One-of-26 Land Rover V8 Trophy Series II for sale
Nothing beats adventuring in a Defender, especially with a 405hp V8...
There are few tougher sports on this planet than off-road motor racing. The Dakar Rally took things to another level this year by introducing a mammoth 48-hour stage as part of the event’s 3,100-mile route, while beating the World Rally Championship became even tougher when the 500+ hybrid Rally1 monsters were introduced three years ago. And don't forget the Baja 1000, which packs some of the hardest terrain a car can face and spreads it across a short (by Dakar standards) sprint across Mexico’s north-western peninsular. Short of leaving the earth's orbit, there simply aren’t many sterner tests of mankind and machine.
Wind the clock back several decades and you’d have ranked the Camel Trophy among the toughest competitions of the lot. While the aforementioned rallies and marathons test both resilience and speed, the Camel Trophy featured such hostile conditions that merely surviving the expedition was an achievement in itself. The inaugural trek took place in 1980 with only a trio of German-backed Jeep CJs, but Land Rover, realising the trek’s humongous marketing potential, decided to become the event’s supplier from 1981. Land Rover models would be fielded at every Camel Trophy until 1998, with the event ultimately winding up in 2000.
Most Land Rover models would be put to the test over the two-decade run, including the Freelander in the marque’s final year of participating, and they were heavily modified (winches, spotlights, tougher suspensions and much, much more) to meet the exceptionally high demands of each trial. So special were these cars, especially when dressed in the distinctive sand colour scheme of the Camel cigarette company, that they’re highly sought after by collectors who fancy a Land Rover that’s seen it all without going through the ordeal themselves. If, however, you're after one of the old, weather-beaten challengers without having to actually deal with an old, weather-beaten Land Rover, you could always consider the car we have here.
As the sticker on the door says, this is a Land Rover Defender Trophy. A Series II, no less, which followed the Camel Trophy-themed Series I in 2022 and served as a celebration of Land Rover’s 70-year history in expeditions (including the Camel Trophy, the G4 Challenge successor and various other off-road trials). While the 110 was traditionally the preferred platform for adventurers, the Series II special also encompassed the 110 Double Cab and 90 like the one here. Donor cars were sourced from the 2012-2016 Defender line, before the unibody arrived in 2019, though Land Rover Classic still carried out a thorough restoration on each one to ensure they were ready for adventure at a moment’s notice.
All cars were powered by a 5.0-litre V8 with 405hp and 379lb ft of torque, and fitted with an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. New suspension and beefier brakes were included to cope with the extra grunt, while a handling kit sharpened up the steering. Inside, the restoration team upped the luxury with leather trim, deep Recaro sport seats and a Trophy-branded clock in the centre console. Sure, it’s a lot jazzier than what the Camel Trophy crews had to put up with, but Series II owners were still invited to their very own expedition to add a dash of adventuring kudos to their glammed-up off-roader.
Details of said expedition are scarce, but the accompanying photos suggest whatever trials it was subjected to weren’t exactly Camel Trophy or C4 Challenge-grade. Which is a good thing, because that should mean it's as close to brand new as its 200-miles-since-restoration suggests. Land Rover Classic wants £225,000 for it, which is more than what an old Camel Trophy car will set you back, but if it’s actual adventuring you’re after then the newer, restored Defender seems like the more sensible choice. Alternatively, there’s this 110 support car that does without the posh interior and V8 for £59,950. Better still, buy the pair and take some mates on a Camel Trophy of your very own.
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