Is this £50,000 Land Rover with 16 tank track wheels the ultimate off-roader?
This classic Land Rover Series II was given a wild makeover in the 1950s - and it's completely road legal, too
IS this the ultimate off-roader? With 16 wheels driven by tank tracks it's hard to argue with this Land Rover's abilities.
And for just £50,000 you could get behind the wheel of this monster of British motoring.
Each track is 12-inches wide and has 40 steel shoes which drive four wheels on skinny tyres.
The modifications mean it now sits at more than eight-feet high, with the greater ground clearance enabling it to wade rivers and travel through swampy marshes with easy.
But it came a price for the Land Rover's on-road performance - with the motor having a far bumpier ride and a top speed of around 35mph.
The Land Rover Series II 109 was given a 'Cuthbertson conversion' shortly after it was built in 1958 - and it is entirely road legal.
James A Cuthbertson Ltd was an early manufacturer of rubber tracks - dating back to World War II - and it transformed Land Rovers to work on difficult terrain.
Cuthbertson Land Rovers were used by the British Forestry Commission for negotiating swampy land and it is also thought the British Army drove them through booby-trapped parts of the world.
Around 15 were built and this model is believed to be the only running one in the UK.
The full history of this model is unknown but it has spent time in Norway and Germany before returning to the UK last year.
It was restored in 2000 and is exempt from road tax and MOT.
A spokesman for Bonhams auction house said: "The Cuthbertson Land Rover is one of the most unique and eye-catching examples available.
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"It is one of very few survivors and is surely the ultimate off-road vehicle available.
"It's believed to be the only version in the UK, and would make a brilliant addition to any collection of weird and wonderful vehicles."
"The quality of finish being stunning both inside and out. '178 UYU' is described by the vendor as in full working order and 'on the button'.
"Fitted with power steering, it is said to be extremely capable off road, particularly on grassland."
Bonhams will be selling the Cuthbertson Land Rover at its Goodwood Revival sale on September 9, with the off-roader offered with a £50,000 to £60,000 guide price.
Early in 2017, Nissan introduced their own version of the tracked Land Rover, the with their concept car the Rouge Trail Warrior.
Using shell of a Nissan X-Trail, the vehicle was fitted with heavy-duty tracks in favour of wheels, and a host of military-style features.
While still in the concept stage, could tracks be the new trend over heavy duty wheels for tough off-roaders?
