Emile Leray (born 1949) is a French electrician who is most noteworthy for transforming a car into a motorcycle while stranded in the Sahara Desert.
In 1993, Emile Leray set off on a solo journey across the Moroccan desert in a Citroën 2CV, a lightweight French economy car. During his trip, he encountered a military checkpoint that prohibited him from continuing on his planned route. Wanting to bypass the checkpoint, he attempted to take a remote off-road path through the Sahara Desert—a risky decision that would soon lead to an incredible challenge.
“I had travelled round Africa about 10 times, so I knew the region well and therefore had no concerns,” — Leray told The Daily Mail. — “I decided to do it in a 2CV because, although it is not a 4×4, it is tough. In Africa they call it the ‘Steel Camel’ because it goes everywhere — provided you drive it gently. I obviously was too rough.”
Not long after, Leray’s 2CV broke down in the middle of the desert, far from civilization. With no way to call for help and limited supplies, he realized he had to take drastic action if he wanted to survive.
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