Amsterdam, 25 June We're excited to announce that a 1989 Land Rover Defender used by the Lancia Team in the Safari Rally is coming to auction on Catawiki on July 5.
This extraordinary vehicle, adorned with original Lancia Martini Safari decals, is one of only two Defenders ever assigned to the Lancia Team. It played a pivotal role in the 1991 Safari Rally, famously rescuing a baby elephant from the mud—a story that has been immortalised in the book "Rally, avventure senza tempo" by Miki Biasion.
The Land Rover has been carefully restored to its original specifications, matching the engine number with Heritage, and is the only surviving example from its cohort. Commenting on the sale, Lancia Team driver Miki Biasion said, "Driving the Lancia Martini Safari through the rugged terrains of Africa was always an adventure, but the day we used it to rescue a baby elephant stands out as the most unforgettable. It wasn't just about the power and reliability of the car, but the realisation that sometimes our skills and tools can serve a purpose far greater than winning a race. I am so excited to watch how this auction unfolds, it would be a huge privilege to own this vehicle."
More images can be found here and recent works carried out include:
Built in November 1989, this Land Rover 110 “Defender” is a County version—a special series that features chequered fabric instead of the dark grey vinyl typically used in standard versions. The fabric replacement was intended to keep passengers cooler.
Four years later, it was sold to a private by Fiat, and later registered in 1995 to a company that used the vehicle as a staff car. Later, in 2001 it was sold to an entity supporting the Protezione Civile - Italian Civil Protection.
In 2022, the restoration process was initiated by the current owner, a classic cars dealership. Authenticity has been outstandingly preserved and the original keychain is still with the car.
Auction url: https://www.catawiki.com/en/a/85485859 [live on 4 July]
Estimated price: €155,000-€175,000
Auction dates: 5PM CEST, July 5 - 9PM CEST July 21
ENDS
About Catawiki
Catawiki is the leading online marketplace for special objects that fulfil people’s passions. Over 75,000 objects are offered in auction every week - each reviewed and selected by one of Catawiki’s hundreds of in-house experts specialised in Art, Design, Jewellery, Fashion, Classic Cars, Collectables and much more. Catawiki is headquartered in Amsterdam with over 750 employees across the world. Fulfil your passion on catawiki.com or download the app.
