Dakar 4x4
Encyclopedia
The Dakar 4x4 is a kit car
Kit car
A kit car, also known as a "component car", is an automobile that is available as a set of parts that a manufacturer sells and the buyer then either assembles into a car themselves, or retains a third party to do part or all of the work on their behalf...

 - the successor of the Rotrax - though unlike many is based on a Range Rover
Range Rover
The Range Rover is a large luxury four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle produced by British car maker Land Rover. The model, launched in 1970, is now in its third generation...

 chassis rather than the more usual sports car style. Originally developed by Barry Chantler of Dakar Cars http://www.dakar.co.uk in Dartford, Kent, they are now manufactured and built to order by Steve Bennett. There are around 120 known conversions in the UK, with more in the Netherlands and also the similar Bush Ranger
Bushranger (4WD)
The Bushranger is an Australian 4wd buggy made by John E Davis Motor Works derived from the British Dakar but is considerably different, although both use Range Rover parts. Options like roofs, front and rear butterfly doors and canvas doors and roofs were available as well. Little is known about...

 ("bushie") in Australia (see below).

As well as the performance improvements from the reduced bodyweight, the Dakar design greatly improves the approach and departure angles of the standard vehicle.

The kit has evolved slowly, with minor cosmetic changes, as well as now being able to be fitted to a Discovery
Land Rover Discovery
The Discovery was introduced into the United Kingdom in 1989. The company code-named the vehicle "Project Jay". The new model was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the more upmarket Range Rover, but with a lower price aimed at a larger market segment and intended to compete with Japanese...

 chassis. Enthusiasts have also fitted a number of engine upgrades, from a 5.7L small block Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...

 engine up to a 7.3L with nitrous
Nitrous
Nitrous oxide is a chemical compound used as an oxidizing agent to increase an internal combustion engine's power output by allowing more fuel to be burned than would normally be the case.-Nitrous and NOS:...

 oxide injection.

The Dakar found TV fame in the 1990s, with a factory-built car being chosen for the series Challenge Anneka
Challenge Anneka
Challenge Anneka is a British television programme, produced by the independent production company Mentorn for the BBC, which aired on Friday, later Saturday evenings on BBC One between 8 September 1989 and 15 October 1995. It was announced in 2006 that the series is returning, but this time on...

 as a replacement for the previously used VW-based beach buggy. The vehicle was finished in the series' trademark colours, a light blue body with yellow roll cage and weather gear.

Barry Chantler also designed a small-scale Dakar for children, the design of which reached at least the prototyping/bodyshell stage.

John E Davis Motor Works is an Australian company that make a car called the Bushranger
Bushranger (4WD)
The Bushranger is an Australian 4wd buggy made by John E Davis Motor Works derived from the British Dakar but is considerably different, although both use Range Rover parts. Options like roofs, front and rear butterfly doors and canvas doors and roofs were available as well. Little is known about...

that has been derived from the Dakar.
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