Lot 480: 1953 Land Rover Series I

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 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, sidevalve engine - kept production costs down and cut development time. 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. Progressively developed since its launch in 1948 and modified to serve countless specialist requirements, the ubiquitous Land Rover looks set to continue well into the 21st Century. This Series I has the 1,997cc engine introduced in 1952. Acquired in 1998, the vehicle was MoT’d and running at that time but since then has not been used. Sold strictly as viewed, it is offered with Swansea V5. No reserve.