Highlights

Only two former registered keepers from new
Accompanied by heritage certificate from BMI Heritage Trust
MOT'd until April 2027 with no advisories
Recommissioned in 2023 including suspension, brakes and exhaust
Bulkhead and chassis reported to be sound, retaining honest original patina

The Appeal

Built during the period when the long-wheelbase variant was still a relative newcomer, surviving examples of a long-wheelbase Series 1 Landy in honest, usable condition are increasingly scarce. This 1957 example carries a particularly interesting history, having been originally supplied new to a garage in Exeter, fitted with a diesel engine and pressed into service as a tow truck!

Now on just its third registered keeper, this Land Rover was retrieved from roadside storage in Cornwall in early 2023 and recommissioned over the following months with the assistance of a specialist Land Rover garage. The current six-cylinder petrol engine, believed to have been fitted in the 1960s, is said to run smoothly with good oil pressure and steady water temperature, while the gearbox and transmission were inspected by a specialist Land Rover garage with no faults found. The vendor describes this as a reliable, usable Land Rover rather than a project, and it's accompanied by spare parts for the few minor jobs still outstanding.

Key Information

Mileage: 60,000 miles (indicated)
Country of registration: United Kingdom
Technical inspection status: Advisory-free MOT valid until April 2027
Technical specs: 2,638cc six-cylinder petrol engine, 4-speed manual transmission with Fairey overdrive
Paperwork: V5, Heritage certificate from BMI Heritage Trust
Plate: vendor informs us, registration valued at £2,000 by third party plate seller and is included

The Detail

Built September 1957 and first registered November 1957
Six-cylinder petrol engine believed to have been fitted in the 1960s, replacing the original diesel unit
Originally purchased new by a garage in Exeter and used as a tow truck
Recommissioned March–August 2023 with professional assistance from a specialist Land Rover garage
New springs, shock absorbers, various shackles, brake cylinders, seals, drums and pipes fitted
New exhaust system fitted
Electronic ignition and new coil fitted
Alternator fitted with negative earth conversion; original dynamo included with the sale
Stainless steel fuel tank fitted
All fluids changed during recommissioning
Transmission, gearbox and engine examined by a specialist Land Rover garage with no faults found
The vendor states the engine runs smoothly with good oil pressure and water temperature
Brakes fully serviced and reported to be working correctly
Bulkhead, chassis and front grille reported to be sound with no major structural rust
Some welding repairs to foot wells and two minor welds to chassis (outrigger and rear cross member)
Chassis cleaned back to bare metal and reported to be original
Interior cleaned; some surface rust present from a period stored at the roadside without windows
New upholstery fitted on original seat bases and backs
Five Wrangler 7.50x16 tyres fitted with 6–9 mm tread remaining
Tow bar and towing electrics fitted
Fairey overdrive and freewheeling hubs fitted; oil leak noted from nearside hub
New lower windscreen drip tray, thermostat, plugs and radiator cap fitted
Temperamental windscreen wiper motor, pedal grommets and upper windscreen rubber seal need attention - new parts for these included with the sale
Receipts for work carried out and parts fitted are available

BEFORE YOU BUY

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