that Basil is the classic British explorer. All character and funny mannerisms - but get him facing adversity and he puts his head down and plugs away. He didn't hiccough during the entire trip, despite huge temperature variations, 2.5 km (!) in altitude variation and some fairly serious off-roading at times. While a more modern machine might have been more comfortable, it would not have been more capable nor as entertaining. It could not have been more reliable.