Land Rover suggests that one in four of us is ‘hard-wired to explore and discover’. If that’s really true, then what better way to traverse the world than by car? We’ve done some exploring for ourselves, in the Classic Driver Market…
1982 Land Rover Series 3
Stopping for the night in a hotel? Pah! The only way to be truly at one with the environment is by camping. And with this Land Rover Series 3 and matching accommodation trailer, it’s nowhere near as bleak as you might think. The Series 3 itself is immaculate, having been recently restored. Furthermore, its engine has been replaced with that from a later diesel Defender, so not only will you save on hotel bills, but also on fuel.
1984 Porsche 911 SC-RS
This is the eighth of only 20 Porsche 911 SC-RSs built, as a result of the partnership between cigarette giant Rothmans, Porsche’s head of customer racing programme Jürgen Barth, and Prodrive’s David Richards. Perhaps above anything else, it’s a car with which the legendary Finnish rally driver Henri Toivonen raced and won.
1962 Citroën 2CV Sahara 4x4
A Citroën 2CV might not seem like the ideal car to take on safari, but you’d be surprised. With a second engine powering the rear wheels in addition to the front, twin fuel tanks, reinforced suspension, and that folding canvas roof (perfect to observe from), it’s actually ideal for the African plains. Besides, it’s simple enough that, if it does get ravaged by lions and you somehow manage to stay alive, there will be somebody able to fix it in any village you can find – not something that can be said of many more modern cars.
1983 Mitsubishi Pajero
The Paris-Dakar rally is arguably the most gruelling endurance race on the planet. At 1984’s running of the event, Andrew Cowan drove this Mitsubishi Pajero to a class win, and third overall. As such, there’s almost nothing you couldn’t throw at this car. Remarkably, it looks as though it’s just left the factory, ready to tackle the Dakar all over again.
1955 Dodge M43 Military Ambulance
It’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why this Dodge M43 Military Ambulance could be the perfect vehicle to accompany you on your next big adventure, in almost any terrain. It’s as sparse and rugged as they come, and features fold-down cots for some minimalist camping, and storage boxes for all the necessary provisions. Alternatively, it would make for a fantastic bus in which to take the whole family to the Goodwood Revival in September.
2008 Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia
At the 2008 Transsyberia endurance rally, specially adapted Porsche Cayennes claimed the top six spots. Modifications included a stronger sump-guard, special rally-designed shocks, a complete roll cage, a shorter final gear, a roof-mounted snorkel and a navigation system that allows routes to be planned off road. If you were planning a serious expedition to the farthest-flung corners of the earth, you’d be hard-pushed to find a more suitable vehicle in which to do it. The coolest Cayenne in the world?
1961 Bentley S2
We know what you’re thinking – that a Bentley S2 is hardly an adventurer’s car. But you don’t have to travel to Outer Mongolia and traverse quagmires and jungles to scratch the exploring itch. Just think about how much of London or New York you’ve yet to see. And what better way to see it than from the reclined rear seat of a Bentley? It’s even believed that the original American owner of this example took delivery and toured the Old Continent with it, before shipping it back to America.
Numerous classic and modern cars, including a broad selection of historic racing cars, are added to the Classic Driver Market every week. You can find them all listed here.
