Land Rover S1 88 Diesel

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

One of the most influential vehicle designs of all time, the go-anywhere Land Rover was to spawn a whole raft of imitators and is still selling strongly some 66 years since it was launched, although it has become far more complex and luxurious as time has rolled by.

However the rugged simplicity of the first Series One models, produced from 1948 to 1957, has ensured that these models are now most prized by collectors. Initially only available with an 80-inch wheelbase and a 50bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine, it was later available with a 2-litre petrol engine and an 86-inch wheelbase or 107-inch for the pickup and Station Wagon versions.

From 1957 a 2-litre diesel engine option was offered which entailed extending the wheelbase by 2-inches to 88-inches in order to accommodate the new engine. Only in production for one year, the diesel is one of the rarest of the S1 variants.

First registered on 14th December 1957, this diesel S1 must be among the last ones made and is said by the vendor to be in outstandingly original condition throughout with no signs of any previous significant repairs or paintwork. The 41,300 miles on the clock is said to be totally genuine and the vehicle is said to drive as well as you would expect from such a low mileage, the engine, suspension, steering and brakes all still feeling tight and fresh.

It retains many period features such as twin 6 volt batteries, Smith’s interior heater, elephant hide upholstery, original jack and starting handle, the fitment of indicators and seatbelts being the only deviations from standard for obvious safety reasons.

Pleasingly it also still retains its original (and transferable) Monmouthshire registration number which has recently been valued at £2,500 although it would be a shame to part the two. Supplied with the original buff log book as well as later V5 and V5C documents, it also comes with period service records and other documentation plus a current tax disc. Wonderfully patinated and with everything working as it should, this rare survivor is sure to be of interest to any early Land Rover collector.