The Oban Mountain Rescue Team’s old Land Rover is expected to fetch thousands of pounds in a bidding war after it was put up for auction.
The team is selling its former trusty vehicle as it prepares to take delivery of a new Land Rover Defender in the spring.
The 1999-registered motor has been placed on Ebay and has already attracted 12 bids from five bidders, with the top currently sitting at £2,650.
Last night, the team said it would be perfect for Landrover enthusiasts who want to take on the “frontline” motor.
The chassis of the five-seater has corroded and needs replaced, but it is “otherwise in working order”.
The deadline for final bids is January 12.
Ross Lilley of Oban Mountain Rescue Team said: “We have had it for quite some time, we have used it a fair bit and its coming towards the end of its operation life.
“There are lots of Land Rover fanatics out there who could maybe fix the issues.
“We have put an order in for a new one to replace it, another one from the Defender line, before they stop making them. We still think it is the best model for mountain rescue.
“It was one of our front line vehicles for about 10 years or so. It needs a fairly reasonable overhaul to keep it on the road and rather than doing that we decided that because they are stopping making Defenders, we would get a new one.”
The new Defender will cost in the region of £35,000, including having it converted to an ambulance so that it can accommodate the team’s stretcher.
It is being funded thanks to a donation from the Order of St John and the team’s own fundraising efforts.
The Oban Mountain Rescue Team operates a van to transport members and equipment, and also two Land Rovers which can be used to travel in front of the van and reach places it cannot.
The new Land Rover will be based at Taynuilt, which is the nearest outpost to the two main mountains covered by the team, Cruachan and Bridge of Orchy.