I purchased this original 1978 bronze green 101 Forward Control with 500 miles (1 of only 7 in their original livery colors) last December with the intent of importing it to Texas. Space being somewhat of an issue in West University, I stored the vehicle with a friend in Birmingham, UK.

There was a "want" add in the Six Stud (no its not a gay magazine) which is the official 101 Club Magazine, requesting anyone with a unique vehicle to contact an individual (I did not know at the time it was LR) who represented an organization who was establishing a Classic LR driving museum. One thing lead to another and I was put in contact with the Land Rover Driving Experience at Solihull.

Roger Crathorne, who has been at LR for many years, was one of the original engineers on the 101 project in the late 60's early 70's. He came to view to view the vehicle along with his associate Zoe Amarilli and bought it on the spot.

In the time period before I received payment I arranged with Zoe and LR PR department to do a story on the vehicle being returned to LR for their new Home of the Legend, along with Mark Saville a Staff Writer at Land Rover Owner magazine; he was also interested in doing an article.

So, November 21 was decided upon as the delivery date. LR send a flat bed lorry (UK term for truck) over to pick the vehicle up Friday morning for it to be delivered to the main Lode Lane gate in Solihull where I was to meet Judith Maiden LR PR person, Mark Saville and personnel from the Land Rover Experience at 1030am, including Roger Crathorne and Zoe Amarilli.

After several pictures were taken, I drove the 101 through the factory complex with much fan fare from the LR employees to the Land Rover Experience where the official hand over took place. More pictures.

Judith wanted to do an article on the vehicle for their own in house newspaper along with pictures, so I was asked to drive the vehicle on their Experience track, once completed I bid farewell to the Bronze Beast. The planned launch for the new "Drive a Legend Museum" is set for March 04.

Hugh Brazier

Back to the Photos Page