Vintage cheese and the perfect Malbec, a well-tailored suit and the crispest of white shirts, a mud-splattered supply rack clinging on to the roof rails of a sand-shaded Land Rover. There are certain things in this world that are perfectly matched, and The Camel Trophy was the ultimate match made in heaven for those seeking adventure, camaraderie and a healthy dosing of dirt under their fingernails. Turning 45 years old in 2025, The Camel Trophy brought together ambitious teams from around the globe who braved impossible terrain, bound together by mud, sweat, and the golden gleam of the Camel Trophy badge. Many Landy lovers have paid homage to the best 4x4xFar with the instantly recognisable Camel stickers, others have gone one-step further matching the paintwork of their old Discovery models to the original cars, but these two examples heading to Iconic Auctioneers sale in the NEC Classic Motor Show on November 9th are the real deal, serving as Team United Kingdom’s entrant and press car during the late 1990s.
At the heart of it all was Land Rover, whether it was a Defender clawing up a rain-slicked mountain trail, or a Discovery forging through rivers and jungles, these vehicles became symbols of rugged beauty and unbreakable will. The sight of a convoy of sand-coloured Land Rovers cresting a distant ridge came to define the very idea of exploration.
Starting with the immediately recognisable 4x4, the 1997 adventure would see competitors through the rugged terrain of Mongolia, with Land Rover Discovery 300 TDi models serving as both team and support vehicles. This Discovery is believed to have been a UK press or reconnaissance vehicle, equipped to the identical specification as the team cars that tackled the event, and has remained in single ownership for a staggering 25 years.
Two years later, The Camel Trophy would use Land Rover’s newest addition to the lineup for the event, a vehicle many would initially deem as a softer, more urban-friendly Land Rover. The 1998 event would change that perception, and examples such as this, the official entrant for the UK team, tackling the Tierra del Fuego expedition and remaining largely original, with much of its authentic Camel Trophy equipment still intact.
The Camel Trophy transformed Land Rovers into not just a highly capable vehicle, but a passport to the farthest corners of the earth. Popularity within the event, even 45 years on from its inception is still as strong, making these wonderful examples an absolute must-bid for any adventurers or Landy lovers. The best part? With such low estimates, both could potentially be purchased for less than a brand-new Defender 90!
Period images via Land Rover Press
