Land Rover S1 80 (ex-Navy)

History

This 1953 two-litre petrol-engined Land Rover spent the first eight years of its life in the Royal Navy, reputedly serving on board the aircraft carrier HMS Bulwark for much of this time. The Naval number RN918084V is still clearly stencilled under the bonnet and the spare wheel still carries its original War Department issue spare tyre. The canvas hood is also said to be original.

Released from service and registered for the road in February 1961, it has had just two civilian owners, the last of whom has owned it since 1999. Recently treated to a new fuel pump and said to drive well, it will have a fresh MOT before the sale. Caravan rear lights are currently fitted but the original rear light is included in the sale, as is a spare windscreen, a fitted tow bar and a Land Rover S1 workshop manual.

The vehicle took part in the Leyland Heritage Run from the Rover factory to Gaydon in 2001, cuttings of which event are in the history file. Due to have a fresh MOT before the sale, it comes with various old MOTs back to 1971 when the mileage was 38,064 and is now showing 39,996 miles on the clock which the owner believes may well be genuine.