Truckster (Vic) replied:

Why are you suprised? You wouldnt risk it in anything else would you???

But ... was it Rosie?

Member - Rick (S.A.) replied:

It follows that one should read

" Dune is a four letter word "
by Griselda Sprigg & Rod Maclean. pub Wakefield.

This is an easy read, full of anecdotes about their holiday/working trips to many Outback regions, before they became 'fashionable'.

And if you wish to have some more references about the Simpson, including how it got its name:

"Crossing the dead heart" by Dr C (Cecil) T Madigan. pub JB Books, with a forward by Colin Harris, a pre eminent source of knowledge about the mound springs/ L Eyre/ Simpson region.

Or you could look up www.simpsondesert.fl.net.au

Cheers

GO_OFFROAD replied:

And one of the members here actually has that nissan patrol G60 that first crossed the Simpson.

Des Lexic replied:

And I thought it was some lanky South African and his mate driving a couple of Suzuki's. How dissapointing.
Both books mentioned by Rick are a great read. Reg and his family were crossing the desert while his company were running out sisemic lines and is was not without incident.

theshadows replied:

Only thing to say ...GO THE G60 ...Go you good thing

shadow

Peter replied:

i bought a new g60 in 1970/71 for $5143.00 incl f/w hubs,drove it to Gove,and used it for 8yrs incl 2 trips to darwin,which then took about 4/5 days sold it when i left for more than i paid for it

Rhubarb replied:

I was of the believe that the Leyland brothers were the first to cross the Simpson by vechile in Landrovers.

I read it in Mike Leylands Biography. I will pull it out tonight to double check if I am remembering corrrectly. (Unless they are claiming the first South/North crossing...?)

Peter 2 replied:

Just looking at the Leylands book about their trip (Where Dead Men Lie) and they travelled west to east from Andado to Birdsville roughly in line with the Madigan line.
Started from Steep pt on 3rd May 1966 and finished in Byron Bay on 20th august 1966. The section from Andado to Birdsville took from 15th July till August the 5th.
The Spriggs travelled in similar route, possibly a bit further south, but it would appear that the first vehicle crossing should go to them in 1962 in a G60 Patrol. They were joined by two Toyota's and an International Scout towards the eastern side for the trip into Birdsville.
Funny though I couldn't find any pics of the G60 in 'Dune' but there are quite a few of the Toyota's. But the Nissan is definitely mentioned as the vehicle used in the text.
I also echo Willem's comments on Mark Shephards book on the Simpson.
Mark also wrote a similar book on the Great Victoria Desert which is also a must read before travelling in the area.

Bros replied:

Willem,
Are you sure that there was not a little piece of toyota on the nissan somewhere. Maybe a wheel nut or two.
Cheers,
Bros.

Davoe replied:

There you go , I would have just assumed it was a landrover as they seem to be the comercial vehicle of choice before yota took over