The Camel Trophy Legend: Inside Almost Real's Land Rover Defender Collection

Some diecast pieces are collectible because of what they are. Others are collectible because of the story they carry. Almost Real's Camel Trophy Land Rover pair falls firmly into the second category, and it's become one of the standout sellers in our Almost Real range since launch.

What Was the Camel Trophy?

From 1980 to 2000, the Camel Trophy was one of the toughest off-road endurance events in the world. Teams of amateur drivers took specially prepared vehicles through some of the planet's most punishing terrain — jungle, swamp, mountain, and river crossings — over events that could last weeks. Land Rover became the official vehicle supplier for the event from 1981 through 1997, and the partnership produced some of the most iconic expedition vehicle liveries ever put on a production 4x4: sand-beige paint, snorkels, roof racks stacked with kit, and the unmistakable Camel Trophy branding.

Borneo 1985: The Rally That Defined an Era

The 1985 edition of the Camel Trophy took place in Borneo, and it's remembered as one of the event's most brutal outings. Dense rainforest, near-constant rain, and route conditions that pushed both vehicles and crews to their limits made it a defining moment in the event's history. It's this specific edition that Almost Real chose to replicate in 1:64 scale, which tells you something about how seriously the brand takes accuracy over convenience — they didn't pick a generic Camel Trophy livery, they picked a specific, well-documented expedition.

Almost Real's 1:64 Tribute

The collection consists of two complementary models:

• The Land Rover 90 Camel Trophy Borneo 1985, representing the shorter-wheelbase competition vehicle
• The Land Rover 110 Camel Trophy Support Unit Borneo 1985, representing the longer-wheelbase support vehicle that kept the convoy running

Both arrive in Almost Real's signature AR Box packaging, with the sand-beige livery, period-correct roof rack detailing, and expedition branding reproduced at 1:64 scale.

Why Collectors Buy the Pair

In the real Camel Trophy convoys, the 90 and the 110 support unit worked as a team — one built for maneuverability, the other for hauling recovery gear and supplies. Displaying them together recreates that relationship on your shelf, which is exactly why we've seen collectors buy both rather than just one. If you're building out a Land Rover or expedition-vehicle themed section of your collection, this is the pair to start with.

Adding the Camel Trophy Legacy to Your Collection

Both models are part of our exclusive Almost Real range, sourced directly so you get guaranteed authenticity and intact AR Box packaging. Stock on Camel Trophy pieces moves quickly given the collector interest, so if you're building a Land Rover collection, it's worth checking availability sooner rather than later. Browse the rest of the range in our Almost Real collection, and take a look at our broader feature on why Almost Real has become one of our top-performing brands if you're new to the marque.