“The East African Safari” (1964) is a color film documenting the 12th East African Safari Rally, held across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika (now Tanzania). Sponsored by Coca-Cola and Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury Division, the film follows 94 drivers, including the first American team in Ford Lincoln Mercury Comets, navigating East Africa’s rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. The backdrop of Kenya’s recent independence and the broader decolonization of East Africa plays a key role, and the film also highlights the participation of East Africa’s Indian diaspora, whose presence is significant given their forced exodus from the region in subsequent years. Musical score by Maurice Jarre, produced by Walter J Klein Co.

Film opens; Aerial view Pugu Hills Forest Reserve Tanzania (0:09). Opening credits (0:35). British drivers Peter Hughes and Billy Young (1:12). American participants arrive via TWA Boeing 707, greeted in Kenya (1:46). American red, white, and blue Ford Lincoln Mercury Comets prepped for race as local children watch (2:18). American Volvo PV544 (2:53). Close-up American Commando tires (3:05). Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury division competition chief, Fran Hernandez (3:22). Interior of TWA Boeing 707 (3:56). American Drivers: Kim Mandeville, Ray Brock, Singh Brothers (4:16). Map of racecourse (4:49). Cars begin race as crowds gather at starting line (5:31). Female drivers participate (5:59). Ford Lincoln Mercury Comets pull up to starting line, zoom off (6:06). Wildlife spotted along racecourse (6:19). Dusty scenes obscure drivers’ views (6:42). By dawn, five American Ford Lincoln Mercury Comets remain (7:13). Local woman sells goods roadside (7:39). Cars arrive in Jinja, Uganda; crowds gather (7:46). Car cross Nalubaale Hydroelectric Power Station (8:01). Special grills and horns on vehicles to chase off wild animals (8:16). Stark shift from arid landscape to forested Tororo, Uganda (8:37). View of Tororo Rock (9:00). Singh Brothers lead American Comet (9:46). Maasai warriors observe (10:00). Peter Hughes and Billy Young’s Ford Cortina #3 takes lead (10:17). Mike Armstrong and Peter Bates’ Ford Cortina #3 (10:34). Race reaches Mount Elgon, roads worsen (10:56). Vehicle #61 Nissan Cedric (11:49). Maasai wave at drivers (12:16). Lost #69 Ford Zodiac in Amudat, Uganda (12:35). Per-Gunnar Andersson’s #53 Volvo PV444/544 towed back to Nairobi (12:55). Aerial views of Tambach Escarpments, Erik Carlsson’s #28 Saab 96 (13:21). Volvo 122S crosses muddy passage (13:49). Winding roads around Mount Kenya (13:55). Vehicle checkpoint, damage assessed (14:11). #52 Citroën DS crashes off bridge (14:36). Rough muddy road conditions halt #92 MG 1100, locals push car (15:00). #92 MG 1100 serviced with chewing gum (15:26). Stones laid across road by disgruntled locals (15:39). Local woman smiles at camera wearing cloth featuring Coca-Cola logo (15:53). Northern leg complete, 32 vehicles lost so far (16:12). Cars head toward Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (17:19). Erik Carlsson wipes out (17:39). Muddy roads challenge vehicles at Kiroka Pass (18:51). #5 Vauxhall VX4/90 spins off into mud pit; #69 Ford Zodiac succumbs to similar fate (19:53). Aerial view Indian Ocean off Dar es Salaam (21:12). Spectators wait at likely Uhuru Stadium (21:19). Female drivers C.L. Cardwell and J.D. Lead (21:26). Pugu Hills (21:43). #69 Ford Zodiac crashes into swamp (22:20). Aerial view Pugu Hills Forest Reserve (22:49). Peter Hughes and Billy Young’s Ford #3 Cortina in Mbezi (23:18). ⅗ American Comets barred from completing race at Muheza (25:44). Aerial view homestretch dash from Mombasa to Nairobi (26:01). Crowds of all ages and backgrounds waiting for winners to cross finish line (26:56). Winners Hughes and Young in their Ford Cortina MK1 (27:09). Second Eric Carlsson, Gunner Palm crosses finish line (27:21). Third place Peter Walker, Viscount Kim Mandeville’s #81 American Comet (27:28). Next Singh brothers in #80 American Comet (27:42). Winners Hughes and Young speech while collecting prize (27:50). Trophies and prizes on hood of winning car (28:11). Ray Brock poses with trophy as front running American driver (28:20). Closing credits (28:51). Film ends (28:58).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com