Description
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
27th Nov, 2024 13:00
1951 Land Rover Series I 80in
Estimate
£14, 000 - £16, 000
Registration No: 553 XUH
Chassis No: 16103248
MOT: Exempt
Current ownership for over 20 years
Supplied new to the MoD
Understood to have been used by the Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit
This is where `The Best 4x4 by Far' started - a utility vehicle devised in 1947 by the Wilks brothers for use on their farm and inspired by the wartime Jeep. Aluminium panels, used because of a shortage of steel, meant the bodies did not rust and thanks to an ingenious high/ low ratio four-wheel drive system, the new small truck was possessed of incredible climbing ability in all conditions including glutinous mud. Initially powered by a 1595cc inlet-over-exhaust Rover engine, a 2-litre unit was soon adopted. More than 60 years after the prototype first ran, Land Rovers of all ages continue to give faithful service all around the world.
Reputedly one of just 3, 971 Series One 80-in Landies made for the ‘home market’ during the 1951 model year, chassis 16103248 was supplied new to the British Armed Forces. Allocated the armed forces registration ’33 BD 05’, the compact 4x4 is understood to have been used by the Military Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit. Still sporting a Ministry of Supply plaque which indicates that it was subject to a ‘base overhaul’, the Land Rover was demobbed in 1965. Entering the current ownership over twenty years ago, the Series One exchanged its initial civilian number plate (‘FNU 947C’) for the current one (‘553 XUH’) in 2008. The Blue / Green paint worn by the engine suggests that it is a MOD reconditioned unit, while the vendor believes that the canvas tilt could well be original! Maintained in-house as part of a small collection of agricultural and off-road machinery, the Landie started readily and ran well during our recent photography session. Bearing military insignia once more, this delightfully patinated Series One has charm aplenty.
