Project "Jay" of the mid-1980s ultimately led to the Discovery, which was intended to lie between the more agricultural Defender and the upmarket Range Rover. Launched at Frankfurt in 1989, the Discovery took the market by storm and went on sale in the UK a few months later. Initially only a three-door, within a year or so a five-door version followed.

This is one of the "Jay" prototypes built in May 1988 but registered with a number that pre-dates this to help disguise the car during testing. In late 1988 it was sent to Canada for cold climate trials, and after mileage tests it was used as a mule for the Camel Trophy rigging and training, hence the full roll cage and winch.

The body damage was caused through many hours of off-road driver training at Eastnor Castle. At one point the vehicle was left submerged for three days in a water hole to test ingress into mechanical components!

On loan to Dunsfold Collection