Built as the United Kingdom’s answer to the Jeep after seeing how efficient they were during World War II, Land Rover came onto the scene in 1948. To mark their 75-year anniversary, over 900 of the powerful vehicles are making their way to Cooma for a weekend of on and off-road celebrations over the Easter long weekend, 6-10 April.
“The first Land Rovers were brought out here in 1948 for the Snowy Hydro Scheme … They were the only vehicles that could get around in those early days to do the job. If they didn’t have them, they would have done it on foot or horse,” says Rogan Corbett, president of the Historic Automobile Club Cooma.
Since playing a vital role in the construction of the country’s largest hydro scheme, the Land Rover has become a crowd favourite. It has been a go-to for farmers and of- roading enthusiasts; some models have even been used by Australia’s defence forces and fire services.
While a Chrysler enthusiast himself, Mr Corbett also owns a Land Rover Discovery, and says there is a proud history of the vehicles in the Monaro region. As head of what is commonly called the Cooma Car Club, he sees all kinds of vehicles come through the rotating displays at their museum. They offer cars for weddings and funerals and owners of cars that are over 30 years old are welcome to join.
According to Mr Corbett, it is the social aspect of the club that attracts many members. This includes events like the upcoming Land Rover anniversary which the club is spearheading, though clubs from around the country are involved. Many of the models used by Australians over the years will be present over the weekend, from the first Series 1 model to the brand-new Range Rovers. Mr Corbett says there will models that have been restored, some recovered, and others kept as they were.
“There’s some very unusual Land Rover fire trucks – a Range Rover fire truck that they used to use during the Cold War, I believe. It is a six-wheel-drive Range Rover, it’s done as a fire truck, all painted in camouflage. I think the history of it is so that Russian spy planes couldn’t see where that vehicle was,” he says.
The world’s most recognisable Land Rover is making an appearance, The Oxford, which was one of the vehicles that participated in the Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition of 1955, from London to Singapore.
Special guests are making their way from Land Rover headquarters in the UK. These include photo- journalist Nick Dimbleby, Mike Bishop from Jaguar Land Rover Classic UK, and 1989 Camel Trophy Amazon Jungle Event for Team UK winner, Bob Ives.
The vehicles will start to roll into Cooma from Tuesday 4 April for registration, ahead of the official events starting on Friday.
The Cooma showground will be Land Rover central for the weekend, hosting swap meets, interviews and signings, as well as the ‘Show and Shine’ event. Profits from the shine event will be given to designated local charities.
Registered participants are invited to take part in navigation and off-road trails, tours to local sites, and attend a gala dinner. On Sunday, a cavalcade of around 600 vehicles will make its way down Cooma’s main street.
The Sydney Range Rover Club has planned the road trips, featuring a big luncheon at Nelligen, while the Victorian Land Rover Club is inviting people to test their off roading skills just outside of town on Friday and Saturday.
“There’re all sorts of activities – all the museums will be open, the coffee shops, hotels will all be open if people want to come and visit … Even our Birdsnest store is open for the ladies,” Mr Corbett says.
While organisers are hoping the weather stays sunny and clear, Mr Corbett knows the enthusiasts making their way to town will be keen to attend the activities no matter what comes their way.
“When you are a Land Rover person you get used to all sorts of weather,” he smiles.
The Land Rover 75th Anniversary Cooma, 6-10 April; landrover75thanniversary.com.au
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