1951 Land Rover Series I 80''

Remarks

Series 1 80" Land Rover, first registered in Reading in December 1951. Restored around 2005 in the guise of a 1950s military Land Rover appropriate for a regiment in Malta, when the vehicle colour was changed from green to desert sand. Modifications made at the time the vehicle was restored in the guise of a military vehicle include replacing all the wheels with military split rims, including the two spare wheels. The head lamps were changed to the military type and a rear military tow hitch was fitted. The tyres fitted to the vehicle (excluding the two spares) are 6.00 x 16 Avon Traction Mileage, as fitted originally to Series 1s. Accessories include a 1952 MOD jerry can and 1952 military water container and army knapsack that serves as a glovebox. The perspex side screens, which are looking old and the tear in the rear hood window.

Remarks

The odometer is reading is 6,100. I do not know whether the speedometer is a replacement or if the clock has gone past 100,000.

Remarks

The engine and gearbox are correct for this model of Land Rover. The 2 litre overhead inlet side exhaust Rover engine starts easily and pulls well for a Series 1. The gearbox, four wheel drive transmission and low ratio/high ratio all work correctly. Another modification is to the engine oil filter. The original oil filters are unobtainable. The solution is a modification that looks like the original filter but allows a modern spin on filter to be fitted. This was sourced from Land Rover Series One Club.

Remarks

Typical of Series 1 Land Rovers, this vehicle has a somewhat noisy gearbox, the engine uses oil and the steering is a bit vague.

Remarks

This is a solid, reliable Land Rover with no major issues. The chassis and bulkhead are in good condition with no welding required. The chassis is painted in desert sand colour and treated with an anti corrosion treatment. The aluminium body panels are fairly straight, but not perfect. The canvas hood, whilst serviceable, has a tear in the top as well as in the rear window. All the seats have been upholstered in cream canvas appropriate for the military specification.

Remarks

The electrics are all working with the correct instrument panel. The vehicle was originally supplied without indicators, a subsequent modifcation “¡was a steering column mounted switch that flashes the side lights and brake lights. The fuel pump was replaced in 2024. Some of the wiring appears to be original. The fuel gauge works in a fashion, it shows empty when the level drops below 2 gallons and full when there is more than 2 gallons. An oil pressure gauge and water temperature gauge has been fitted.

Remarks

This is a Land Rover that can be used and enjoyed. The current owner has driven it to club rallies on the South Coast, the Midlands and Anglesey. In a line up of green series 1 Land Rovers this one will stand out. I have a copy of the DVLA vehicle record which shows the names and addresses of all previous owners. The first owner lived in Mortimer Reading and kept the vehicle for 32 years. Included in the sale is a bottle jack, a starting handle and a desert sand toolbox with some spares and whitworth spanners.