DESCRIPTION

Land Rover 2 CAR SET FIRST OVERLAND

The universities of Oxford and Cambridge came together for this expedition and they have recreated this elaborately decorated 2-piece set, comprising two Land Rover 88' Hard Top models.

The Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition was organised by Land Rover as part of their publicity campaign promoting the launch of their new Land Rover Series 1 Station Wagon in 1956.

Five of the six participating Oxbridge students had just finished their degrees, each charged with a specific role on the expedition. They set off from London on 1st September 1955 and flew to France where they continued their expedition in the two Land Rovers one pale blue (Cambridge) and the second dark blue (Oxford). They arrived in Singapore on 6th March 1956, the journey having taken six months and six days over 18,000 miles.

A book on their exploits - First Overland from London to Singapore was written in 1957 following the expedition by Tim Slessor, one of the Cambridge participants.

Upon their return, the two Land Rovers which had been officially named Oxford and Cambridge, went their separate ways. Cambridge was sold to the Land Rover Factory in Solihull but was sadly lost on a later expedition when it ran off the road in the Middle East. However, Oxford still survives under the ownership of Adam Bennett who restored it to its original livery, even down to the registration plate. It passed its MOT first time around and continues as an active roadworthy motor!