Description
1999 Land Rover Discovery 2 Td5, LHD – London to Cape Town Record Holder
A very special Discovery 2 with a unique and exceptionally well-documented history.
This is S971 VWA, the Discovery 2 used by Mac Mackenney, Steve Mackenney and Chris Rawlings to break the London to Cape Town overland record in October 2010, completing approximately 10, 000 miles in 11 days, 14 hours and 11 minutes.
The expedition was supported by patrons Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Sir Stirling Moss, and the vehicle's history is extensively documented through contemporary photographs, film and the motoring press.
S971VWA is one of the first Discovery 2 Land Rovers built in the Solihull factory and was supplied new to a British pilot residing in France. Prior to the record-breaking expedition, S971 VWA was comprehensively prepared for reliability, fuel economy and long-distance overland travel. The preparation, modifications and upgrades were undertaken by leading automotive specialists, with input from the British Army. Expedition equipment includes extended fuel capacity (integrated stainless steel side tank), full external roll cage, enhanced raised suspension, differential protection, larger intercooler, rebuilt and remapped Td5 engine and additional driving lamps.
In 2022/ 23, the Discovery underwent an extensive professional body-off restoration. The original chassis was stripped, repaired and refinished before the vehicle was reassembled. Mechanical components were inspected and overhauled as required. In addition, major electronic components, including the BCU and passenger-compartment fuse box/ IDM, were professionally inspected and rebuilt, with invoices.
Importantly, the restoration was approached as conservation exercise. The aim was to retain the originality, patina, character and significant expedition features of the record-breaking vehicle rather than turn it into a overly cosmetic restoration. The chassis and underbody is pristine and the outer panel work shows the authentic ex-overland patination - a historic classic Land Rover is only original once...
Its history has been extensively covered by Land Rover Monthly, both at the time of the original expedition in 2010/ 11 and again in 2026, when the magazine revisited S971 VWA and Mac following its restoration. There is also video footage, including material featuring this Land Rover with the overland journalist Andrew St Pierre White in which he discusses the event preparation with Mac Mackenney.
With its documented record-breaking history, provenance and retained originality, S971 VWA could readily form a key museum or collection piece representing British Land Rover and overland expedition history. Equally, it remains a fully usable and proven overland vehicle. During summer 2026 it completed an extensive tour of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and is ready for its next adventure.
The mileage is approximately 201, 000 miles, reflecting the extraordinary life the vehicle has led. It is an honest, characterful and thoroughly restored expedition Land Rover whose history has deliberately not been polished away.
It will be sold with a fresh 12-month MOT, with any advisory items attended to beforehand.
An extensive archive of restoration photographs, historical photographs, magazine coverage, invoices and other provenance accompanies the vehicle.
£19, 950
Inspection and test drives are very welcome, as are serious enquiries from museums, collectors or anyone interested in continuing the vehicle's overland story.
S971 VWA is the 1999 Discovery 2 Td5 that broke the London to Cape Town overland record in October 2010, completing the 10, 000-mile journey in 11 days, 14 hours and 11 minutes. The expedition was led by Mac Mackenney, with Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Sir Stirling Moss as patrons.
Its history is exceptionally well documented, including contemporary and recent Land Rover Monthly features, extensive photographs and video footage.
In 2023 it underwent a professional body-off restoration, retaining the original chassis, body, patina and significant expedition equipment. The chassis was stripped, repaired and refinished, with the vehicle comprehensively inspected and rebuilt. More recently, the BCU and IDM/ passenger fuse box have been professionally rebuilt. A substantial history file accompanies the car, including restoration records and invoices for significant recent maintenance and repairs.
Still very much a usable Discovery, it completed an extensive tour of the Scottish Highlands and Islands in summer 2026. A genuine piece of Land Rover overland history, conserved rather than over-restored, and equally suited to a collection, museum or another expedition.
