While the Original Land-Rover of 1948 might not have been the first go-anywhere vehicle, it certainly captured the imagination of farmers, explorers and pioneering types. Subsequent off-roaders have gone on to become successes in their own right – most notably Toyota’s Land Cruiser, which built on the Solihull car’s off-road ability but added Japanese reliability. Then came the luxury SUVs, combining off-road performance with on-road comfort and handling. But it’s the singularity of purpose of the earlier cars that makes them great classics today.

£50,000
Lamborghini LM002
Conceived with the military market in mind, the LM002 takes off-roading to new heights. And depths: on soft ground its three-tonne kerbweight is a hindrance. But it’s unstoppable on the road, thanks to V12 power, and prodigiously expensive to fill-up, thanks to a 290-litre fuel tank. Considering its V12 engine, and that only 301 were built, it’s a bit of a bargain.



£15,000
Jeep Wagoneer
Many Brits assume that the Range Rover was the first upmarket SUV, but the Jeep Wagoneer beat Solihull’s finest by seven years. Although imported into the UK in tiny volumes, a good number have subsequently found their way in. The Wagoneer is easy to drive, stylish in a Wurlitzer way, and has excellent parts back-up – but make sure a fit body isn’t hiding an abused chassis.

£10,000
Land-Rover Series 1
The earliest Land-Rovers have a simplicity that transcends fashion, and there’s an entire industry of specialist support. Our guide price of £10,000 would buy you the very best 1950s Series 1, but maybe not a top-end 1948-49 example, the so-called ‘lights behind grille’ model (above). Later S1s – 1953-58 – have longer wheelbases, and so make better all-round load-luggers.

£7500
Toyota Land Cruiser
Although the Land Cruiser failed to find sales success in the UK and Europe until the 1980s and beyond, it’s the 40-Series (1960-84) cars that are the most desirable, attracting a cult following – probably on the coat tails of the J-Tin (Japanese classic car) movement. Many have been imported into the UK from dry climates, but rust is still a major killer. Very cool, reliable, and not yet expensive.