Just a thought but did any of the ex Astran or Middle East drivers on here know the driver who took the author of Cola Cowboys on his trip to M/E for the book?
I think his name was Trevor somebody and was quite an established M/E hand at that time.
No particular reason for asking, just wondering thats all, and was the tale of him being nearly lynched by a mob of Turkish villagers, leaving scars on his neck true, or abit of journalistic licence 
Cheers, bullitt.
PS, come on chaps, about time we had some more tales and memories (with pics if possible) of those Middle East heydays. 