Andrew Cowan

Andrew Cowan, from Duns in southern Scotland, attracted attention in 1977 together with Colin Malkin and Mike Broad by winning the London - Sydney cross-country rally, which covered more than 30,000 kilometres, in a Mercedes-Benz 280 E. After this sensational success by a private driver, there was one more reason for Mercedes-Benz to expand the brand's activities in rallying, which is what finally happened under the leadership of Erich Waxenberger.

Cowan confirmed his special qualities in tackling cross-country rallies a year later by winning the almost 29,000-kilometre Rally Vuelta a la América del Sud. Together with Colin Malkin, he was on the road this time on a factory-prepared 450 SLC. In 1979, together with Klaus Kaiser, he fought his way to third place in the further developed 450 SLC 5.0 in the Bandama Cȏte d'Ivoire Rally, which was part of the World Rally Championship and ended with a quadruple victory for the large Mercedes-Benz coupés.

Even after the end of his active career in 1990, Cowan remained involved in rallying in leading positions, for example as head of the Mitsubishi works team in the World Rally Championship for several years.