Overland tenting in 4x4s with rooftop tents is all the trend, however the concept truly will be traced again a long time. Within the 1960s and ’70s, Dormobile pop-tops reworked Land Rovers (and different automobiles, principally vans) into tenting rigs. This 1971 Land Rover Dormobile is a primary instance, and it is on the market proper now at Hemmings.com.
This Land Rover is alleged to be one among 830 constructed by Martin Walter of Folkstone, England between 1961 and 1975. The guts of the construct is the Dormobile fiberglass pop-top. Hinged on the facet, it opens to supply elevated headroom and upper-level sleeping house for 2 cots. It additionally has opening skylights. When closed, it has a comparatively low profile for journey. Forward of the pop-top on this Land Rover is a big baggage rack for additional utility.
Inside, they’re two rows of seats, with the entrance bench seat divided 1/3-2/3. The two/Three passenger part will be reversed to face the rear seats, and a desk — which shops within the tailgate — will be put in between them. The seats also can all fold flat for added sleeping house. The Land Rover’s rear compartment homes a small closet, a sink basin, and a range.
This Land Rover was first offered within the UK and is right-hand drive. The unique engine has been changed with a gasoline-powered 4.3-liter GM V6, good for a claimed 195 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which the vendor notes is greater than double the output of the unique 2.25-liter 4. It is paired with a four-speed handbook gearbox with a Fairey overdrive and, in fact, four-wheel drive.
Different updates embrace new shocks and is derived, new tires, a brand new grille, and a front-bumper-mounted Warn winch. Lastly, this Dormobile has been resprayed within the new-for-1971 Land Rover shade of Bahama Gold.
Positioned in Mesa, Arizona, this Land Rover is on the market at an asking worth of $72,500. You would possibly pay that a lot for a contemporary SUV with a rooftop tent, however that might be simply following the group. This classic rig stands aside from the herd.
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