Shields Used Car reaches Mongolia

A 1995 M registered Ford Fiesta donated by Shields Autopark has travelled 10,000 miles to Mongolia.

Shields were set a challenge earlier in the year in a request from Anna Smith, Daily Mirror columnist and author, travelling with her partner Franco.

The challenge was simple.  We had to supply 'Team Odd Couple' with an older car that would be up to making the 10,000 mile ONE WAY trip over the worst terrain imaginable. Anna and Franco had agreed to do this madcap journey into the unknown for charity and immediately set out to attract sponsors to help achieve their goal.

We were glad to help.

Shields MD, Joe O'Donnell, briefed the sales, service and parts teams to source, fix and supply a car to Anna that we could happily put our name to. The Ford Fiesta was an excellent find. It coincided with Shields winning the Ford Franchise a week earlier and because it was a 'one lady owner', low mileage, super condition for it's year car, we immediately knew we had something to work with.

Anna and Franco were handed the keys to this wee gem and were delighted. It ticked all the boxes. Shields even supplied a roof rack to carry all the extras required for the trip.

Team Odd Couple departed London on 5th July from the start line of the 2008 Mongolian Charity Rally. They reached Mongolia on the 13th August after crossing the worst terrain known to drivers including the notorious Gobi Desert. The Fiesta got them there in style without as much as a puncture.

No doubt Anna, through her column in the Mirror, or perhaps through a new bestseller will have a hilarious account of the trip that must have shook a few bones for every competitor.  But don't let the idea of having fun or laughter take anything away from the achievement. This was one serious trip and we congratulate Anna and Franco for getting our wee car there. Viewers of Ewan Macgregor's attempts to do it  by motorbike in the TV programme "Long Way Down" will appreciate what they must have gone through.

Anna informs us she handed the keys of The Fiesta to a local charity operating in Mongolia. Probably a little dustier in condition but we are sure the charity will be delighted with their 'NEW' car and we trust it will get them through many more miles and years to come.

Well done Anna and Franco!