Current Date: 25 Sep, 2026
{{entry.title}}

Man Trapped in the Sahara Desert Constructs a Bike From His Broken-Down Car to Save His Life

A man who became lost in the desert disassembled his broken-down car and turned it into a functional motorcycle, which he used to escape.

Emile Leray, a Frenchman, was driving his Citroen 2CV—a lightweight vehicle similar to the Tata Nano, but with a debut in the 1940s—alone through Morocco in 1993. He was on his way to Tilemsem when Moroccan authorities stopped him and ordered him to turn around due to disturbances in the city of Tan-tan.

Man Trapped in the Sahara Desert Constructs a Bike From His Broken Down Car to Save His Life 1
Photo Credit Abhishek Saksena / indiatimes.com

Despite turning around, he was determined to get to Tilemsem. He made the decision to avoid Moroccan authorities by going the long way around. He eventually found himself through rural terrain without any roads. He pushed his automobile, which had already become very heavy from the supplies he was taking on his own trip, to the limit in an attempt to escape the forces.

Man Trapped in the Sahara Desert Constructs a Bike From His Broken Down Car to Save His Life 2
Photo Credit: 2 CV magazine

However, Murphy’s law intervened and the automobile slammed into a stone so hard that the swing-arm and axle were broken. The automobile was standing still. He concluded that the best course of action was to turn the car into a motorcycle and ride it to safety because he was far from civilization and frightened of getting arrested.

Man Trapped in the Sahara Desert Constructs a Bike From His Broken Down Car to Save His Life 3
Photo Credit Abhishek Saksena / indiatimes.com

He took the body off the automobile and set it up as a temporary tent to work on the motorcycle. The engine and transmission were placed in the middle of the chassis after it was shortened and the wheels were reattached to the ends. This “motorcycleseat “‘s was made from a car’s bumper! He even fastened the car’s license plate to the bike. He had intended to complete all of this work in three days, but it took him twelve.

Man Trapped in the Sahara Desert Constructs a Bike From His Broken Down Car to Save His Life 4
Photo Credit Abhishek Saksena / indiatimes.com

The astonishing part is that he accomplished this without using any tools. He may have benefited from having electrical training and prior experience traveling in Africa. Still, given the circumstances, this is a success.

Man Trapped in the Sahara Desert Constructs a Bike From His Broken Down Car to Save His Life 5
Photo Credit: 2 CV magazine
Similar Stories
The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

Major Claude Hensinger jumped out of a B-29 bomber during World War II when the engine caught fire. He was saved by his parachute. Later, he requested that his fiancée Ruth make him a gown out of the same parachute. The dress is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

Before "The Rock," There Was "Rocky Maivia"

Before "The Rock," There Was "Rocky Maivia"

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s first WWF persona was Rocky Maivia, a face (good guy). The audience rejected him due to his cheesy character, with chants of “Die, Rocky, die!”. After this, he became a heel (villain), referring to himself in the third person as “The Rock” and insulting the audience.

Why Is the N Lowercase in 7-Eleven?

Why Is the N Lowercase in 7-Eleven?

7-ELEVEN is thought to have a lowercase "n" in its logo because the company president's wife believed that a logo with all caps would seem harsh, while a lowercase "n" would make it more graceful.

The fearless Annie Lee Cooper

The fearless Annie Lee Cooper

Annie Lee Cooper was fired in 1963 after attempting to register to vote. She attempted it once more in 1965, but the sheriff ordered her to leave after prodding her in the neck with a club. She then punched him, causing him to fall to the ground. She was imprisoned before ultimately registering to vote. Following the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the sheriff was ousted and subsequently imprisoned for collaborating to transport drugs, but Annie Lee Cooper lived to reach 100 years old and bears her name to this day.

Man uses first-class ticket to eat for free at airport's VIP lounge for almost a year

Man uses first-class ticket to eat for free at airport's VIP lounge for almost a year

A Chinese man purchased a First Class Ticket, which included admission to a VIP Lounge with free food. Over the course of a year, he rescheduled over 300 times in order to receive over 300 free dinners. When questioned, it was discovered that he is rescheduling his reservation to another date after eating. He eventually cancelled the ticket and got a full refund.

Australian man dies, comes back to life, and wins the lottery twice

Australian man dies, comes back to life, and wins the lottery twice

Bill Morgan, an Australian, is a man who has beat the odds. He escaped death by surviving a horrific automobile accident and heart attack before collapsing into a coma and going on to win the lotto twice. He went from losing virtually everything to winning far more than he could have imagined.

JBJ Soul Kitchen: Bon Jovi's community restaurant

JBJ Soul Kitchen: Bon Jovi's community restaurant

JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant by Jon Bon Jovi with no prices on the menu; customers donate to pay for their meals. If you are unable to donate you may do volunteer work in exchange for your family’s meal.

A subway in Chongqing passes through a building (images)

A subway in Chongqing passes through a building (images)

A train has been constructed through an apartment complex in Chongqing, China. The 19-story residential structure is not only passed by the light rail passenger train, but it also serves as a transit stop. Apartment residents can simply get a ride from the sixth to eighth levels.

The accidentally discovery of Riace bronzes

The accidentally discovery of Riace bronzes

Stefano Mariottini was snorkeling off the coast of Monasterace near Riace in 1972 when he noticed a human hand sticking out of the sand and called the police, thinking it was a corpse. It was actually two statues of "Warriors from Riace" - 5th century BC Greek bronze statues.