This is a story about the restoration and adventure of the first-ever Land Rover, known as "Dewey." The Land Rover was the first production vehicle of its kind, built in 1948 and lost for decades. Eventually, it was found and meticulously restored. Dewey then embarked on a challenging journey across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, showcasing its enduring ruggedness and the spirit of adventure. The restoration and the journey symbolize the legacy of Land Rovers and their ability to overcome the toughest terrains.
1. The speaker discusses the history of the Land Rover, with the first production Land Rover, referred to as "Jue 477" or "Dewey", being rolled off the production line 75 years ago.
2. Dewey was originally intended to be given to the king but was eventually sent to a professor at Newcastle University.
3. In the early 70s, it was sold to a farmer in the northeast of England for a small sum of money.
4. The original Land Rover became a myth and was thought to have vanished from the face of the Earth.
5. After several months, the speaker finally got to see a vehicle that had been removed to the security of a tumbledown Stone Barn.
6. The family of the farmer decided to conduct a sealed bid auction for Dewey, a one-shot chance to buy the first Land Rover ever produced.
7. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, an entrepreneur, industrialist, and adventurer, won the auction and became the new owner of Dewey.
8. Over a period of two years, Dewey was restored to its original condition, with the ethos of the restoration being to save anything that could be saved.
9. After the restoration, Dewey was taken on a big adventure across the Gobi desert in Mongolia towards China, marking the first time a vintage vehicle had taken such a trip.
10. Dewey performed impeccably throughout the trip, even in the harshest of environments, demonstrating its durability and resilience.
11. The journey epitomized Jim's approach to business and life, showcasing the Ineos approach to doing things differently but successfully.