Highlights
- Very early 80” Land Rover with lights behind the radiator grille and permanent four-wheel drive
- Four owners from new, all of which lived no more than twenty miles from each other in Northumberland
- The vendor informs us that the car has numbers matching chassis, engine, gearbox, ‘ring pull’ transfer box, axles and wheels
The Appeal
For Land Rover, an early Series I like this represents where it all began. Following the basic shape Maurice Wilks drew in the Anglesey sand, this plucky little car and its successors would go on to be amongst the most capable off-roaders of all time
This 1949 example has a great story to tell, having lived in Northumberland all of its life and served as a farmer’s vehicle, mechanic’s recovery wagon and enthusiast’s pride and joy. Kept in dry storage during recent years, it is now in need of a new home where its next adventure no doubt awaits.
The History and Paperwork
- Sold new by Ord and Son Motor Engineers, Chathill, Northumberland
- Before the Land Rover was collected by its first owner, it was cleaned and checked over by Ord and Son’s apprentice W. Mitchel, who would later own the car
- Sold to Mr Robinson of Tugle Farm, with whom the Land Rover lived for around twenty years
- At this point, the original supplier Ord and Son bought the car back and used it as a recovery vehicle until the business closed during the 1980s
- W. Mitchel then took ownership of the Land Rover and regularly displayed it at local shows until 2011 when the vendor acquired it
- In recent years, it has continued to attend shows before going into storage
- Collection of old MOT test certificates and tax discs
- Postcard and drinks coaster bearing artwork depicting the car
- Fourth edition of the operation manual
- Collection of rosettes won by the car from shows
- Driven twice a year around a field and then put back into storage
The Interior
- Period Ord and Son ceramic dealer badges
- Three-abreast front seating
- Fire extinguisher and washer bottle added
With early Land Rovers especially, there is very little in the way of creature comforts. A far cry from the infotainment screens and heated steering wheels of today, a Series I barely even has soft furnishings or even a dashboard. It is spartan and utilitarian in every respect and therefore, perfectly suited to the hard work for which they were originally intended.
All appears in good usable inside this example with some patina as you’d expect of an old Land Rover. The vendor suggests that the seats are looking a little tired and the repaired steering wheel may require replacing with a reconditioned item. Along with the exterior, the inside of the bulkhead, floors and seatbox have been repainted at some point and present well. The centrally mounted small instrument cluster looks to be in good order and the gauges remain legible. It appears a washer bottle has been added, as has a fire extinguisher. We understand that everything works as it should, with the exception of the single windscreen wiper.
In the rear, we find a spare wheel and the load bay is in good condition, with a few signs of use. The starting handle and Tangye jack handle remain in place. The jack and a few other tools can be found in the compartment underneath the passenger seat. Lifting the driver’s seat reveals the fuel tank and it is filled directly from there.
The Exterior
- Very straight bodywork
- Repainted
- Lights behind the grille
- Full canvas tilt in good condition
- Smart chassis
It is always fascinating to look at an early Series I as even Land Rovers of today can trace elements of their design back to vehicles like this one. What immediately strikes you with this 1949 example is how straight the bodywork is. Fashioned from ‘Birmabright’, an aluminium alloy, Land Rovers resist corrosion but dent easily. This Series I displays few signs of past accidents which is truly remarkable given its age and the way these vehicles were and, in some cases, continue to be used.
One thing that immediately identifies this as an early Series I is the fact that the headlamps are positioned behind the grille. A further indication of its age is its 80” wheelbase and, when parked next to a modern car, you realise how small these Land Rovers were. This one has of course been repainted, possibly numerous times in its life and the current coat of green paint is in reasonable condition. There is some orange peel and a little overspray here and there, but overall it is a bright and smart example.
The glass appears in good order as do the light lenses. This car retains its removable door tops and the vendor points out that the perspex windows have become rather cloudy as is not uncommon with Land Rovers of this vintage.
No indicators have been let into the front wings which is good to see and, for those wondering, the holes on the sides are designed to hold rubber buffers preventing the doors from striking the bodywork when opened to their full 180 degree extent. We couldn’t see any electrolytic corrosion in all the usual places and doors look to be really sound.
Underneath, the chassis appears very smart with no corrosion evident, including the commonly troublesome spots like the rear crossmember and outriggers. The vendor informs us that the wheels are the original items and the Avon tyres are quite new. A set of period-correct Dunlop crossply tyres are also supplied but are not in usable condition. The canvas tilt presents well with some light patination but no damage we could see.
The Mechanics
- 1.6-litre inline four
- Permanent four-wheel drive with ‘ring pull’ freewheel lock
- Starts, runs and drives as it should
Having been in storage in recent years, the Land Rover is started and driven around a field twice annually where it continues to perform well. Under the bonnet, all appears in very good condition and while the vendor informs us of a few small fluid leaks, these are not immediately apparent looking at the engine.
The permanent four-wheel drive system works exactly as it should and the car engages all forward and reverse gears smoothly. The vendor reports that it shows excellent oil pressure, compression and water temperature. The brakes work well too, although we advise a thorough inspection of these and the other mechanicals is carried out prior to using this vehicle regularly.
Summary
It isn’t often that the opportunity to acquire such an early Land Rover presents itself. If your collection is in need of a fitting centrepiece, then this Series I is not to be missed.
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