Mini GT x Land Rover
A Legacy of Adventure and Endurance
Land Rover, a renowned British automobile brand, traces its
origins to the aftermath of World War II, when the need for robust and
versatile vehicles was paramount. The first Land Rover was introduced by the
Rover Company in 1948 and was inspired by the American Jeep. Designed primarily
as an agricultural vehicle, it quickly gained popularity for its ruggedness and
adaptability. Its aluminum body, due to a post-war steel shortage, and its
four-wheel drive capabilities made it a favorite among farmers and adventurers
alike. Over the decades, Land Rover models have evolved, maintaining their
reputation for durability and off-road prowess. This has made them
indispensable in various expeditions and races around the globe. Land Rovers
have been used in traversing the harsh terrains of the Sahara Desert,
navigating the dense forests of the Amazon, and enduring the icy landscapes of
the Arctic. They are also a staple in competitive events such as the Camel
Trophy and the Dakar Rally, where their reliability and performance are put to
the ultimate test. The legacy of Land Rover as a vehicle built for adventure
continues to thrive, embodying the spirit of exploration and resilience.
Mini GT have created many legendary Land Rover models that represent
the history and legacy of how we know Land Rover today.
Camel Trophy 1989, Amazon
In 1989, the Camel Trophy held its 10th event in Brazil's Amazon forest. Known as the "Olympics of 4x4," each team driving a Land Rover Defender 110 faced extreme challenges. Skilled driving and physical endurance were required to navigate hazards and various weather elements. During the event, mud on the Transamazonica Highway became so thick that teams struggled to move, so much so in one day, they covered only 800 meters in 24 hours.
The route also had each team go through thick forests and
required each vehicle to go by barge for 500 km of the total distance of 1,410
km.
There were 14 Teams and Mini GT so far made vehicles for 4 of the
10 teams (2 different versions for Team UK). Additionally, Mini Gt released a Land Rover Defender
110 Support vehicle.
The first version was created for the winning team from the
UK, driven by Bob Ives and Joe Ives. It comes in
standard and a dirty version, possibly to represent the days these cars were stuck in the mud.
The Land Rover Support Vehicle is a Sinopec Exclusive Item.
Team France was later made, driven by Bernard Duc & Yvan
Dorier.
Team Japan was also made which was driven by Yukiyasu Uda
& Niroyuki Kiku Chi.
Finally, Team Turkey’s Land Rover was released and was
driven by Yusuf Avimelek and Cem Nomer.
Camel Trophy 1982, Papua New Guinea
Mini GT created Team USA’s Range Rover for the 1982 event in Papua New Guinea. Two USA teams competed against Holland, Germany, and Italy starting from New Guinea island. Harsh terrain required building bridges and repairing roads. An iconic moment occurred when teams met the Asaro Mud Men. Mini GT commemorates this event with a box set including Asaro Mud Men figurines and the Range Rover.
Regular Clean Version
Dirty Version Box Set with Asaro Mud Men Figurines
Trans-Americas Expedition 1971
In 1971, explorer John Blashford-Snell led an expedition
with two Range Rovers from Anchorage, Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. The
18,000-mile journey took over a year, with the team including members of the
British Army's 17th/21st Lancers Cavalry. The vehicles, registered as VXC-765K
and VXC-868K, were equipped with roof racks, bridging ladders, winches, and
cargo space for the trip. Mini GT created a model of vehicle 868K that includes
all its equipment.
Hill Rally, Wales, England 1971
The first hill rally in May 1971, though challenging to
organize, was hailed as the birth of a new form of motorsport by BBC
broadcaster Michael Frostick, a vision largely brought to life by Roger Fell.
Fell's early passion for Land Rovers and off-road travel, coupled with his
experience in competitive trials like the Proteus Trial (which he co-created),
positioned him uniquely when a sponsorship opportunity arose. Land Rover,
seemingly interested in showcasing their new Range Rover without direct involvement
in the event's organization, indirectly facilitated the creation of this new
competition.
When tobacco company Gallaher, seeking motorsport
sponsorship, approached Land Rover, Fell seized the opportunity to organize a
pilot hill rally, despite an aggressive timeline and limited resources. He
secured a BBC filming agreement and chose Wales for its accessibility and
existing motoring event infrastructure. Despite organizational hurdles,
including navigating uncharted regulations and securing volunteer support, the
first Senior Service Hill Rally took place. While it experienced teething
problems, it was largely praised as the dawn of a new off-road motorsport
discipline. However, Fell was later sidelined for the second event, and despite
a third rally in 1972, the financial viability of large-scale, unsponsored
off-road competitions proved difficult.
Mini GT created the Range Rover that won the first rally in
1971, driven by Roger Crathorne and Vynwy Evans, members of the Rover Owner’s
Association.
- Camel Trophy Club: https://sites.google.com/view/cameltrophyclub/home?authuser=0
- The Dunsfold Collection - Trans America Expedition: https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/trans-americas-expedition/
- Land Rover Monthly - The First Hill Rallies - https://www.landrovermonthly.co.uk/articles/uk's-first-hill-rallies/
