New book launched to celebrate Land Rover's 60th anniversary year
Source: Land Rover
Apr 27, 2008 - 3:32:38 PM
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As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Land Rover today launches 'Born in
Lode Lane' – a book written by one of Britain's best known motoring journalists,
Gavin Green – which brings together 'behind-the-scenes' recollections of Land
Rover's history and anecdotes from long-serving employee, Roger
Crathorne.
Roger Crathorne, a Land Rover employee of over 45 years was
born in April 1947 in Solihull Hospital, one mile away from what was to become
Land Rover's historic manufacturing plant on Lode Lane – the same month that the
Wilks Brothers conceived the first ever Land Rover vehicle. Having served as an
engineer for 15 years, he is now widely regarded as one of the best off-road
Land Rover drivers and instructors and is expert in demonstrating the vehicles'
all-terrain capabilities.
He has trained Royalty, was integrally
involved in the development of the original Range Rover, turned off-road driving
into a science and travelled all four corners of the globe – from the muddy
tracks of Eastnor Castle, to central American volcanoes and the Sahara sand
hills. Some of his amazing stories have been brought to life in 'Born in Lode
Lane'.
"Although never in senior management, Roger is known to many –
Royalty, senior military officers, explorers, customers, journalists and myself
– as 'Mr Land Rover'. It therefore seemed fitting that his memories of life with
Land Rover be documented to mark the Company’s anniversary year," said Phil
Popham, managing director, Land Rover.
The book is interspersed with
interviews undertaken by Roger with the likes of Phil Popham, Spen King, the
Father of the Range Rover, and renowned explorer and adventurer, Sir Ranulph
Fiennes – all of which provide a unique insight into Land Rover's past 60 years
and into its future.
'Born in Lode Lane' is available to buy from
Monday, April 28 from Land Rover Gear – www.landrovergearshop.com – priced at
£12.50. Proceeds will go to the British Red Cross.
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