1948 Land Rover Series 1 4x4 Utility

• Rare early 'lights behind grille' model
• Original chassis, engine and registration
• Professionally restored 2017-2019
• Little used since completion
• Offered from a private collection of Series I Land Rovers

Inspired by the US Army's wartime 'Jeep', developed in haste and intended for short-term, small-scale production, the Land Rover would defy its creators' initial scepticism. Rover bosses the Wilks brothers saw the need for a tough, four-wheel-drive, utility vehicle to serve the needs of the agricultural community in the immediate post-war years, but the Land Rover's runaway success following its introduction in 1948 took the company by surprise. The necessity of using corrosion resistant aluminium panels at a time of severe steel shortage turned into a positive virtue in the Land Rover's sphere of operations, and the use of existing components - including the P3 saloon's 1,595cc, four-cylinder, inlet-over-exhaust engine - kept production costs down and cut development time. There was permanent four-wheel drive with a lockable freewheel for the front axle, a Rover four-speed gearbox, and a two-speed transfer box offering high and low ranges. Ruggedly built and simple in construction, the Land Rover proved capable of surviving in countries where conditions were primitive to say the least, a virtue that helped contribute to its worldwide acceptance. Indeed, it is estimated that two-thirds of all Land Rovers ever produced are still in existence today.

Offered here is a very early Land Rover: the 2,269th production vehicle, manufactured towards the end of 1948 and first registered in January 1949. This Land Rover has the 1,600cc engine and the original type of ring-pull gearbox. It also retains its original chassis and its original Essex registration number. 'OEV 908' has the three-seater hood, which is far less common that the full tilt provided with the majority of Series I Land Rovers. Professionally restored by Land Rover specialists Bush Engineering, the vehicle has hardly been used since the two-year restoration was completed in 2019 and is described as in excellent condition throughout. Finished in light green with matching interior, 'OEV 908' is offered with a V5C registration document.