You don’t need us to tell you that the Land Rover was a hugely important vehicle, but it’s worth taking a bit of time to reflect on just why it has been revered around the world ever since it entered production in 1948. Along with the Willys Jeep, the Land Rover represented one of the first truly practical applications of four-wheel drive technology. What had once been restricted to huge, unwieldy tractors and lorries suited only to heavy industry suddenly found itself wrapped up in a compact package, and the result was revolutionary.
It was cheap to produce, and hence widely affordable, as well as being extremely straightforward to run and maintain. There was even one major improvement over the Jeep – the Land Rover made use of non-corrodible aluminium panels capped with galvanised steel, so it didn’t succumb to the dreaded tin worm.
In practice, the Land Rover successfully combined the most useful aspects of a car and a tractor, making it the ideal day-to-day vehicle on farms and rural estates everywhere. Blending durability with manoeuvrability, Land Rovers were despatched all over the world, performing tasks in places inaccessible to other vehicles. It wasn’t just Farmer Giles who approved – they were snapped up by all kinds of businesses and emergency services and, perhaps most famously, the late Queen Elizabeth became a lifelong fan of the marque after eight Land Rovers conveyed her on her 1953-54 Commonwealth Tour.
Naturally, the Land Rover has evolved considerably over time. Before long, there were short- and long-wheelbase models, pick-ups and station wagons, and all sorts of conversions. Even so, many enthusiasts maintain that the early Land Rovers are the best, or at least the purest. This characterful example is among one of the last to have been built on the original 80-inch short-wheelbase chassis, but benefits from the enlarged two-litre engine which was introduced in 1952. That, to us, makes for a very desirable specification. The provenance isn’t so bad, either, though, when you consider that this Land-Rover brushed shoulders with some of the great Formula One drivers of the 1970s. Read on…
The History and Paperwork
First registered in London on 25th March 1953
Owned since the 1960s by car dealership Hexagon of Highgate (now Hexagon Classics)
In the 1970s, Hexagon had its own Formula One team and the Land Rover was used at race meetings as pit transport
By the late 1970s or early ’80s, the Land Rover had been placed into storage where it remained until the end of 2022, when it was renovated and fully recommissioned
Sold with the current V5, plus a continuation logbook from 1968 and a V5 from 1984
Digital photos of the Land Rover as uncovered in November 2022
The Interior
Well-preserved original Vynide upholstery
Lots of characterful patina
Bulkhead-mounted spare wheel
It’s commonplace nowadays for your the modern-day car dealer to dazzle prospective customers with lists of every luxury this-and-that, much of which you might not even want. We’re not going to do that here because, well, we can’t. The early Land Rover is about as basic as anything gets, but that just means there’s nothing to distract you from the pure joy of motoring and, being an enthusiast, that’s what you covet more than anything else.
Sit down, then, on one of the plain but well-padded Vynide seats – they’re surprisingly comfortable – and take it all in. Apart from ignition and light switches, you’ve got a speedometer, fuel gauge and ammeter (we are advised that some of the gauges may not be functional) and not much else. But what more do you want? The undecorated ‘Land Rover green’ dash is a thing of functional beauty, and while you may not have intricate woodgrain or walnut swirls to admire, you have got something equally unique – patina. Year upon year of history, built up over seven decades, cannot be recreated or replicated.
The doors, floors, and other fittings all display this same marvellous patina. The upholstery, being durable Vynide, hasn’t really suffered, though there are just a few small holes in the top of the driver’s seat. The rear pick-up bed contains plenty of room for goods and luggage, even with the spare wheel mounted on the bulkhead. In short, everything is just as we think it should be.
The Exterior
Newly repainted
Brand-new soft-top and Perspex windows
New number plates and indicator lenses
When the Land Rover was woken from its 40-year slumber, it was unsurprisingly a little tired looking, so the decision was made to spruce it up a little while still retaining its distinctive character. It has been repainted in a slightly lighter green, but the paint has all been applied with a brush to maintain a suitably agricultural appearance. Such a finish may not be factory correct but it is certainly appropriate, as it reflects the sort of repaint many Land Rovers actually received in the 1950s and ’60s, and it makes for a welcome change from all the concours restorations that now abound.
The original hood had its share of holes, so a brand-new one has been fitted. It looks superb, feels high-quality and fits like a glove. Once you’re acquainted with it, it’s perfectly straightforward to fit or remove. The old reflective number plates have also been replaced with brand-new black-and-white plates. Some of the indicator lenses were missing or damaged, so all have been replaced. The original windscreen is intact but new Perspex side windows have been fitted. The tyres, while generally in good condition, may need to be replaced at some point in the future as some cracks are beginning to appear in the sidewall.
Corrosion, which is the bane of so many classic car owners, needn’t trouble the Land Rover owner. The good old Birmabright aluminium panels are, naturally, quite unaffected by corrosion, and you can see for yourself that the galvanised steel cappings are all in good order, too. There are small knocks in the bumper and tailgate, but that’s nothing less than desirable in an old Land Rover – you don’t want it to look like it’s not worked hard for a living. Underneath, everything appears to be solid, and we wouldn’t have any concerns about going bouncing over some fields or green lanes right now.
The Mechanics
Freshly recommissioned at the end of 2022
New battery, coil, filters, hoses, &c.
Carburettor cleaned and rebuilt
Starts, runs and drives beautifully
Simplicity was one of the Land Rover’s major selling points, and we’re sure it was appreciated when it came to recommissioning this one. Although it had been standing for several decades, after a straightforward service, stripping and cleaning the carburettor and fitting a new battery and coil, it fired up most obligingly, and now starts quite happily on the button. With its hoses replaced, there are no coolant leaks to the best of our knowledge.
It drove very nicely for us. Despite its agricultural connotations, it slotted into gear silently and with the greatest of ease and generally felt quite civilised. The brakes were effective at low speeds (we were not able to venture onto the road) and the steering feels nice and tight, and is not unduly heavy in spite of the Land Rover’s size and chunky tyres.
As far as our own opinion of this car goes, it feels very well-sorted and we would not hesitate to start putting some miles on it. However, the vendor points out that while it has been recommissioned and is, to the best of their knowledge, completely roadworthy, they have not had an opportunity to test it on the road themselves and form a full impression of it. Bidders are therefore sensibly advised to collect the Land Rover on a trailer, after which they may begin to familiarise themselves with it.
The Summary
The Land Rover is a great car for so many reasons and, despite what gets passed off as progress, we’d always go for an early Series I given the choice. Sometimes, simplicity really is the best thing.
This example is great, and not just because it combines the original short chassis with the two-litre engine and a brilliantly characterful appearance. What really appeals to us is the fact that it had a trackside view of one of the greatest eras of Formula One (how many other Land Rovers could say the same?) and it hasn’t been glimpsed publicly for around 40 years.
You could pay top money for a concours restoration, but you’ll have far more fun with one like this. You may as well start driving it straight away and, if you really need an excuse, there’s a Guinness World Record attempt for the Land Rover’s 75th anniversary happening in April…
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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