At eurospare we are thrilled to be part of the Gazelles’ exciting road to the Dakar Classic 2026. Through their YouTube series, Project Purdey, drivers Helen and Marcella share their adventure of preparing their Land Rover 110, named Purdey, for the rally. It’s an inside look at what it takes to build this incredible vehicle, from gathering parts to sharing their experiences and the passion that fuels their journey.
Meet Helen and Marcella
Helen, an experienced off-road rally driver, has teamed up with her co-driver, Marcella. The two have a great story, one that started with a spontaneous decision—over a couple of glasses of wine—to dive into their first rally in Morocco back in 2022. Since then, rallying has become a life-changing adventure for them, filled with challenges and unforgettable moments, like racing across vast desert dunes.
In the first episode of Project Purdey, they look back at their past rallies, recalling Helen’s impressive driving and the tight spots they’ve navigated together. With the Dakar Classic 2026 in their sights, they’re aiming high—hoping to become the first British female team to take on this legendary race.
Purdey Comes to Life
The star of the project, their 1988 Land Rover 110, is affectionately named Purdey, after Dame Joanna Lumley’s character from The New Avengers. The vehicle itself is a work in progress, and in the series, we follow them as they gather the necessary parts in the UK before transporting everything to their workshop in France to begin the rebuild.Helen and Marcella chose this older Land Rover strategically, knowing that the Dakar Classic rules favor vehicles that are over 20 years old. Purdey, though rusty now, is a gem with a lot of potential. Soon, she’ll be restored to her former glory, using, among recycled Land Rovers parts, as well qualitative and reliable eurospare parts
Gathering the Pieces
In early September 2024, the team made some big strides. After realizing the original chassis was beyond repair due to rust, they secured a shiny new red one, custom-built by Marsland Chassis. They also purchased a newer engine that meets the Dakar Classic’s standards. With the pieces in place, they headed back to France, ready to start the real work of rebuilding Purdey.
As Marcella joked in the video, rallying isn’t just about driving—it’s also about logistics and getting your hands dirty! Episode one of Project Purdey gives you a real look at what it’s like to build a rally car, complete with unexpected challenges like getting a chassis off a trailer without a forklift!
What’s Next?
Now that Purdey and all her parts are safely in the workshop, Helen, Marcella, and the rest of the team are ready to dive into the build. The next phase of Project Purdey will document this process as they bring Purdey to life and prepare for the ultimate challenge at Dakar Classic 2026.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for the Gazelles, and we’re proud to be by their side on this journey to Dakar. Stay tuned for more updates as they gear up for the adventure of a lifetime!
Follow Purdey Project: https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectPurdey110
Watch the first episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz8Oo9uexeE&t=1099s