The vendor (who knows his classic cars, has a collection of his own and only ever buys the best example of any model) was alerted to this car when it was living a very different life or, perhaps we should say, different vita .

It was the resident of an Italian barn and was very much in ‘barn find’ condition.

It had been delivered new to F.G.

Searle & Company, of Sunbury on Thames (then trading as Carawagon International) who were in the business of converting Land Rovers and other vehicles for safari use, or work as ambulances, outside broadcast units, and a myriad other specialist uses and incarnations.

The first owner asked Carawagon International to convert it into some sort of bespoke camper van for use on particularly arduous overland expeditions, presumably in the sort of unspeakable places where the local wildlife routinely wants to sting you, poison you, tear your face off or eat you.

The vendor went out to look the car, decided it was just what he was after, and had it sh...