50 | AUGUST 2019 4x4
history to them are worth a small fortune – and
the rare and special ones, while they might not
command quite the same money as a Picasso,
now haZe a firmly established foothold on the
classic car beanstalk.
These include an increasing number of the
vehicles that left Solihull destined for the British
Army. Another irony here is that these 0and
Rovers are often the most sought-after for
their off-road prowess ̄ and there’s no better
example than the ;olf.
At this point, let’s introduce ;ayne ;ood. ,e
left the forces in 2010, having previously served
for 20 years in the Territorial Army. Military
0and RoZers haZe always enNoyed their own
following, often from ex-servicemen and women
to whom they’re a reminder of happy times –
and sure enough, ;ayne remembers them being
commonplace around the barracks.
The Wolf Wayne owns is an ex-Cyprus XD
;olf 0 +7, also known as a TU0. This stands for
³Truck Utility 0ight’ ̄ a ³TUM’ designation says
the Zehicle is a 110, with the ³0ight’ exchanged
for ³Medium’.
By no means was this his first foray into
0and RoZer ownership. But it was certainly a
Zery special one.
³Although I’Ze had 0and RoZers for years,’ says
;ayne, ³before I bought this I had been without
one for a while and found myself wanting to get
another. I was looking around and had narrowed
it down to a short-wheelbase (efender, but
most of the ones I was looking at in my price
range were basket cases.
‘There were some ex-military ones around,
though, so I started to look at them as an
option. I spotted an adZert for a ;olf 0 and
went to haZe a look. It was low on mileage and
had spent its entire working life in Cyprus, so
it was going to be about as good as you could
get rust-wise.’
*ollowing a brief test driZe on which ;ayne
effectiZely confirmed to himself that he’d be
leaZing with the ;olf, the only obstacle was
the asking price. This was a little more than he
wanted to pay ̄ but the Zehicle’s condition and
exclusiZity were such that ;ayne figured it was
worth the inZestment.Only a limited number of 0and RoZers were
built under the ;olf programme. They had a raft
of enhancements over the civilian equivalents,
which has helped them earn the reputation
among many enthusiasts of being the best 0and
RoZers eZer made.
;ayne certainly belieZes so. ³The chassis is
stronger and uses thicker steel, the axles were
upgraded and use a 24-spline shaft, plus there’s
other areas that haZe been significantly beefed
up like the wheels and suspension,’ he explains.
³,aZing a 00Tdi engine is a bonus. =es, there are
limitations, like a Td unit is more tuneable ̄ but
I like it.
³My ;olf is by far the most reliable 0and
RoZer I’Ze eZer owned, too,’ he adds. ³Other than
having to change the power steering pump and
renewing the exhaust with a stainless steel one,
the rest has Nust been wear parts like the brakes
and tyres.’
Wayne’s Wolf has also received a respray,
and its owner was adamant about keeping the
original pattern. Not that ;ayne considers
himself to be an owner in the traditional sense.