In addition to being travel nuts, we’re also automotive geeks. With our history being well-grounded in England, we tend to gravitate to news that originates from that fair land. We can’t help it. And, one of the things that England (used to) do well was to build singular and desirable automobiles. (They still do, of course, but – to us -anyway they don’t quite have that je ne sais pas that the old cars had.) So, whenever we see a Triumph Stag or – rarely – a Morgan or at Caterham buzz by us, or even appear on the telly, our hearts pound a little faster.
When those kinds of cars were manufactured all those decades ago, the manufacturing was not as clever or robust as it is now. British classic car fans often have a bumper sticker that proclaims “genuine British parts falling off this car.” The biggest threat, though, was rust, pure and simple. The manufacturers got on top of that eventually, but not before so many classic cars had turned into piles of iron and paint. The cars are first-class nowadays. And car enthusiasts are smarter now, too.
So, we get excited when we learn when another classic, irreplaceable vehicle is found, restored and shown to rabid car buffs like us. But, when you hear of a one-off landmark vehicle is found and saved, that is something to jump up and down about. And that’s what’s happened here: the very first Land Rover, almost relegated to dust, was found, saved and brought back to life. What’s even better is that this gem was not subsequently stored in a museum. No – what’s the first thing they did with it? Took it to the Gobi Desert of course!
Watch the video, below, with the ever-thrilled Richard Hammond gets as excited as we do.
Hertz have classic car rentals. Click here to look and book. Mention Matouring, if you please.
Need a regular car? AutoEurope is your top choice. Click here to book.