Highlights
- Extensive ground up restoration completed in 2023
- Retains its original matching-numbers 2.0-litre petrol engine and gearbox
- Supported by a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate and approximately £40,000 in restoration receipts
- UK home-market vehicle retaining its original registration number
- Voluntarily passed an MOT with no advisories in 2023
The Appeal
The Series 1 86-inch is among the most collectible of all Land Rovers. Produced between 1953 and 1956, the 86-inch wheelbase variant represents a particularly sought-after chapter in the marque's history, and well-restored examples with genuine provenance are increasingly hard to find.
This example was built on 22 April 1955 and despatched four days later to Longton Garages Limited in Stoke-on-Trent. It is a right-hand drive, UK home-market vehicle that retains its original registration number and, crucially, its original matching-numbers 2.0-litre petrol engine and gearbox, a distinction the vendor notes is uncommon among surviving examples.
Purchased by the vendor in 2017 after spending over 40 years in a barn, it has since undergone a thorough ground up restoration using original OEM parts where possible and sheradised fasteners throughout. The scope of work was extensive, encompassing the engine, gearbox, chassis, bulkhead, axles, braking system, electrics, bodywork and interior. The restoration was completed in 2023, at which point the vehicle was voluntarily submitted for and passed an MOT with no advisories. It has only covered 71 miles since, and the vendor states the rebuild has been carried out to a very high standard.
Finished in factory Deep Bronze Green, this Series 1 offers a strong combination of originality and careful restoration.
Key Information
- Mileage: 71 miles indicated, believed to be since restoration
- Country of registration: United Kingdom
- MOT status: voluntarily passed with no advisories in 2023; since expired but MOT-exempt as a pre-1977 vehicle
- Technical specs: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol, four-speed manual gearbox
- Paperwork: British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate, V5C, original registration book, approximately £40,000 in restoration invoices, collection of restoration photographs
The Detail
- Professionally rebuilt original 2.0-litre petrol engine and ancillaries
- Professionally rebuilt original gearbox with period-correct clutch
- New hot-dipped galvanised chassis professionally built
- New bulkhead fitted
- Original axles rebuilt with professionally rebuilt differentials
- Refurbished original prop shafts with new swivels and refurbished running gear
- New brakes, shoes, wheel cylinders and cast iron drums
- Original date-stamped radiator re-cored
- All four springs professionally refurbished
- New braided wiring loom and all-new electrics throughout
- All original instrumentation refurbished
- All bodywork and panels stripped, treated, primed and repainted in factory Deep Bronze Green
- All aluminium components stripped, treated and repainted
- All metalwork stripped and galvanised or painted
- New seals fitted and riveted throughout
- Original rear tub refurbished with new floor fitted
- New tailgate fitted
- New laminated windscreens
- Original door tops fitted with new Perspex sliding windows
- Original galvanised front grille and Land Rover badge retained
- Original date-stamped 16-inch steel wheels stripped, treated and painted; spare wheel in the rear
- New green vinyl Exmoor Trim seats front and rear
- New beige Exmoor Trim hood
- Original steering wheel refurbished and resin-coated
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