The Land Rover Series I was produced by The Rover Company in 1948 and continued under production of British Leyland. Prior to the war Rover were producing high end luxury cars but in a bid to be relevant in what was a very difficult time it was decided a more agricultural vehicle was needed as the country had many years of rebuilding ahead of it. It was deliberately a very simple, rugged, utilitarian design that was different to nearly all other trucks and 4WD vehicles of the time. Mass produced and offering a hard top version, it was mounted on a sturdy box frame and due to the post war steel shortage a lot of Aluminium was used in its production thus ensuring a certain amount of longevity due to its rust resistant properties.
The Land Rover was actually designed to only be in production for two or three years to gain some cash flow for Rover and allow the export of orders overseas so it could restart its up-market car production. However , once car production restarted, it was greatly outsold by the off-road Land Rover, which developed into its own brand that even remains successful today.
Many of the Land Rovers defining features such as the boxy simple design were born out of the companies desire to produce the vehicle as simply and as cost effectively as possible. Large flat panels and big curve radiuses were easily and consistently achievable on large jigs and did not require complicated production techniques. It was even basic in its sale spec with things like tops of the doors or canvas roofs being an optional extras which almost ensures some 72 years down the line that no two Land Rovers are the same.
The Land Rover had so many additional accessories for multiple uses, it was seen as a very versatile vehicle indeed. Through its simplicity and go anywhere off road capabilities it has gained, and still continues, to have a massive following around the world.
The current owner acquired the Land-Rover three years ago, looking much as it does now. He has only used it in the dry, for mainly local outings, including taking guests to a couple of weddings. The time has now come to sell the vehicle to fund his own two daughters’ impending weddings!
Little is known about the history although it’s believed to have spent his entire life in Somerset from new. It carries a correct December 1955 Somerset registration number and the V5 shows it to have been first registered in the UK on December 15, 1955. The chassis number starting 1706… is correct for a 1956 Basic model Home Market sale vehicle.
Whilst a sympathetic restoration has been undertaken prior to his ownership the current owner has also spent thousands to improve its safety and drivability, using a well-respected local Land-Rover specialist Peter Rowe.
Whilst this is not a concours level vehicle it’s a very clean usable Land Rover that drives well and is more than reliable. The gear change is easy and both low and high ratios work as they should. It is MoT and Tax exempt.
The interior in this Landy is very tidy, with near-new front seats of the correct pattern fitted as part of the restoration and mostly working instruments. However there are a few small niggles, the fuel gauge permanently reads full, and the windscreen wipers are not working (though it is believed they are of the correct type and would probably respond to careful stripping, cleaning and lubricating). The bulkhead behind the front seats shows great patina with plenty of small dents but the rear compartment is otherwise tidy with seat cushions and the correct canvas tilt, which can be rolled up at the rear, at the sides and/or removed altogether if required.
The thin original style steering wheel remains and all in all it’s a sparse but comfortable place to be, as comfortable as a vehicle of this type can be.
‘Ella’ as she has been nicknamed, has a bright coat of paint and a lovely new canvas tilt. The body panels are correct and original-spec, with nice details including the early flat door hinges and the rubber buttons on the front wings for when the doors are swung fully open. The correct-spec narrow front bumper is fitted and the front wings carry just the correct single combined sidelight/indicator lamps. Halogen headlights have been fitted for improved night driving, within the correct four-hole central grille panel. The spare wheel is mounted on the bonnet. All the tyres have plenty of tread, but their rubber is crazed/cracked and could do with replacing soon.
At the rear, for additional safety, flashing amber indicators have been fitted with separate red brake/tail lights and reflectors. Below the drop-down tailgate is a very substantial multi-level towing bracket which is bolted to the rear crossmember. The door tops have not been restored and are missing the rear sliding glasses, but are otherwise complete and easily restorable. They will come with the vehicle.
You will see from the images that overall the vehicle looks great and has definitely benefitted from the sympathetic restoration is received from the previous owner. Although there is no paperwork to support the restoration as it was done by the previous owner himself, he appears to have taken great care to give the old girl a fresh lease of life without ruining its character.
Whilst the interior, rear canvas and paint work has been given a going over , the engine bay and parts of the running gear are largely left original in fully functional condition but definitely sporting patina appropriate to its years.
The chassis is solid and well protected, with a new gearbox crossmember as shown in the paperwork and evidence of past repairs to outriggers and other parts that all appear well executed.
The current owner had a new period-look wiring loom fitted by Peter Rowe Land Rover specialist and whilst they were there, they were tasked to go through most of the electrical components to get them working. They have also reshimmed bearings, replaced oil seals, rebuilt the brakes, welded on a new gearbox crossmember, and rebuilt the distributor with correct ignition advance. The result of this mini overhaul is a very usable and good looking Land-Rover which, while it could still benefit from further improvement such as new tyres if being used more regularly, is now a very dependable vehicle that starts easily, drives smoothly and correctly and does not leak oil everywhere like most.
The engine fitted has an alloy cylinder head, SU carburettor and period Coopers air filter This is correct for a Rover P4 60, which used a mildly uprated version of the Land-Rover 1997cc engine, and the engine number appears to identify it as a 1958 Rover 60 unit. While not original, this is a period version of the same engine with a little more power and it appears to run really well.
Any works carried out in the current owners time are backed up with receipts in the paperwork.
In the world of off road utility vehicles the Series 1 Landrover is now considered a collectors piece. The original Land Rover was inspired by the simple JEEP that was made famous by its success in World War II. The Land Rover aimed to be cheap, reliable, rugged and came in many different forms with all kind of attachments and accessories to ensure the operator could “get the job done” in a multitude of scenarios, they were also purposely simple so that fixing them in the field was as easy as possible. From carrying troops, to carrying kit. Transporting animals or delivering aid. Rough terrain, fording a stream , towing a trailer it was all taken in the Land Rovers stride.
Today they still have a massive fanbase and it only took me an hour or so spent with it to decide I too would like to join that club. The simplicity of the basic engineering is some what refreshing and who would not want to take a Sunday trip to a country pub in a beautiful historic vehicle like this.
The particular Land Rover is a clean tidy example which sports some simple slightly more modern safety upgrades to assist in it keeping up with todays traffic but is largely kept in the essence of the original. It is not a concours example, but is in very presentable useable condition and that’s all it needs, to be used and enjoyed.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
NO RESERVE! - 1955 Series I Land Rover
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.
