Venerable Land Rover introduces contemporary update of '80s iconic 4x4s, albeit with a hefty price tag.
Land Rover delivers a special nod to the past with the presentation of the 'Trophy Edition,' a new Defender model honoring the iconic off-roaders that conquered the daunting Camel Trophy adventure races from the 80s.
The Trophy Edition vehicles will sport various accessories and a vintage camouflage livery, harkening back to the original Camel Trophy machines from nearly four decades ago.
The beginning of the Camel Trophy can be traced back to 1980, with an initial off-roading competition bearing Jeep-equipped German teams racing through the Amazon Basin. Recognizing the potential, organizers sought assistance from Land Rover for support and the cigarette company, Camel, as the primary sponsor, thus coining the name.
The challenges pushed the boundaries of motorsport, taking competitors across diverse locations such as Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Madagascar, Samoa, Siberia, Malaysia, and more. Over the two decades that the Camel Trophy persisted, numerous Land Rover vehicles, including the Range Rover, Land Rover Series III, Land Rover 90, Land Rover 110, Land Rover Defender, Land Rover Discovery, and Freelander, were used and painted in the distinctive 'Sandglow' yellow color.
The Trophy Edition is available exclusively as the mid-size, five-door Defender 110. It boasts impressive 20-inch alloy wheels, offering owners a choice between Deep Sandglow Yellow or Keswick Green paint. Both options feature contrasting black bonnet, wheel arches, and roof, as well as black leather interior with accents that match the exterior bodywork.
Customers can further enhance their Trophy Edition by purchasing the £4,995 accessory pack, featuring a roof rack, retractable roof ladder, gloss black side panniers, air-intake snorkel, and classic mud flaps for an authentic off-roading experience.
Although the Trophy Edition is on the pricier side, starting at £89,810, it is more wallet-friendly compared to the commemorative version produced by Land Rover Classic in 2021. This special edition, worth a staggering £195k per unit, quickly sold out in mere days, leading the Classic department to commission another 25 models to meet demand. Many original competition vehicles from the Camel Trophy era are still in circulation, making them highly sought-after collectibles among enthusiasts.
In March 2021, Iconic Auctioneers sold a 1992 Defender 110 Camel Trophy that competed in 1993 for £34,875, despite its less-than-ideal condition. Last year, Collecting Cars sold another genuine 1984 Camel Trophy Defender in remarkable condition for £31,500. Experts predict that these vehicles will appreciate in value, attracting collectors seeking authentic ex-competition cars, especially when proven to have covered genuine Camel Trophy miles.
The Trophy Edition is set to make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2022, allowing fans to witness the revival of Land Rover's off-road heritage firsthand. With this special edition, Land Rover honors the rich legacy of adventure challenges synonymous with the iconic yellow vehicles of the past.
- The Trophy Edition Defender, an homage to Land Rover's past, is a new model in the insurance industry, boasting vintage camouflage livery reminiscent of the vehicles used in the Camel Trophy adventure races of the 80s and 90s, which were significant events in the automotive industry and transportation sector.
- In finance terms, the Trophy Edition is available exclusively as the Defender 110, offering two color options: Deep Sandglow Yellow or Keswick Green, along with a £4,995 accessory pack to enhance its off-roading capabilities, thereby catering to the lifestyle preferences of those who appreciate automotive history and adventure.
- The Camel Trophy, a historical motorsport event that took competitors across continents and terrains, had a profound impact on the transportation and automotive industries, with various Land Rover models, such as the Defender, Discovery, and Range Rover, being utilized in the races and now becoming highly valued collectibles in the industry, often selling for significant figures at auctions.
