{"id":5991,"date":"2020-04-09T07:54:09","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T07:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.co.uk\/magazine\/?p=5991"},"modified":"2024-09-12T10:21:04","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T09:21:04","slug":"1953-land-rover-project-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carandclassic.com\/magazine\/1953-land-rover-project-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"1953 Land Rover – Project Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a common misconception that classic cars are delicate, glass-like things that will explode if they\u2019re asked to do too much. This is, of course, a silly outlook. Classic cars are just as hardy, if not hardier than their modern counterparts. For starters, they\u2019ve survived for decades, and new cars can\u2019t boast that. Because, you know, they\u2019re new. Then, there\u2019s the fact that some of them are just built tough. An old Volvo, for example, will go on forever (as we proved by <\/span>driving one to Sweden<\/span><\/a> last year). A Mercedes-Benz W123 is another tough classic. You could throw a grenade at it and it would dust it off like it was nothing. In fact, we secretly think they\u2019re built from granite. And then, of course, there is the Land Rover, or in this case, the Land Rover Series 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

The original Land Rover was the car that rebuilt post-war Great Britain. Its versatility meant it could go anywhere and do anything. Add in the fact it was available with a power take-off and you had a vehicle that could be a pump, a digger, a generator or\u2026 well, anything you needed it to be. It was and still is, the Swiss Army knife of vehicles. And it\u2019s the first, the Series 1 Land Rover<\/a>, that is perhaps the most pure. It might not be fast, or refined, or even remotely comfortable, but we can forgive it because it\u2019s not built for those things. It\u2019s built to be a tool, a utility, a lifeline in fact. Its rugged simplicity has afforded it favour around the globe, even today. Yes, get yourself a Series 1 and you\u2019ll have the original, the daddy, Land Rover genesis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is it?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

What we have here is an extremely early 86-inch wheelbase, as \u201853 and \u201854 were the first years for this new, slightly longer wheelbase (prior to this, it was 80-inch). It appears to have a van style body on the back, which again is quite rare, as most have windows. Or of course, no roof at all. It looks a bit tired, but ultimately, it also seems to be all there. In fact, more than that, it comes with a whole host of spares.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Land<\/p>\n

Yes, if you buy this Series 1 Land Rover<\/a> for the \u00a36,750 being asked, you\u2019ll get a load of spares with it. However, there is a caveat, in that the spares don\u2019t seem to be for a Series 1. Certainly, the spare front and rear wings are from a Series 2 or 3. Also, there\u2019s a spare engine in the form of a 2.25 petrol unit of MOD origins – we would be inclined to fit this, as it\u2019s been converted to run on unleaded. Furthermore, there is a zero mileage MOD gearbox to go on the back of said engine. Plus, a further two spare gearboxes, and a spare diesel engine for good measure (though the vendor states the block is cracked). There is loads of other stuff, too. Wheels, radiators, windscreen, steering wheel, fuel tank, the list goes on. And while not all of it is for a Series 1, there is no denying that there is some money to be made back by selling those bits on. Making this more of a bargain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is it a project?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not been on the road for some eighteen years, so it\u2019s in need of significant recommissioning. As mentioned above, the vendor states it comes with a diesel engine with a cracked block, however, we\u2019re unsure if that\u2019s a spares engine, or the engine currently fitted – it is registered as a diesel. Either way, you\u2019d want to put the 2.25 MOD engine in there, so it doesn\u2019t matter if the fitted engine is goosed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Land Rover looks a bit tired, but as the panels are all aluminum, there is no significant corrosion to worry about. The area that rots on these is the chassis, of which the vendor says only needs minor repairs. The bulkhead is also a known weak area, but the advert says that it\u2019s in decent condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Land<\/p>\n

It appears to have been stored inside, which is key. These old Land Rovers<\/a> don\u2019t respond well to being left outside in the elements, untouched. It strikes us as being a Landy that\u2019s a bit down at heel, but that\u2019s also brimming with potential. Plus, it\u2019s exceptionally cheap. This, combined with the fact labour costs would be low (you can do most of the work yourself), makes for a financially sound project – which is rare! Values are always on the rise<\/a> for the Series 1.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Five things to look for:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

1) Chassis<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The vendor states it needs some minor repairs, but one man\u2019s minor could be your major. As such, you need to get under there and have a good look. It\u2019s a simple box construction though, so repairs shouldn\u2019t be <\/span>too<\/span><\/i> technically challenging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Engine<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Or should that be engines, seeing as it comes with about thirteen? Check them all, specifically the one in it, which should be a diesel, and the MOD engine, as that will carry some value, either in terms of currency or as an option to fit into the vehicle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Spares<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This old Landy comes with a raft of spares, but what\u2019s what? Have a sort through them and see what you have. A lot of it looks to be for different series vehicles, so you have to ask if you want them, or if you can be bothered to try and sell them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Land<\/p>\n

4) Electrics<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s common for old Land Rovers to get hacked about a bit over the years, and honestly, the wiring is so simple that we would encourage you to replace it all. However, still check it for any breaks, faults or bad earths, as they can be a fire risk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5) Axles\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Land Rover\u2019s off-road ability comes from its axles, but only if they\u2019re in good condition. Over the last 66 years, the underside may have been battered into all kinds of immovable objects. Check for damage, leaks or bodged repairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What should you do with it?\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

This one is dead easy. We\u2019d drop that 2.25 MOD engine and \u2018box in, we\u2019d clean it up, splash on a new coat of paint (with a roller, obviously), fit some comfier\/more supportive seats and call it done. The trick here is to not over restore it. If you do that, you\u2019ll end up with a vehicle that\u2019s too nice to properly use, and that\u2019s a crime because the Land Rover – any Land Rover – is built to be used. Keep it rough and ready, fit a winch, fit some decent rubber and then explore off the beaten track. Find the path less travelled and take joy in plodding up hill and over dale in your so say \u2018delicate\u2019 classic car. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s a common misconception that classic cars are delicate, glass-like things that will explode if they\u2019re asked to do too much. This is, of course, a silly outlook. Classic cars…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":5992,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[322],"tags":[15,110,963,13,11,690,269,270,14,376,1036,1839,108,16,271],"yoast_head":"\n1953 Land Rover - Project Profile - Car & Classic Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Who doesn\u2019t like an old Land Rover? Especially when it comes with nearly enough parts to build another one! 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