LOT 130
1961 Land Rover Series II 88-inch Hardtop Chassis no. 144-103461 Engine no. 151119002
Sold for US$28,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 130
Originally owned by Arthur Miller and his wife, Marilyn Monroe
1961 Land Rover Series II 88-inch Hardtop
1961 Land Rover Series II 88-inch Hardtop
1961 Land Rover Series II 88-inch Hardtop
Chassis no. 144-103461
Engine no. 151119002
Chassis no. 144-103461
Engine no. 151119002
2,286cc Inline 4-Cylinder Petrol Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
77bhp
4-Speed, 3-4 Synchronized, Manual Transmission
2-Speed Transfer Case
Front and Rear Live Axle Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Purchased new by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Arthur Miller
*Owned by Miller and his wife Marylin Monroe
*Delivered at the factory
*Accompanied by factory invoice and original title in Miller's name
*Offered directly from a Miller family member
*Original Sand color with factory hard top
*An extraordinary piece of American pop-culture history
THE LAND ROVER SERIES II
Some ten years after the original Land Rover's introduction it was felt that the time had come to update the somewhat primitive slab-sided styling and give the plucky off-roader a (slight) dash of refinement. The result was the Series II, which introduced a handful of welcome mechanical refinements, improved quality, and ushered in the new rounded body sides that would characterize the Land Rover essentially to the end.
Introduced in 1958, the Series II was available with the 2,286cc petrol engine, which may not have been a mighty powerhouse, but it was a dependable tool that saw untold tests in the field. By this time the original permanent four-wheel drive freewheel transmission had been superseded by the more conventional selectable two- or four-wheel drive arrangement via a new transfer case, with a set of low ratios available if required with the latter option engaged to get one out of even the stickiest of situations.
From its debut to the end of production in 2016, the legendary Land Rover was universally loved in its homeland and beyond – a classless workhorse relied on equally by farmers, tradesmen, and even the Queen Herself to get the job done, regardless of terrain or conditions.
THE CAR OFFERED
Speaking to the Land Rover's universal appeal is this very special 1961 Series II 88-Inch model, purchased new by the acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and author, Arthur Miller during his famous marriage to (speaking of icons) Marilyn Monroe; one of the most recognizable cultural figures of the 20th century. It has been in care of the Miller family since new and was cherished by Arthur for more than 4 decades. A copy of the original invoice on file shows that Arthur Miller bought his Landie directly from the factory in Solihull, eventually titling it in Connecticut, a copy of which is on file. Miller specified his Series II as a left-drive 88-inch Basic model finished in Sand and equipped with private locks, rubber pedal pads, hard top with side windows, additional windscreen wiper, hand throttle, and auxiliary gauges. There's also a heater, four side-facing rear jump seats, and a rear PTO drive. He and Marilyn Monroe shared a sprawling country estate in Roxbury, Connecticut which served as a respite for them both from the energy of New York City – where Arthur spent hours writing in a small outbuilding, and where Marilyn escaped the prying eyes of the paparazzi.
The Land Rover Series II was kept at the Roxbury home, used for traversing the property, maintenance tasks, and for runs into town. It has been said that Arthur Miller loved creating and working with his hands – he famously built the 12-seat dining table and chairs in his home from scratch, and he also lovingly maintained and mended the Land Rover whenever necessary during the 44 years he owned it, leaving his indelible mark on the machine. Showing an honest, hard-earned patina and bearing the marks of a much-loved tool, the Landie is highly original and unrestored, and, due to a period of disuse, will require some recommissioning before returning to the road.
Following Arthur Miller's passing in 2005, the Land Rover has remained in the care of his family, and it is being offered for sale for the first time since it left the Solihull works in 1961. Accompanying documentation includes the aforementioned title certificate and factory invoice, as well as a BMIHT Heritage Certificate. Rich with character and history, this very special Land Rover Series II indeed presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a fascinating slice of Americana, once owned by two cultural giants of the mid-20th Century.
Saleroom notices
Further research has revealed that Miller and Monroe divorced shortly before this Land Rover was purchased, and Marilyn's connection to it is not fully established.
Additional information
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