• Recently Recommissioned • Honest patina/bodywork • Original canvas
The Background
The Land Rover Series I was produced by The Rover Company in 1948 and continued under production of British Leyland. Prior to the war Rover were producing high-end luxury cars, but in a bid to be relevant in what was a very difficult time it was decided a more agricultural vehicle was needed as the country had many years of rebuilding ahead of it.
It was deliberately a very simple, rugged, utilitarian design that was different to nearly all other trucks and 4WD vehicles of the time. Mass produced and offering a hard top version, it was mounted on a sturdy box frame and, due to the post war steel shortage, a lot of aluminium was used in its production. This ensured a certain amount of longevity due to its rust resistant properties.
The Land Rover was actually designed to only be in production for two or three years to gain some cash flow for Rover and allow the export of orders overseas so it could restart its up-market car production.
However, once car production restarted, it was greatly outsold by the off-road Land Rover, which developed into its own brand and remains successful today.
First registered in 1956, the Series 1 before you was purchased as a lockdown project by the current owner. It was a barn find in the sense that it had been laid up for a number of years in dry storage. And it was actually dry storage, not just a lean-to, so the car is in remarkable condition.
The current owner purchased the vehicle and set about recommissioning it. Bar a few items that have been re-painted, the bodywork remains the same. Instead of trying to recreate a showroom-fresh look, the owner has focused on any perished mechanical items and has spent time making sure the vehicle once again operates as intended.
The vehicle itself has documentation to say that from new it was licensed to Somerset County Council as part of the Fire Service. There is evidence of this on the bodywork with red paint, presumably its original coat, starting to show through in places.
Now that the vehicle is roadworthy once again, the time has come to move the project on to someone who will use it.
The car comes with a few original documents such as the original registration book and the V5.
There is also a stack of receipts, detailing all the parts the owner has recently fitted to recommission the vehicle, the more significant of which are included in this listing.
The interior, as with most Series 1 Land Rovers is sparse. In fairness that’s how it was designed - as a utilitarian vehicle. There is common wear in the rear with one minor hole (pictured) half way down the passenger side rear inner arch/bench.
In the front, the seats have been stripped, the frames refurbished and the seat pads recovered in fresh green Chesterfield vinyl. The dash has also received a fresh lick of paint. The horn and dipped beam switches work, which can be common failure point. And the only thing that doesn’t seem to operate in the entire cabin is the Amp meter.
Under the driver's seat, the fuel tank and sender have been replaced with brand new units. The front windscreen also has the small brackets/arms to fasten the window to the bonnet should you wish to drive with the front windscreen folded flat. The door seals had perished in storage, and so have been replaced.
The body of this Land Rover wears its history well. The paint is weathered and displays a great level of patina, even showing some of its earlier colours underneath as mentioned above. As the body panels are aluminium, they are free from rot. Of course, they have a few dings and dents here and there, but they are solid.
The wheels have been media-blasted and freshly powdercoated, and are now shod in brand new tyres. The spare is currently mounted on the bonnet, but does not have a new tyre.
The canvas appears to be original and is in fantastic shape apart from one small hole, about the size of a golf ball, on the rear upper section. The rear tow bar/bumper iron has been repainted. Underneath the vehicle there is surface corrosion on most of the running gear, however, it is in a serviceable and solid condition.
We're assured by the owner that the car runs and drives without issue. They note particularly that the transmission and transfer box are without fault, which is pleasing to see. Although the engine was in great used condition, it has had the head gasket replaced as part of the refresh.
As part of the recommissioning work the following mechanical items have been replaced or fixed:
- Coil
- Battery
- Condenser
- Spark Plugs
- Regulator
- Dynamo has been rebuilt
- Horn button and dip switch fixed - Wiper motor stripped and rebuilt
- Indicator switch fixed
- Heater control knob fixed
- New shock absorbers
- New windscreen washer motor
- The carburettor has been rebuilt
- The brake shoes, master cylinder and some of the associated pipework has also been replaced
The Series 1 Land Rover is iconic for a reason. Its simple, rugged, go-anywhere design has loyally served the armed forces, farmers and many other professions for decades. In fact, the design is so good that, over the decades it was in production, it didn't alter all that much. Certainly, modern Land Rovers owe their success to the reputation and ability of the Series 1.
Today they are ever more collectible, and many are snapped up by classic car lovers to sympathetically restore and then trundle around in. This particular example is fantastic in that the owner has been careful not to over restore it, so all of the vehicle's history and patina is very much worn on its sleeve.
If you are looking for a largely original, very capable, lightweight 4x4 that has all the character anyone could ever need, you could well have found it here! This grand old mud-plugging master is present, correct and ready for duty - even at 66 years old!
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1956 Land Rover Series 1
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