Highlights
• Thorough restoration
• Historic appeal
• Fairey overdrive unit
The Appeal
This 1954 Series 1 Land Rover is a real gem, made 36 years before the Defender name was first used. A genuine barn find, the previous owner purchased it around 6 years ago and it was treated to a very thorough restoration. These early Land Rovers have increased in value dramatically in recent years and are only continuing to climb.
This model has the more desirable 2.0L Rover petrol engine and also has a Fairey overdrive box making for good cruising ability. A wonderful vintage off-road vehicle, and one that's sure to be a wise investment.
This model has the more desirable 2.0L Rover petrol engine and also has a Fairey overdrive box making for good cruising ability. A wonderful vintage off-road vehicle, and one that's sure to be a wise investment.
The History and Paperwork
• Restoration 6 years ago by the previous owner
• Barn Find
The Interior
• Wonderful original feel
• Stainless steel chequer plate
The interior has mountains of character and maintains the fantastic original feel, it has a historic, utilitarian feel all of its own.
The restoration has been carried out to a high standard and the seats are in excellent condition, covered in grey vinyl, which contrasts nicely against the exterior matched dark green paint of the largely metal cabin. All of the controls and gauges are in very good condition and work as they should while retaining their original feel and patina. Some tasteful modernisation has been incorporated in a non-intrusive manner, such as the incorporation of some USB charging ports for modern devices.
Overall, this is a very authentic feeling interior that one should not be afraid to use as intended.
The restoration has been carried out to a high standard and the seats are in excellent condition, covered in grey vinyl, which contrasts nicely against the exterior matched dark green paint of the largely metal cabin. All of the controls and gauges are in very good condition and work as they should while retaining their original feel and patina. Some tasteful modernisation has been incorporated in a non-intrusive manner, such as the incorporation of some USB charging ports for modern devices.
Overall, this is a very authentic feeling interior that one should not be afraid to use as intended.
The Exterior
• Winch and tow rope
• Excellent stainless steel chequer plate-work
• Good paint condition
As with the cabin, the exterior has also been restored to a high standard. It has clearly had a very thorough job done, thereby ensuring this wonderful vehicle will be preserved for many years to come.
The stainless chequer plate-work contrasts nicely against the dark green paint, which has been done completed to a very nice finish. It is not concours by any means but it is a very nicely restored vehicle that you should not be afraid to use for its intended purpose. The colour-matched green steel wheels are shod in all-terrain tyres well suited to the vehicle, which really completes the vintage 4x4 look. And looking to the front of the vehicle, the winch and tow rope are a very nice and practical addition.
The canvas rear top is in excellent condition, and it also has a very nice external front sun visor.
The stainless chequer plate-work contrasts nicely against the dark green paint, which has been done completed to a very nice finish. It is not concours by any means but it is a very nicely restored vehicle that you should not be afraid to use for its intended purpose. The colour-matched green steel wheels are shod in all-terrain tyres well suited to the vehicle, which really completes the vintage 4x4 look. And looking to the front of the vehicle, the winch and tow rope are a very nice and practical addition.
The canvas rear top is in excellent condition, and it also has a very nice external front sun visor.
The Mechanics
• Very sound mechanically
• Rover 2.0L petrol engine
• Fairey overdrive box
Mechanically wanting for nothing, it has been well restored and features the larger 2.0L Rover petrol engine, a very welcome improvement over the earlier 1.6 engine. The extra grunt of this unit makes for a very capable off-road drive.
Also on this model is the Fairey overdrive unit, giving much improved cruise ability – a very welcome addition which makes the vehicle more than capable of keeping up with modern traffic. As with the rest of the vehicle, looking underneath it is not concours condition, with some signs of use and age. But this is an honest, capable, vintage utility vehicle that presents in very good condition.
We're assured by the owner that the car drives very well, starting on the button and running very nicely.
Also on this model is the Fairey overdrive unit, giving much improved cruise ability – a very welcome addition which makes the vehicle more than capable of keeping up with modern traffic. As with the rest of the vehicle, looking underneath it is not concours condition, with some signs of use and age. But this is an honest, capable, vintage utility vehicle that presents in very good condition.
We're assured by the owner that the car drives very well, starting on the button and running very nicely.
Summary
In summary, this is a superb example of a tastefully restored vintage 4x4. It benefits from a desirable specification while retaining its original character. Tasteful and practical upgrades make it a genuinely usable daily vehicle – whether you need a workhorse or something a bit different to run around in.
Increasingly rare in this condition and specification, this delightful old Land Rover is certainly not one to be missed.
Increasingly rare in this condition and specification, this delightful old Land Rover is certainly not one to be missed.
Notice to bidders
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