History 1970s

1978 Vuelta a la América del Sud (South America)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1978 Vuelta a la América del Sud

Date: August 17 – September 24, 1978

Host Region: South America

Surface: Mixed terrain (gravel, tarmac, mountain, desert)

Total Distance: ~30,000 km

Total Starters: Approx. 120 crews

Total Finishers: Fewer than 40 crews

The 1978 Vuelta a la América del Sud was one of the most ambitious long-distance rallies ever held, covering nearly 30,000 km over 39 days across ten South American countries. From tropical rainforests to Andean mountain passes, deserts to coastlines, the event tested not just speed, but logistics, survival, and mechanical resilience. Andrew Cowan and Colin Malkin, driving a robust Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC, triumphed over mechanical attrition, navigation nightmares, and brutal terrain to complete a career-defining win.

Route

Amazon Basin: Jungle heat, river crossings, and tropical downpours made stages unpredictable and exhausting.
Andes Mountains: High-altitude passes tested engine tuning, brakes, and driver concentration.
Pampas and Deserts: Flat-out sections mixed with deep dust, soft sand, and hidden hazards.

The rally passed through Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Uruguay—featuring every type of terrain imaginable over more than a month of continuous racing.

Crews faced long liaison sections, rugged bivouacs, and frequent tire and suspension failures—making the event as much an expedition as a competition.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Andrew Cowan & Colin Malkin · Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC
2nd Place
Jorge Recalde & Francisco Mayorga · Peugeot 504
3rd Place
Zbigniew Cieślar & Marian Bień · FSO Polonez 2000

Cowan’s cautious but consistent pace and Malkin’s faultless navigation were key to surviving the marathon—proving that strategy and durability beat raw pace in extreme events.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Multi-national Logistics: Crews needed to cross borders, deal with local fuel and repair access, and adapt to regional conditions.
  • Driver Fatigue: With limited rest and enormous distances, endurance was just as critical as car setup.
  • Mechanical Attrition: Rough roads, altitude shifts, and poor fueling options eliminated most of the field before the final week.

The 1978 Vuelta a la América del Sud remains one of the greatest endurance rallies ever staged—Cowan’s win sealed his reputation as a master of long-distance rally raids.

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