Several months ago, I took a leap of faith and bought a former emergency services Volvo XC70 ambulance off eBay—sight unseen. It had no MOT and far more faults than were listed. But after months of hard work, fixing countless mechanical issues, and transforming its look, Ragnar was reborn as a true overlanding machine.
To put it to the test? A 1,000-mile road trip from home all the way to the hills of Tuscany, Italy—just in time for our 30th wedding anniversary.
The Transformation: From Ambulance to Overlander
Gone are the emergency service decals, the bright yellow bonnet, and the broken drivetrain components. In their place:
✅ Dual battery system
✅ 240V hookup with electrical points & USB chargers
✅ New steering wheel & cruise control
✅ New power steering pump & fresh fluids
✅ A set of Falken Wildpeak A/T3W tires—which, by the way, have been phenomenal on this trip through every terrain except snow
Ragnar was officially roadworthy, adventure-ready, and eager to roam.
The Journey Begins: England to Tuscany
Our route took us through France, stopping at the historic Reims Raceway, where the legendary track has been beautifully restored and is open to the public. Then, we headed southeast, spending a night at The Golden Pheasant in Neuville-sur-Ain—where I had the best steak of my life, topped with a wild truffle sauce. Absolutely unforgettable.
From there, we climbed into the French Alps, through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, and emerged into the stunning Italian Alps before crossing the Great Northern Italian Plains.
A quick detour brought us to the charming coastal town of Lerici, where we stayed in a marina-side apartment and took our first Mediterranean swim of the year. There’s just something about that water—I could stay in it forever.
Exploring Tuscany: Wine, Hills, and Leaning Towers
Before reaching our destination, we swung by Pisa—because, well, you can’t just drive past the Leaning Tower and not stop! Then, we continued south into the heart of Tuscany, settling into a hillside hotel with breathtaking views of Volterra and the rolling countryside.
Tuscany was a feast for the senses—delicious food, a visit to a wine farm, and of course, a bit of adventure. I even found a hidden swimming spot in a crystal-clear mountain ravine. It was freezing—but absolutely worth it.
Heading North: Museums, Autobahns & High-Speed Runs
Leaving Tuscany, we made a pilgrimage to Modena, home to the Ferrari Museum and the Enzo Ferrari Museum—a must-see for any car lover. Then it was off to Milan to visit the incredible Alfa Romeo Museum, which alone is worth a trip to Italy.
From there, Ragnar tackled the Swiss Alps, cruised through Germany (where we hit top speed on the Autobahn), and finally, after crossing northern France, we hopped on the ferry back home.
The Verdict: Ragnar is Ready for More
This trip was the ultimate test for my eBay rescue, and Ragnar passed with flying colors. After everything, we’re just shy of hitting 200,000 miles, which feels like the perfect milestone for this journey.
Sure, it’s covered in dust, road grime, and adventure scars—but that’s exactly the way an Overlander should be. I don’t build show cars—I build cars for adventure.
And this is just the beginning. More epic road trips are coming soon.
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Happy Days! 🚙💨
