Description
HER419 is a magnificent, exceptionally well restored Land Rover. Several years on since completion of its restoration it still appears in showroom condition as if it were completed yesterday. Testament to it being a true collector’s piece, we firs took the car into stock from a large collection in the south of England where it was amongst various other Land Rovers, only coming to us due to the acquisition of another Series I. We supplied the vehicle in 2024 to a collector and customer of ours based in Scotland along with a selection of rare and unique British cars.
Since its debut in 1948 the Land Rover has been an instantly recognizable icon on the British roads. Inspired by the WWII Jeep, The Land Rover was a roaring success and became the first mass produced civilian four-wheel-drive vehicle with doors. Although the central driving position featured in the initial prototype wasn’t continued for long, the fundamental formula for the Land Rover remained largely unchanged for over 30 years.
Early models of the Land Rover featured a 1. 6 litre petrol engine taken from a Rover P3 which although smaller than the later 2 litre model was torquey and powerful for its size. Drive was delivered to the via wheels via a 4-speed gearbox also taken from the Rover P3, with selectable four-wheel drive through a two-speed transfer box with an unusual free wheel unit allowing the drive to the front wheels to be disengaged.
Our delightful 80' Land Rover is a 1949 model year and demonstrates some extremely rare features only showcased on the very early series I vehicles. On close inspection you can note the 80 has painted "fish plates” and a Rover sump along other small eccentricities exclusive to the early production Series I Land Rovers.
The paint finish is outstanding with very straight body panels, beautifully retrimmed seats and a superbly detailed engine bay. This a collector standard car that has quite clearly had a no expense spared program of work and would easily win awards at any show or event.
