From the era of the Jaguar D-type and Aston Martin DB3S, when Austin A35s, Wolesley 15/50s and Triumph TR3s buzzed along the highways and byways of the country, here is a delightful 1956 Land Rover Series 1. Full of character and with just the ‘right’ patina, but mechanically sorted with everything working. A very solid truck that seems to be on its original chassis and bulkhead – a true survivor!
Supplied new in December 1956 by Glover’s of Harrogate in ‘Basic’ configuration, and now nearly 70 years later not much has changed. There is actually a Smith’s heater – with extra dashboard windscreen de-mister vents, and a super hard top with ‘cat flap’ hatch and tailgate, predating the famous Range Rover set up by about 2 decades.
There is an enduring charm about these things, one can’t help wondering what stories they could tell.
With bench seating in the rear and a hardtop this is a Land Rover you can have some fun in without worrying about the weather.
Over time owners have carried out their own improvements which make it such a useable wagon today.
In the mists of time a popular upgrade was to get more power by installing the head (or in this case the full engine) from a Rover 60 P4 ‘Auntie’ saloon car. This is actually exactly the same 2.0-litre (1997cc) Inlet-Over-Exhaust (IOE) 4-cylinder block that Land Rover used in the Series 1 from 1952 to 1958. However, because it was built for the refined Rover P4 saloon car, Rover gave it a more efficient induction setup with a single SU H6 carburettor instead of the standard more agricultural Land Rover Solex. Whereas the standard engine chugged out 52 horsepower, the ’60’ developed just that, a heady 60 horsepower – 14% more grunt.
And there are now the very smart Lucas ‘tripod’ headlights that you would have had on your Jaguar XK120 back when this LandRover was new.
At some stage Avon Rangemaster tyres have been specified, on slightly wider (by 1/2″) wheels. This adds about 3″ to the wheel diameter, and gives a more imposing stance, as well as improving off road capability. This has been dome properly with the speedometer/odometer unit upgraded so that both read correctly. Sensibly a steering damper from a later Series iteration has also been fitted, which greatly improves road manners.
Currently being prepared for sale, an absolute gem.