Land Rover Series I

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The Land Rover was introduced by Rover just after the war as a stop gap model. The legend that it has become shows just how good the initial concept was, the number of early cars still working today proving the quality and effectiveness of the original design.

Launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948, the first production Land Rovers used a 1600cc 50bhp engine mated to a 4-speed Rover P3 gearbox with a 2-speed transfer box added to double the available number of ratios. Later models gained an extra 6” in the chassis making them even more practical, the two-litre engine available from 1954 making the all-purpose vehicle an even more effective machine.

This lovely, original 1955 example has had just two owners from new. Its first, a World War Two veteran of the Desert campaign, kept it for 48 years. Well cared for during this time, it has had a few repairs to the footwell and an engine rebuild in the ‘70s. Other than that it has remained remarkably original, even down to the paint and the semaphore indicators (which are currently not fitted to the vehicle) and comes with a file of old MOTs and bills. It is taxed until September 2015 and MOT exempt, the vendor having purchased a brand new tilt from Exmoor Trim which has never been fitted but is included.

Used by the vendor over the last 11 years for light summer duties, he describes it as a lovely, unmolested, sweet running 59-year old Land Rover. With so many full restorations taking place these days, it is becoming increasingly rare to find original examples as ‘shabby chic’ as this one.