1957 Land Rover Series I

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

The Land-Rover Series 1 could be specified with myriad different body styles, but the distinctive ‘trayback’ variant was popular in Australia despite never officially being offered by the factory.

This long-wheelbase 109in Series 1 was exported in Complete Knocked-Down form and a plaque on the bulkhead shows that it was assembled by Pressed Metal Corporation Ltd in Sydney. The ‘trayback’ body was ideal for agricultural use in the vast Australian Outback, and when this Land-Rover was eventually brought back to the UK, it was showing all the signs of a busy life and was in need of a complete rebuild. 

Rural Australia has become a popular source of project Land-Rovers thanks to the arid climate, which usually means they suffer less from corrosion – and that was found to be the case with this Series 1. It had clearly served as a reliable workhorse for many years but was mostly complete, and the chassis and bulkhead were both good enough to be repaired rather than replaced. 

That philosophy was applied throughout the project and meant that the existing front wings, for example, were carefully restored instead of simply buying new ones. The robust four-cylinder engine hadn’t seized and was persuaded to run before being stripped down, fully inspected, and then rebuilt. The wheel hubs were overhauled all round and the axles were rebuilt, as was the suspension and the braking system. 

One section that did need to be replaced was the rear tray. A new platform was fabricated and beautifully fitted out with reclaimed pine that had been treated in order to protect it against rot.

The rebuild formed the basis of a hardback book entitled Land Rover Series 1 Restoration Manual, which guides home restorers through the entire process. Authors Theo Ford-Sagers and Benjamin Stowe wrote: ‘Giving this [Land Rover] a new lease of life has been a hugely satisfying experience, worth the hundreds of hours and thousands of pounds that have been invested in it.’

Once completed, the Land-Rover was UK-registered in August 2021, and since then an interior heater has been added. It’s now being offered for sale as a distinctive, practical Series 1 that’s full of character and which retains a wonderful patina thanks to the sympathetic way in which it was restored.

MODEL HISTORY  

In the aftermath of World War Two, Rover’s chief designer Maurice Wilks hatched a plan to build a vehicle of unmatched ‘go anywhere’ versatility – and in doing so, he laid the basis for a revolutionary vehicle that continues to inspire a growing band of enthusiasts more than 75 years later. 

Launched in 1948, the Land-Rover used an 80in wheelbase and a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which drove through a four-speed gearbox and a two-speed transfer box. Although it featured four-wheel drive, early cars had a freewheel unit that disengaged the front axle from the transmission when coasting. 

The sturdy box-section chassis was made out of steel, but the body panels were aluminium – a decision originally taken because of post-war steel shortages. One of the keys to the Land-Rover’s appeal was its use of Power Take-Off points that enabled owners to run machinery from it, and it was an immediate success both in crucial exports and at home.

The Series 1 was regularly updated, and in 1951 the 1.6-litre engine was enlarged to 2-litres. In subsequent years, more wheelbase options were added – all the way up to the late 109in long-wheelbase model – and from 1957 there was also the option of a diesel engine.

Although the basic outline remained unchanged, there were detail visual changes along the way. There were also different body styles, military orders were soon pouring in, and Land-Rovers were even pressed into service for the royal family – both during official events and for private use.

Production of the ‘Series’ models and the subsequent Defender ran continuously until 2016, by which time just over two million of these remarkable vehicles had been built.