Recognition for the JUE 477 project at The National Land Rover Awards

The Land Rover Legends event, which took place at a sun-soaked Thruxton Race Circuit over the weekend of 12-13 June, played host to the National Land Rover Awards. 

Held for the third time since its 2018 inception (2020 was cancelled due to Covid), this year’s edition featured an expanded list of categories. Taking the inaugural trophy for Best Publication with a Land Rover Theme was the Porter Press International title JUE 477 by Martin Port. This is the second time that the book has been recognised after it was named Octane magazine’s Book of the Month (December 2020 issue).

As the title suggests, JUE 477: The Remarkable History & Restoration of the World's First Production Land-Rover tells the fascinating story of Land Rover chassis 860001. Originally destined for Royal service, the vehicle instead spent the majority of its life working on farms and mining sites in Northumberland. Hidden away in a stone-built barn for 19 years, it was rescued in 2017 and painstakingly and sympathetically restored over the ensuing 18 months. Researched, written, designed and photographed by Martin Port, JUE 477 superbly fills what was a significant gap in Land-Rover’s literary legacy.

In a double triumph for the project, Julian Shoolheifer, the man responsible for the vehicle’s extensive, yet remarkably sensitive restoration, was also recognised. For his ‘significant contribution to the preservation of Land Rover history and heritage’, Julian received the Brian Bashall Memorial Award. 

This is the third accolade for Shoolheifer after JUE 477 was voted Best Restoration at the 2020 Royal Automobile Club’s Historic Awards, and Best 1940s Vehicle at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace in London.

Congratulations Martin and Julian.

Left to right: Jake Shoolheifer; Best Publication winner Martin Port, Brian Bashall Memorial Award winner Julian Shoolheifer and assistant restorer Richard Spikins at the recent Land Rover Legends event at Thruxton. Photograph by Craig Pusey