Lot Ended
Description
Beautifully
patinated and highly useable Series I; bought by the vendor in 1968 and again in
1978; lovely original condition; includes boxes of spare parts; driven to the
sale
The Land Rover Series I represents a
pivotal moment in British motoring history. Built with rugged simplicity, it
featured a 2.0-litre petrol engine and selectable four-wheel drive, making it
ideal for agricultural, military, and expedition use. Its aluminium bodywork
resisted corrosion, a legacy of post-war material shortages.
Declared manufactured in 1955, this beautifully patinated Series I
86in petrol shows only two former keepers on the V5C.
The present owner originally bought this vehicle in 1968 after it had
been used on an estate in Montgomeryshire. The vehicle was then altered by
having the tailgate removed and substituted with a door. A wide rear step
was added so that it could be used to carry passengers on mountain tours in the
Highlands of Scotland and Jerry cans
were also added - carried on boxes fixed to the front
bumper.
Successful tours were operated for the
whole of 1969 and then the vehicle was sold in early 1970. A professional
photographer was taken over one of the usual routes of some of the mountain
tours – the Corrieyairack Pass in the Monaliath mountains in Inverness-shire
from Laggan to Fort Augustus. The photographs were to be used in an edition of
“Drive” magazine for the AA.
The vehicle was
later seen at a horse show in Worcestershire in the summer of 1978 and was
purchased again by the present owner. It has remained in his possession ever
since. It was used regularly in the North of Scotland between 1980 and 2000 with
only one alteration – the jerry cans had been removed from the front. The rear
door remains.
Many repairs and renewals were
carried out during the vehicle’s time, both in Scotland and England, during
which chassis parts were replaced, and major engine repairs and replacements.
Ultimately a major rebuild was undertaken between 2008 and 2011, the
work done by a Land Rover enthusiast.
After
restoration the vehicle was lovingly used for long runs on holidays in both
Ireland and Scotland without any serious mishaps – overheating and punctures
always occurring of course!!!
A short time ago,
the Land Rover was used by a television company which was making a series of
films based on the children’s classic poem “The Sound Collector” which was
narrated for Channel 5 by Keira Knightly. The vendor reports it was a thoroughly
enjoyable time and there were many shots of EEP on the TV.
The paperwork includes an MOT certificate valid till October 2026 and
the current V5C showing the vehicle as historic.
Included in the sale are
some additional spare parts, two doors, tailgate, radiator, new galvanised
bumper, exhaust shield, heater pipework and two large boxes of other parts,
including light fittings and lenses.
Driven to
the sale, it has been starting promptly and driving while on
site.
Contact: david.tassell@brightwells.com