The Iconic & Classic Sales at Silverstone Festival 22nd-24th August 2025

160 The Iconic Sale at Silverstone Festival 2025 Collectors’ Cars Since its inception in 1985, Bowler Motors has developed a worldwide reputation in the arena of design and construction of Land Rover-based off-road vehicles. Led by the company’s inspirational founder, Drew Bowler until his untimely death in 2016, the company grew from a nascent workforce of just eight to the present group of 35 highly skilled engineers. Initially focussing on the preparation of cars for British off-road events, the company’s ambitions expanded rapidly to encompass participation in events including the Dakar Rally, Morocco Desert Challenge and Spanish Baja and for the past two decades their cars have formed the backbone of many Rally Raid events across the globe. In a significant departure from their previous practice of using production-based Land Rover chassis in the construction their vehicles, 2015 saw the introduction of Bowler’s own Cross Sector Platform (CSP) chassis. The two-seater Bulldog was originally developed as a prototype and test vehicle for the CSP, however its impressive performance on road and winning credentials in rally racing, coupled with its style, stability and rigour has earned it international appeal from both race and road car buyers. Dating from 2017, Bulldog NR1 #009 is accompanied by its original specification which runs to several pages and is too long to list here, but a copy is in the car’s History File and can be sent to interested parties. Key points can be viewed on our website. At the time, the invoice price was listed as £90,000 plus VAT and a number of further options were selected including the remarkable purple/mauve paint finish which was £985. To this, our vendor chose to add the Desert Pack at a cost of £8,500-plus and again full details of this are available. So far, so good but it doesn’t end there. It would appear that the 400bhp-plus generated by the JLR 3-litre ‘Mono Turbo’ TDV6 engine was simply not enough, so in February 2019 our vendor approached Bowler and explored the possibility of finding a bit more power. They suggested the installation of a suitably tweaked 5-litre Range Rover V8 and e-diff, terms were agreed and in early May 2019 they prepared and installed a 5-litre Range Rover SVR AJ133 V8 which, we understand, generates in excess of 600bhp. With the supercharger and manifolds, drive belts, V8 air boxes, exhaust kit, new front loom, polished inlet and 124 hours labour, the account amounted to £ 28,771 + VAT. The E-Diff was fitted at the same time and with the Range Rover Sport steering wheel with paddles an additional £4,000 was added to the bill. There are a further two invoices in the file, one from 5th September 2022 for £3,145 (including a recon gearbox) and £1,353 on 6th March 2024 (oil, fluids etc.). The current indicated mileage is 13,300 and the MOT is valid until 26th March 2026. This is a remarkable piece of kit - ballistic performance, head-turning looks, desert- crossing ability, take it to Waitrose docility and all in a fabulous shade of sunset purple. Obviously specialised, however we imagine that whoever buys this will know exactly what they want to do with it. Very sensibly estimated considering what it would cost to replicate. Please note the hammer price and buyer’s premium is subject to VAT at the prevailing rate. Distinctively presented two-seat Bulldog fast-response vehicle optioned with the Desert Pack and upgraded with a 600bph-plus, AJ133 5-litre supercharged V8 and an E-diff. Registration: FJ67 JPY Chassis No.: BOW00109175520009 Estimate: £50,000 - £70,000 Specialist: Rob Hubbard Telephone No: 07775 511825 Lot 465 2017 Bowler Bulldog NR1 5-Litre Supercharged V8 - 13,300 Miles † More Details Lot 465 Bid On Lot 465