This Heroic Little Mini Attacks the Highest Volcano
- Published on 11/02/2025 13:42
- Modified on 23/09/2025 12:46
Falken challenged this 1974 Mini to travel 6,400 kilometers without a flat tire to attempt to reach the world’s highest volcano.
This feat was accomplished by Ben Coombs, who traveled through Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile with his Mini fitted with standard Falken 10-inch tires. At the peak of his adventure, after crossing one of the most arid regions on the planet, the Atacama Desert, the brave Mini momentarily became the highest car in the world. A new distinction for the small British car that won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964.
His journey, dubbed “Mini6000,” started in Montevideo, where he unloaded his car from a shipping container. After crossing the Argentine plains, he reached Ojos del Salado, a volcano standing at 6,893 meters. For Ben, experienced in extreme challenges after crossing the Americas in a TVR Chimera and Africa in a Porsche 944, this adventure was the most demanding.
Enduring temperatures of -20 °C, violent winds, and carrying 200 kg of equipment in and on his small Mini, Ben faced the deadly dangers of an ascent at 6,000 meters. With oxygen levels decreased by 25% from 3,000 meters, both man and machine suffered to complete their insane journey.
The Falken tires proved exemplary against sharp rocks, some of which are only 30,000 years old. “Even with reduced pressures for better traction, no flats were reported,” adds Ben.
Just 100 meters from the target, a carburetor issue forced the Mini to turn back. Despite this setback, the car then traveled another 2,400 kilometers to return… still equipped with the same tires!
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This page is translated from the original post "Cette héroïque petite Mini à l’assaut du plus haut volcan" in French.
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