"The Land Rover Series I is an iconic off-road vehicle that was first introduced in 1948. It was designed by Maurice Wilks, the chief designer of the Rover car company, who was inspired by the World War II Willys Jeep. The Series I was built with simplicity and functionality in mind, which made it a reliable and versatile workhorse in rural areas and on rough terrain.
The Land Rover Series I was available in three body styles: a soft top, a hardtop, and a pick-up truck. It was powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine which produced 50 horsepower, which may not sound like much by today's standards, but it was more than enough to get the Series I through tough terrain.
The Series I was not only popular in rural areas but also gained popularity in the military and among explorers. Its ruggedness, durability, and off-road capabilities made it the perfect vehicle for expeditions to remote areas. Today, the Land Rover Series I is a collector's item, and enthusiasts continue to appreciate its unique design and impressive capabilities.
This particular example is an early ‘lights behind grille’ example and is presented in the lesser seen hue of Sage Green. Sage Green was the standard colour for early Land Rover’s, until the first military orders came in late 1949, which meant the standard colour became the far more commonly seen Bronze Green. This example was built on 11th May 1949 and was shipped to Champion Motorcars, Adelaide, Australia. It then spent the vast majority of its life in the wonderful dry climate of Coober Pedy, Southern Australia, known for its opal mining, which would have no doubt meant the chassis and body remained in fantastic condition.
A full restoration took place in 2018 and has been completed to an exceedingly high standard in Australia. This Land Rover could easily pass as a two or three year old car, it doesn’t look at all like the 74 year old vehicle it is. The brakes have recently been overhauled and this Series I is ready to take on the show scene this summer."