It’s the survival of the biggest, not the fittest. Size matters! I entered the St Lucia Skiboat Club bar recently (for a pub lunch, of course), and overheard a conversation that went something like, “Mine’s way bigger than yours!” “No way, but mine goes deeper…” and almost did an about-turn, not wanting to get involved in any dubious macho bragging match. Then Dallie Terblance walked in, and insisted “But I have the reddest one”. When a loud unanimous, “Show us!” was the answer, I almost jumped into the lake with fright.
Dallie then did an about-turn and walked outside, followed by a noisy ragtag bunch of fishermen. And there, in the car park, stood Dallie, with his hand on his pride and joy. Of course! What was I thinking? They were boasting about their 4x4s, and Dallie’s was without question the absolute King of the Jungle! His testosterone filled, red 1973 Unimog short wheelbase, standing on huge 385/65R22.5 tyres, just dropped everybody’s jaws!
Unimogs were built by Mercedes Benz since the early 1950s, used mostly in para-military applications, but the older ones have lately ended up as ‘boys’ toys’. This ’Mog was rebuilt in 2009 to tow a 7-metre metre skiboat with two 150 hp Yamaha outboards on the back. No problem. I bet Dallie could pull a few chicks with it too!
