Dutch couple Dirk and Trudy Regter have embarked on an epic journey that started in the summer of 2012 on-board their 100-year old Ford Model T.

The Regters began their road trip by covering 22,000 km (14,000 miles) in 180 days during the first leg of the drive, which took them from Edam, Netherlands to Cape Town in South Africa.

In 2013, the couple conquered both the United States as well as Canada during a 28,000 km (17,000 mile) crossing, which also took them 180 days to complete. One year later, it took them 180 days to cover 26,000 km (16,000 miles) through South America.

So far, they have driven almost 80,000 km (50,000 miles) in total, visiting and supporting several projects run by the international children’s aid organization SOS – Children’s Villages.

“In Africa we had to weld a broken front wheel at the local blacksmith”, said Mr Regter. “I’m pretty handy and a screwdriver, hammer, some duct tape, tie wraps and tensioning straps go a long way.”

During 2016 and 2017, the plan is to continue making their way through New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and India, before crossing the Himalayas to China. The return trip back to the Netherlands will take place through Mongolia and then via Central Europe.

Dirk and Trudy Regter have owned their 1915 Ford Model T since 1997, while Dirk has long been passionate by vintage Fords, having previously owned a 1923 Model T and a 1928 Model A. Their 1915 model is powered by a 3.0-liter petrol engine which has the exact same specs as when it first left the factory over a century ago – aside from the larger tires for the wooden-spoked wheels which make the ride softer.

The highlight of their journey? “Highway 1 from Los Angeles to San Francisco is beautiful: steep slopes, deep ravines, mountains on one side and wonderful view of the ocean on the other. It’s breath-taking.”

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