Marilyn Monroe & Land Rover

After the Second World War, British agriculture desperately needed modern agricultural machinery. The solution came from an engineer in Solihull. In 1948, he created a replacement for Willys Jeeps, a car that numerous farmers had bought from the military surplus stores. He named his invention: Land Rover.

It became a big hit. Whether it’s immediate success lies in it being tax-free, as it was seen as a very useful vehicle able to cope with challenges in the fields, one can only guess. But it was produced in tens of thousands. And not just for agricultural purposes. It quickly became a very popular car for riding around the city. In addition, it was a great export success, something that hit a dry spot in the economical struggles of the after-war years. In the US, it was marketed under the slogan: 'Go Anywhere. Do Anything'.

Besides, it certainly did not weaken the American sales figures that the Hollywood star above them all – Marilyn Monroe – adopted the small English four-wheel drive as the perfect vehicle for a drive around remote beaches. Like here in 1957, where she is parked amongst dunes on Amagansett Beach at the far end of Long Island outside New York.

The Land Rover could hardly have gotten better commercial! And many will probably agree that the car from 1957 with Marilyn Monroe at the wheel easily competes with an updated version of the Range Rover from Overfinch.

The text is translated by Pernille Kaufmann. See more here