Highlights 

• A charming Series I Land Rover in a very original and unmolested condition
• From the last year of SI production and featuring the 2L diesel engine first seen in ‘57
• Complete with sought after period touches like “cat-flap” rear door and “D-style” brake lights

The Appeal

 
The Land Rover is as an iconic motoring milestone as it is possible to be. With its inspiration taken from the Willys Jeep and its subsequent, dramatic worldwide success it has to be one of the most recognisable vehicles on the planet. That is especially true of the Series I iteration which was produced between 1948 and 1958.
 
This example hails from the last year of Series I production and features the more modern 2L diesel engine which was first introduced the year prior. Our example presents very well for a utility vehicle that’s well over 60 years old. With its Keswick Green and Limestone livery, 88” covered pickup configuration and three abreast seating, this is truly a late 50’s Land Rover from “central casting.” 

The History & Paperwork

• A UK supplied and specified right hand drive example 
• Built and dispatched from Solihull in November 1957
• Despite this the fourth digit of the chassis number is an “8”
• This designates the Land Rover as a 1958 model
• The Land Rover was dispatched to dealers Macrea & Dick of Inverness
• The original registration number it wears was issued in Inverness also
• Due to minimal available paperwork, little is known of its subsequent life
• In recent times the Land Rover has been used as a shoot vehicle on a private estate
• It is now being sold due to the passing of its owner
• The V5 for the Land Rover has been misplaced currently
• A replacement document is currently awaited
• A factory record Heritage Certificate is present and pictured for your review

 

The Condition

• The Land Rover presents in the popular Keswick Green and Limestone livery
• The Series is fitted with the hard top and van sides
• The overall condition of the paint and bodywork looks to be very good
• Inevitably for a 65-year-old Land Rover there is the odd appropriate ripple in evidence
• The front profile of the Land Rover features the period correct inboard headlamps 
• These sit either side of the mesh grill and above the galvanised front bumper
• This appears original, retaining its starting handle aperture
• The steel wheels are finished in Keswick Green paintwork to match the body
•  These are fitted with a set of Avon off road tyres in the appropriate size and configuration
• Large and practical rubber mud flaps are also fitted at the rear
• The rear profile of the Land Rover reveals the sought-after “cat-flap” door configuration
• An expensive and hard to find feature if it was to be retrofitted
• Period correct Lucas “D-style” rear lamps are also evident
• Another valuable and sought-after refinement for the Series I
• A tow hitch paired with single electrics are also noted
• The interior presents in a very tidy, highly original condition
• The seating is courtesy of the familiar three-abreast configuration
• The vinyl of the seats appears to be in an excellent overall condition
• The seat backs fold for added utility and the bases lift to access storage and maintenance areas
• The minimal instrumentation is placed centrally and features the familiar British Jaeger dials
• The floors of the cab are finished in body coloured Birmabright
• These are protected with open treaded rubber mats
• The signature “goose neck” gear lever and four-wheel drive and low / high ratio levers are noted
• Originality and utility are the watchwords for this Series interior
• The rear cabin is accessed via the two-piece opening rear door
• This area is presented in body coloured paintwork with a protective rubber mat to the floor
• The spare wheel is mounted to the bulkhead
• The overall condition of the rear cabin is very good for the Land Rover’s age

The Mechanics

• This example is fitted with the 1957 onward, four-cylinder diesel engine
• This unit is proven as a durable and reliable unit capable of high mileages
• This is a two-litre unit with a more modern overhead valve layout
• This unit was one of the first “high-speed” diesel engines developed for road use
• Original output was around 52 bhp at a lofty (for a diesel) 4,000 rpm
• This is paired with a four-speed manual gearbox
• A high / low ratio transfer box is also fitted, and four-wheel drive is manually selectable
• The engine bay looks highly original overall
• The factory-fitted oil bath air filter is still present
• The inner panels all look in fine shape as does what can be seen of the bulkhead
• The underside of the Land Rover appears to have been well cared for
• The all-important chassis rails and outriggers look to be well presented
• The condition appears commensurate with regular protective treatments and attention

BEFORE YOU BUY