** Not a Land Cruiser post. This is more an adventure post but I hoped this group would appreciate. **
I am a partner in an enterprise that exports grains to Mexico and one of our valued customers is from Aguascalientes. He comes to visit occasionally and we've connected over automotive interests; he's restored this Jeep Alpina (Mexican market Wagoneer) and is working on a 2nd gen Ram 3500 now. He likes to come check out the shop and ask questions, he has to hire a lot out as he's not quite as mechanical himself.
This week he and his 12 year old son are on an adventure. Keep in mind, they are Mexican Nationals and this is a very volatile part of Mexico, but it's their home. They left Aguascalientes and crossed Durango before getting into Sinaloa on the way to Mazatlan. In the background is the Puente Baluarte, a supension bridge over Sinaloa border that is almost 1,400 feet above the riverbed (about 400' more than Royal Gorge).
At Mazatlan they rode a ferry (overnight) to La Paz and drove down to Cabo where they pick up Camino 1 and started the trek the full length of the Baja peninsula. At Tijuana they will ship their Alpina back to Aguas and fly home from San Diego.
I admire the adventurous spirit. He's been keeping me updated and sending pictures, He calls this a 'scouting' trip because he wants me to ship my 40 to Mazatlan and do the drive together next year. That's going to take some convincing... and saving. That said, I know what it's like to strike out with a set of wrenches, alternator, water pump, a few more parts, and pray you don't end up coming home on the hook. That's what makes trips like this so cool, the risk of failure, or opportunity to self-rescue.
The Alpina was equipped OEM with white wagon wheel and unique to it - a 4 speed on the floor transmission behind it's straight 6 powerplant.
