Tim Schofield
Head of UK Business Development, Motoring
LOT 103
1954 Land Rover Series I 107" 4x4 Recovery Truck Registration no. HCL 164 Chassis no. 57200386
Sold for £23,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 103
Offered from the estate of the late Peter Stevens
1954 Land Rover Series I 107" 4x4 Recovery Truck
1954 Land Rover Series I 107" 4x4 Recovery Truck
1954 Land Rover Series I 107" 4x4 Recovery Truck
Registration no. HCL 164
Chassis no. 57200386
Registration no. HCL 164
Chassis no. 57200386
• In original 1950s Steels of Cheltenham livery
• Extensively restored by the previous owner
• Featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine
• Present ownership since circa 2017
Built on 21st December 1954, this Series I Land Rover was dispatched eight days later to Mann Egerton of Norwich where Mann Egerton - it is believed - converted it into a Recovery Truck using recovery equipment of their own manufacture. The vehicle was registered on 1st February 1955 but whether or not it went directly to Steels of Cheltenham is unclear. Steels of Cheltenham were Rover and Wolseley main dealers.
The previous owner carried out an extensive rebuild, retaining the original Steels of Cheltenham paintwork and sign writing wherever possible (it had been completely painted over with light blue paint, which was painstakingly removed to reveal the original paintwork and sign writing).
A brand new Radfords galvanised bulkhead was fitted and the chassis repaired where needed, though it was in very good order to start with. The engine is not the original but is the correct 'spread bore' 2.0-litre petrol unit of similar age, which has been rebuilt. The gearbox and both axles were overhauled; the rear axle is from a later Series II, which is a common upgrade from the fragile Series I rear axle. An original Mann Egerton crane, complete with support jacks, is fitted on the rear cross-member. On the front there is a Mann Egerton 'Towing Ambulance' with its draw bar stored under the rear body through the PTO hole in the rear cross member. A later Series I recirculating-ball steering box has been fitted, which makes the steering both less wayward and lighter.
A unique vehicle that creates a lot of interest, the tow truck was featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine's April 2012 edition. Finished in 2011, the Land Rover had covered only 430 miles when the late Peter Stevens purchased it circa 2017. More recently it took part in the HCVS London to Brighton Run in May 2025.
• Extensively restored by the previous owner
• Featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine
• Present ownership since circa 2017
Built on 21st December 1954, this Series I Land Rover was dispatched eight days later to Mann Egerton of Norwich where Mann Egerton - it is believed - converted it into a Recovery Truck using recovery equipment of their own manufacture. The vehicle was registered on 1st February 1955 but whether or not it went directly to Steels of Cheltenham is unclear. Steels of Cheltenham were Rover and Wolseley main dealers.
The previous owner carried out an extensive rebuild, retaining the original Steels of Cheltenham paintwork and sign writing wherever possible (it had been completely painted over with light blue paint, which was painstakingly removed to reveal the original paintwork and sign writing).
A brand new Radfords galvanised bulkhead was fitted and the chassis repaired where needed, though it was in very good order to start with. The engine is not the original but is the correct 'spread bore' 2.0-litre petrol unit of similar age, which has been rebuilt. The gearbox and both axles were overhauled; the rear axle is from a later Series II, which is a common upgrade from the fragile Series I rear axle. An original Mann Egerton crane, complete with support jacks, is fitted on the rear cross-member. On the front there is a Mann Egerton 'Towing Ambulance' with its draw bar stored under the rear body through the PTO hole in the rear cross member. A later Series I recirculating-ball steering box has been fitted, which makes the steering both less wayward and lighter.
A unique vehicle that creates a lot of interest, the tow truck was featured in Land Rover Owner International magazine's April 2012 edition. Finished in 2011, the Land Rover had covered only 430 miles when the late Peter Stevens purchased it circa 2017. More recently it took part in the HCVS London to Brighton Run in May 2025.
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