Porter Press is releasing another book about a Land Rover Defender. As with the book JUE477, it is about an old Defender. However this time it’s not about a restoration but about an adventure through Africa. Those who know us know that we love road trips & adventure so this book was really not to be missed.

Solo trip

When Philip Kohler left his homeland South Australia in 1955, he had his sights set on the United Kingdom. However, the man had an insatiable hunger for travel and adventure that eventually led him to Northern Rhodesia. Apparently, one of his wishes was to make a solo crossing of the Sahara desert. The dream seemed to be coming true.

Land Rover Defender series II

The entire journey would take three years, which he would complete with his crummy Land Rover and a Leica camera. He finally arrived in London in the second half of 1962.

Stunning photography

Philip had a Leica to document his journey. Fortunately, he also had a good sense of composition, which enabled him to make a beautiful series of photos over the years. The book is richly illustrated with over 300 photos.

Career in the photo and film industry

The adventure that Philip had experienced would have an enormous impact on his professional life. His talents as a photographer had already been proven and a coincidental meeting with John Wayne opened the gates to the film industry.

Exceptional journey

What makes the journey through Africa so special is that he drove it solo and without sponsors. There was no modern-day communication as we all know it. If a problem arose, you had to find a solution yourself.

Martin Port

Martin Port’s latest book tells the story of Philip Kohler with a focus on his trans-African Land Rover. The book is richly illustrated with photos of the journey starting in Australia and ending in Europe, including stunning colour photos of London in the 1950s.

Martin Port has owned and driven classic cars for 30 years. From the humble Morris Minor to an AC Buckland and a Porsche 912. His great passion is for classic Land Rovers.
Since buying his first as an antidote to Porsche ownership, he has travelled across Europe and North Africa at the wheel of several of them.

Since 2016, he has been the proud owner of the 1959 Trans-Africa Series II, using the 63-year-old as his favourite daily vehicle. The car had stood still for years so it needed some work. However, the intention was to keep the car as original as possible.

The book is available in good bookshops or directly from Porter Press.
It has 144 pages and costs £30;
ISBN: 978-1-913089-29-0

Report: Patrick Verheeken
Photos: Porter Press