Description
Although production ceased in January of 2017, Land Rover's Defender production spanned a whopping 67 years, bucking fashion trends whilst somehow epitomising them and is fast becoming one of the most collectable classics of the modern era.
Influenced by Willys Jeeps of WWII, the first Land Rover arrived in 1948. Customers quickly discovered that this car could tackle just about any landscape and look darn good doing it with its own level of certain sophistication.
This level of charm and usability gave rise to unprecedented levels of demand for the early cars with owners ranging from the Queen, Fire departments, Snowy Hydro and even Hollywood stars!
I am very excited to present this meticulously restored 1955 Series 1, 107 inch ute. Being a long wheel base ute variant of the Series 1 means these were mostly used by farmers as work horses and are becoming increasingly harder to find in salvageable condition. Only 1 in 10 Series One Land Rovers were produced as utes, making this particular example arguably the rarest Series One of all.
This Series ute didn’t always look like this, originally being stumbled across in a shearing shed in rural Birdsville, Queensland the current owner saw its potential and dove into a full nut and bolt restoration with the enormous assistance of ‘Series Magic’ in Melbourne. Finished in its original Bronze Green with black chassis and tan highlights, this is now a concours ready example and comparable to the finest Series Ones in the world.
With a meticulous restoration file this Series One presents as new, with the addition of beautiful full Exmoor canvas and period towbar adding to its drivability and aesthetic appeal, currently on historic plates. It has been completely rewired with none less than the Bruce Sharman wiring loom.
Now celebrated as a timeless automotive icon, interest in classic Land Rovers is growing toward an all-time high, and early examples like this hard to find and excellently prepared Series I are fetching record prices around the world.
• Finished in Deep Bronze Green over a colour-coded interior with tan vinyl-trimmed seats, this Series I rides on the correct set of 16-inch body-coloured steel wheels, complete with load space and bonnet-mounted spare wheels, all shod in new Honour AL4000 tyres, plus spare.
• The car features a sand-coloured fabric hood with roll-down sides, a folding front windscreen, a rear tow bar, and a set of Smiths gauges.
• The vehicle’s original engine has been replaced with a 2. 25-litre petrol unit from a 1958 Series II, which is reported to have been carried out by the car’s original owner.
• Seat belts added, and fully compliant.
• Delivered to Annand & Thompson in CKD form and assembled in Australia.
• “Heritage Certified” with a 20th June 1955 build date.
• Full Gearbox Out and rebuild in April 24.
Now is the time to experience why these early series Land Rovers are so popular and with production officially ceased, there will never be another like it.
DIGIT/ DESIGNATION KEY
First digit = model year 4 = 1954, 5 = 1955
Second digit = vehicle type 7 = Land Rover
Third digit = variant 1 = 86 inch
2 = 107 inch
6 = 86 inch CKD
7 = 107 inch CKD
Fourth digit = specification 0 or 1 = Home market
3 or 4 = LHD Export
6 or 7 = RHD Export
VIN 57761204
Engine# 25278905H
