Highlights 

• Dry climate import
• Right-hand-drive
• Fully known history 
• Project for light recommissioning

The Appeal

 
One of the beauties of Land Rovers is that they’re loved (and used) all over the world – and the Series I was very much the pioneer of what went on to become the brand’s global domination of the utility 4x4 market.

Built by the Rover Company on similar principles to the US Jeep, intended initially for military and agricultural purposes, the Land Rover became an icon whose DNA still runs through the brand today, and is recognisable wherever you are in the world.
 
In the case of this example, that extends to even some of the more far-flung places – it returned to the UK last year, having spent most of its life in Botswana, where the arid climate means its remarkably solid and doesn’t appear to have ever been welded.

The vendor purchased the Land Rover in 2020 from the previous owner, who had owned it since 1982. Prior to that, it had been owned from new by the Botswanan government, having been originally dispatched to the High Commission in Salisbury, in the former Rhodesia, and put into service with the Bechuanaland border police.
 
It was certainly in government use when the territory gained independence as Botswana in 1966 and was released by auction – the original number plates are included with the vehicle. The last owner used it frequently and the vendor then used it himself for light duties on his family farm in Botswana, but brough the truck with him when he moved to the UK last year.

It has been in dry storage since and is completely and wholly original, other than being fitted with a lightweight tropical tilt on a new galvanised frame. It has had no restoration at all, and is presented ‘as is’ with an amazing patina of paint oxidised under the Kalahari sun.

The History and Paperwork

• UK V5C 
• All import duties completed and paid
• UK-registered with non-transferable registration
• Genuine mileage
• British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Heritage Certificate
• Original Botswanan number plates and licence disc
• Matching chassis, engine and axle numbers

The Condition

• Original green paint 
• All original panels
• Never welded
• Tropical tilt with galvanised frame
• The rear tub has clearly had a long-range fuel tank or water tank fitted in the past and a side access filter hole has been cut in the bodywork – tank no longer fitted
• The front panels suffered hailstorm damage shortly after the vendor bought it, with pockmarks evident in the wing tops and roof 
• The passenger windscreen is also hail damaged 
• Front wings show the most wear and tear and they have been repaired in the past
• The interior paint is in good condition and the shovel seat backs are in reasonable condition
• Seat squabs are in used condition with some notable wear
• The interior is as spartan as when it left the factory in 1957 
• Perspex windows are in poor condition, cracked and hazy from the sun
• Rare rear cab slider windows are complete
• The crank handle is located on the bulkhead behind the seats, still in its in original clips 
• The truck is thought to still be on the same tyres it left service with in the early 1980s 
• One tail light is damaged and both front side light lenses are missing 
• New horn button required, as previous one was stolen
• Fitted from the factory with a single windscreen wiper in front of the driver’s screen only
• Remarkable, charming patina

The Mechanics 

• 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine
• Four-speed manual transmission
• Brakes will require attention as vehicle hasn’t been used for a long time
• The engine runs and the transmission including transfer box works well 
• The carburettor is not perfect – a brand new carb is included with the vehicle
• Huge project potential – one to be preserved and not over-restored

BEFORE YOU BUY