The 75th anniversary of the Landrover

IN April 1948 the Rover Car Company unveiled their new product at the Amsterdam Car Show — it was the “Land rover” — a vehicle that was meant to be a stop gap model for Rover, but went on to conquer the world.

The early model called the series model, were intended to be for farmers and foresters and explorers, a role they filled admirably.

The vehicles became renowned for use on overland expeditions many of them of considerable distances.

In 1971 Rover (by this time Land Rover was its main product) unveiled the revolutionary “Range Rover” a new, more comfortable off roader aimed at the landed gentry.

This model too, was a winner. In the 70’s the rather agricultural series Land Rover was rebranded as the LR “Defender”, another model that literally conquered the world.

In 2016 the last Defender (over 2 million had been produced) rolled off the production line amidst widespread consternation.

In 2020 a new “Defender” was launched, this model is still under scrutiny.

In 1989 Land Rover produced a new model the “Discovery”, as the Range Rover had, by then become a super luxury vehicle.

The Discovery has also been a great success, now in its fifth generation.

In 1997 Land Rover produced the “Freelander” a vehicle that launched the SUV revolution.

Land Rover has had several owners since the Rover company sold that division to BMW which in turn sold it to Ford whom then sold to TATA Motors the current owners.

Land Rover has had a strong presence in this country beginning in 1948 with vehicle number thirty nine being sold here privately by Puzey and Payne.

The army, police, the agriculture and tsetse departments as well as the roads department and the national parks all used Land Rovers extensively until the aging fleets were replaced gradually, mainly by vehicles from Japan.

The private sector especially the agricultural and tourism/safari sectors have long used Land Rovers in this country and there is still large numbers of all types present here.

Newer Range Rovers and Discoveries sell well and the new Defender is now available.

The Land Rover Enthusiasts of Zimbabwe are celebrating the seventy fifth anniversary of this iconic marquee, in conjunction with the annual 4X4 Jamboree on May 27 and 28 2023 at Donnybrook.

A large number of vehicles and people are expected including a number from South Africa and Zambia.