To own and sympathetically restore a early Land Rover was truly on the owners "bucket list" and therefore the list of works is exhaustive and includes remarkably a parts spend of over £30,000 which doesn't take into account any of the professional fees that accumulated over the two year restoration.

I will give you a general overview below but certainly recommend that you come and view this Land Rover.

Starting with the body, both the fish tail chassis and pressed steel bulkhead have been shot blasted, acid primed and painted without visible signs of repair. The insides have been treated and wax oiled and clearly bear the clearly identifiable factory stamped chassis number.

Turning to the mechanicals, the 1600cc side valve square sump engine is in excellent condition having been stripped, checked and fully rebuilt. The same can be said for the early ring-pull gear box which is complete with a working P.T.O and hand throttle. A new clutch system has also been fitted along with the water pump plus associated hoses have been replaced. To complete the period look engine bay, a 1949 dated radiator is also in situ.

On the transmission front, the long nosed diffs and axles have been fully overhauled and are on new narrow 1 ½ “ springs, with new shock absorbers and fittings. The braking system has been completely renewed with the correct ¼ " bore copper pipework with cast iron cylinders. The steering has been rebuilt and the cast steering box reconditioned. Steering is through a rare 2 flat spoke steering wheel restored by Charlesworth Mouldings.

Electrics have been fully replaced using a correct cloth braided loom from Autosparks. The dated dynamo has been restored whilst the fuel pump, coil, regulator and fuse box have all been renewed. All of the correct lights are fitted and working. The instrument panel is as original and complete with its early 20/20 amp and red light up oil light.

Interior-wise, the recovered spade back seats and new foot-well and load mats have been supplied by Exmoor Trim. To help with both longevity and for originality sake, the vehicle has been rebuilt using all new "sheradised" fixings, supplied by L R Fasteners.

There was personal preference for a period 3 man hood rather than a full canvas type....again essential detailing prevails as the correct flat top hood sticks are in use here, and a further plus is that it comes complete with as new full canvas hood and a spare set of hood sticks. The door top are again original but have been complete overhauled and it was never his intention to fit these items, but simply drive in an open sided fashion. These are easily fixed on with just two bolts.

Its original bodywork is exceptional and has been professionally finished in the correct Bronze Green paint supplied by WW Spares and retains the early bolted wings, wide transom tub and flush doors without external handles or later factory fitted door corner gussets or seals.

This represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire and become the custodian of a lovely 1949 early Series 1 80" Land Rover in incredible restored condition that now has decades of faithful service to be enjoyed.

It would be a pleasure to answer any further questions you might have. The Land Rover can be inspected at my Guildford showroom – do please call me directly on +44(0)7788 865700

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