Range Rover celebrates 50 years at Goodwood

The 50 Range Rovers took part in a  complex dynamic ‘50’ formation. Photos: Range Rover

Range Rover has used the Goodwood Speedweek to highlight five decades and created a special outline of the vehicles at the event.

An eclectic mix of Range Rovers from the last-half century formed the parade to commemorate the special anniversary, from original classics to a modified ambulance and a 6x6 fire engine.  

The parade was led around the famous circuit by two iconic vehicles: The first, a 1969 drivable chassis, originally developed to allow engineers to monitor suspension and powertrain over rough terrain, ensuring the Range Rover was one of the most capable vehicles of its time.  The second was a brand-new limited edition ‘Range Rover Fifty’, number 1 of 1970, produced specifically to mark this year’s celebrations.

A 1969 drivable chassis lead the parade of 50 Range Rovers on the race course.

All four generations of Range Rover featured in the convoy and included the Beaver Bullet, which broke 27 speed records in 1985, a Trans-American Expedition example which crossed the all-but-impassable Darien Gap in 1971 and a 2004 example used by Greater Manchester police. 

The same 50 Range Rovers also took part in a  complex dynamic ‘50’ formation, creating a spectacular moving aerial image, co-ordinated by professional drivers, and captured with a drone. All 50 vehicles and drivers had to undergo training during the day to precisely navigate and position each vehicle to achieve the one-off visual.

A variety of Range Rovers over five decades featured, including a six-wheeler.

Rawdon Glover, Jaguar Land Rover UK Managing Director said ‘’As we continue to celebrate Range Rover’s 50th Anniversary throughout 2020, it has been a pleasure to remind ourselves not only of some of the extraordinary forms that the Range Rover has taken over the years, but also the people and stories behind them.”

The Friday-thru-Sunday Speedweek is billed as a “one-time only'' event that replaces the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Revival.