What is an overland vehicle? Is it a merely a tool used to achieve your goal of travel, or is it in some ways part of the fun and experience of the adventure. While the option you choose should be capable and prepared for the journey ahead, you can’t forget that the reason we travel isn’t simply to create an “adventure”, but to have fun and enjoy the travel and surrounding culture. So whether it’s a Mini Cooper, classic BMW motorcycle, or a large bright orange forward control Land Rover, let loose a little, pick a vehicle that puts a childish smirk on your face, and as a wise man recently told me let the trip take you.
This 1975 Land Rover 101 is one of the cleaner FCs we’ve seen and appears to be” expedition ready” as the advertisement states. It’s received a full engine rebuild around 27,000 miles ago and all new seals, battery, starter etc over the course of the last several years. This “expensive conversation piece” as the owner calls it, has seen its fair share of attention in the community between a feature in Land Rover Monthly to a story on drivetheglobe.com. While that is partly for the great looks and cool equipment on the vehicle, I would guess that it has more to do with the impressive feat of completing a 4,800-mile trip to the Arctic Circle and back in a 1970s Land Rover. It may not have been as reliable or comfortable as a Hilux would have been, but I can guarantee with rover electronics and a soft-shell back end it was certainly more interesting.
Check out this cool truck on Expedition Portal here:
Here’s what the owner has to say:
I’ve decided to sell my “expensive conversation piece”, a one of a kind ex-Military Land Rover. Driving this is like starting your own parade, nearly every passing car ends up pointing, waiving, etc. It’s right hand drive so my 9 year old loves riding in what is normally the drivers seat. This particular 101 is fairly well known in certain circles, as it’s been in Land Rover Monthly magazine, is featured on drivetheglobe.com when it completed a 4800 mile expedition to the Arctic Circle, etc. I have owned it for several years and along the way have had all of the driveline seals replaced, new battery, starter and more replaced or upgraded. The engine was rebuilt prior to my ownership, approx. 27K miles ago. Believe it or not, I get 12-14mpg with this. Top speed is 60-65 but it cruises nicely at 55. Tires are Michelin XL military units and have tons of tread remaining. As you can see by the photos, it has a full exo-skeleton cage including stainless panels on top and a solar panel as well for the 2 batteries. Zeus front disc brake conversion ($1800 for parts alone!) and new rear brakes last year. Inside there is an Extreme Air compressor ($575) with air lines to either side of the vehicle for airing up tires, etc. New rear bench seats with new belts seat up to 4 plus the 2 seats upfront. CD Stereo in custom overhead box, wired for CB. upgraded Hella H4 euro headlights and 4 Hella lights up top (2 fog, 2 driving). PTO winch does not operate and I’ve not gotten in depth as to what it will take to get it working. Right hand turn signal doesn’t work (again, have not taken time to track it down). Two small rust areas that look identical to when I purchased it. Full size spare plus another spare comes with the vehicle. 2nd canvas top is included, as are a separate custom stainless gas and water tank (neither are mounted at the moment). It is in very good condition as the photos reflect. I have both the owners manual and factory service manual and a box of other miscellaneous parts, as will be a stack of British magazines dedicated to Land Rover 101’s. Ready to hunt zombie’s, explore central America or take your friends wine tasting…This is clearly not something you’ll buy with a car loan, so any callers will need to have cash available to purchase. Once it’s sold there will not be another. No emails please, but if you call I am happy to send more photos etc.
