Description

Motodrome offer this 1995 Land Rover Discovery 300TDi Camel Trophy event car
This isn’t a replica, or ‘shamel’ as they’re known, or a ‘Camel Trophy LE’ – it’s the real thing, built and prepared by the factory to full 1995 Camel Trophy spec.
The 1995 ‘Mundo Maya’ Camel Trophy took place in Central America across Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, and is regarded as one of the most gruelling Camel Trophy expeditions, and the iconic Sandglow Yellow Discovery 300TDi’s are synonymous with the event, and are now highly prized among Land Rover aficionados.
Over 30 years on and M597 KVC presents as a superbly well-preserved and very original example of a genuine Camel.
Most people these days regard these as vehicles that should be preserved in as original condition as possible, with all their accumulated battle scars etc on show, and that’s the case with 597
However, their exalted status doesn’t stop them rusting like a normal Discovery, but it does mean structural restoration is financially viable.
597’s condition has been greatly enhanced by having had one serious enthusiast owner since 2015, who knew what he had and was determined to preserve it. Hence in his ownership it’s had the usual Discovery 1 trouble spots of boot floor, rear crossmember, body mounts, full sills replaced, and the front inner wings repaired. All the work has been carefully done with a view to preserving the external patina of previous adventures, and over 30 years of use.
The only deviations from original CT spec that we’re aware of are the tyres are no longer the original skinny Michelin XZL 7x16 radials (ideal for cutting through Central American jungle, but less suited to UK road conditions) and the original winch steel rope has been replaced with a modern plasma version. We do have the original winch rope and fairlead though , which, along with some other original spares, comes with the car.
It comes with some rare Camel Trophy promotional material as well, including the official promotional brochure for the 1996 event, in which 597 is pictured
Mechanically it’s standard Camel factory-prepared heavy-duty spec, with the exception of EGR valve removal (although this may have been done at the factory) an uprated intercooler, and silicon hoses for the bulletproof 300TDi engine. Underbonnet it looks slightly different to a standard car, with the correct twin batteries and a revised air intake system
Further recent history highlights since 2015 include
New fuel pump 2015
New 100 amp alternator 2018
Rebuilt exchange Ashcroft Transmissions gearbox and new clutch 2018
New viscous fan coupling 2020
New drivers seat base diaphragm
Brakes rebuilt 2021
New cambelt kit 2023
Injection pump overhauled 2323
Plus regular oil changes etc.
Odometer reading 99000 miles so, for a 300TDi, just about run in now.
If sold in the UK, it will come with a fresh 12M MOT
Drives exactly as it should – I did a 70 miles motorway journey in it on purchase, and it ran superbly. Got lots of smiles and waves too.
Your chance to own a piece of Land Rover history
On our own website, you’ll find our usual 2 comprehensive videos – walkaround and driving, which form part of the description
based near Henley on Thames, viewing by prior appointment
Motodrome are always interested in purchasing eclectic and classic vehicles in good order (no ‘projects’ please – we have more than enough of those) - if you have something that fits the above criteria, that needs a new home, please get in touch.