The most famous and toughest rally in the world presents a challenge for all of its participants. Some of them, however, have decided to take the adventurous spirit of the competitions a little bit further. 

Some of the most bizarre vehicles of ther Dakar have gone down in history for their extravagant designs. Their drivers took on the rally’s challenge with an extra touch of originality, imagination, and humor.

The line-up of these crazy team includes a Vespa P200E, a Citroën 2 HP of 1963, a Renault 4L, a Rolls-Royce 4WD and a Toyota 4×4-French fry stall. As it was to be expected they have not starred in any epic Dakar duels but they have been champions in their own way.

The Renault 4L of the Marreau brothers 

The first edition of the Dakar took place in 1979 and among the participants were brothers Claude and Bernard Marreau. These brave siblings got behind the wheel of a Renault 4 L.

They came in fifth overall and second in cars. Delighted with the experience, Claude returned a year later and managed to finish in the third position. It was one of the most bizarre vehicles of ther Dakar… and most successful.

One Vespa P200E and four brave men

Solely taking part in the most demanding race on the planet is a Herculean adventure. Doing it on a motorcycle is even more strenuous. So, how do you describe the challenge of traveling the 10,000 km through Algeria, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Senegal on a Vespa P200E in 1980?

Well, we could ask Marc Simonot, Bernard Tcherniavsky, and their other two team-mates. The four adventurers took part in the second edition of the Rally on board such an unfitting vehicle. As incredible as it might seem Marc and Bernard managed to cross the checkered flag at Lake Retba. Simply heroic, riding other of the most bizarre vehicles of ther Dakar. 

A fake 4×4 Rolls- Royce

A group of friends including Thierry de Montcorgé and Jean-François Pelletier were having a meal when the latter started complaining about the constant mechanical issues he was having with his Rolls-Royce.

His friends then suggested to the wealthy car owner he could make better use of his faulty vehicle by destroying it in the desert.

What started as a bit of a joke began to take shape the day after. In order to solve the shortcomings of the luxurious vehicles’ mechanics and adapt It to the harshness of the terrain, they mounted the body of the Rolls-Royce on a Toyota 4×4 chassis. 

Christian Dior sponsored the venture and in exchange placed an advert for its latest man perfume, Julius, on the bodywork of the car. When they took the start at the Place du Trocadero in Paris nobody could believe their eyes.

Unfortunately, the team suffered a crash with a truck in Burkina Faso when they were in the fifteenth position and finished the stage out of the maximum time permitted by the organization.

Race director Thierry Sabine, allowed the party to continue in the race without competing. Their feat gained international attention and their arrival in Dakar, escorted by three combat aircraft, was spectacular.

The popularity came to be a very profitable investment for Christian Dior which recovered its investment three-fold thanks to the immense publicity.
Rolls-Royce, in the other hand, didn’t make the most of the experience as they became overflowed by requests for a model that simply didn’t exist.  This was the story of one of the most bizarre vehicles of ther Dakar… and luxury.

A 1963 Citroën 2CV 

The idea of entering a Citroën 2CV in the Dakar came from the members of one of its fan clubs who wanted to homage their beloved vehicle.

They took a 1963 model and reinforced its chassis and suspensions. They also fitted the old vehicle, nicknamed Bi-Bip, with two Citroën Visa engines, giving it 100hp.

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Unfortunately, they had to retire during the fourth stage in Uarzaqzat in Morrocco due to some issues with their rear suspension. 

A racing chips stall 

We have left the most bizarre vehicles of ther Dakar ‘premium’ selection for the end. A completely bonkers idea: The Toyota Pick-up of 2009. The 4×4 belonging to the company Ch’ti Friterie incorporated a French fry stand in its cargo space.

If nothing else, its crew, led by Hervé Diers, certainly became very popular among rally participants who received free fries after each day. 

Not that it mattered much to them but they also managed to finish in 58th place.

The most bizarre vehicles of ther Dakar Main image: Unknown Author.