Ultimate, Extreme Overlanders

A look at the legendary 4x4s of The Turtle Expedition

- Tori Tellem

Fifty years ago, living on the road seemed plausible only for hippies and senior citizens. Or at least it certainly felt like an unattainable reality to the Four Wheeler staff and many of our readers. Modify a 4x4 to be a full-service home? Disappear yet be self-sufficient? Get away from it all while still being at the center of everything? What would you even call this bent reality?

Five decades ago, Gary and Monika Wescott—with their series of extreme Turtle Expedition vehicles— were pretty much the original Overlanding influencers, having the worldly adventures we all wanted to have, all from the vehicles they built just for that purpose.

The Wescott's traveled the backroads and main roads of multiple continents experienced people and cultures in a way few travelers ever had before them and thrived on an open-ended camping/exploration trip that made many of us question how our own wanderlust could ever truly be satisfied simply from random weekend getaways. Plus, they got to road test upgrades for custom 4x4s on every possible terrain and in all weathers throughout North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. They even managed to make massacres to their 4x4 mobile homes, such as blown-out rubber and exploding axles in the middle of nowhere, enviable experiences.

The following pages revisit the Turtles as well as their specs—or act as an introduction if you’re new to the Wescott's and their rides. You can also head over to fourwheeler.com and search “Turtle Expedition” or visit turtleexpedition.com for even more details and read more of their stories from the road.

SOURCE

The Turtle Expedition, Unlimited turtleexpedition.com

TURTLE I

GENERAL