1949 Land Rover Series I 80 - Lights Behind the Grille

This lights behind the grille Land Rover was originally distributed by the Ministry of Supply, the body responsible for providing the British Armed Forces with equipment. In April 1961, the Land Rover was demobbed, registered for private use and issued a V5. Our Land Rover has, for the last 15 years, been held in a large commercial vehicle collection in North Yorkshire.

This lovely old ‘Landy’ has all the hallmarks of an older restoration. It has nicely aged so has the appearance of a remarkably honest, original looking example. The body and paintwork have nicely aged, the vehicle is structurally sound throughout and inside the cabin, function takes president over glamour. Minimal switch gear and gauges allow for easy internal washing and created a tough, simple, and timeless interior. Mechanically, this 1949 models runs the original 1. 6-litre, inline four-cylinder petrol engine which performs very well.

Maurice Wilks, the chief designer (and later chairman) of the Rover Company, was using a surplus American Willys Jeep for work on his farm. Frustrated by its reliability but inspired by its capability, Wilks envisioned a better British alternative. By mid-1947, a prototype known as the "Centre Steer" was built using Jeep chassis components. Development moved quickly, and the production-ready vehicle debuted as the Land Rover Series I at the Amsterdam Motor Show on April 30, 1948. The vehicle quickly proved its worth beyond farms and became synonymous with exploration and reliability. From a beach sketch to millions produced worldwide, the Land Rover story embodies resilience, innovation, and the spirit of adventure.

50 LOD is a true testament to the Land Rover story, and having will be fully serviced and prepared in our workshops, including a new set of tyres.