1956 Land Rover Series I 86"

As an engineering marvel, the Land Rover can still outstrip its modern counterparts and the Series I rightly belongs in the Motoring Hall of Fame. Hugely successful globally, improvements were made throughout its long lifespan. In 1950, the lights were moved from a position behind the grille to protrude through the mesh and in 1952 a larger 2-litre petrol engine replaced the original 1.6-litre. The wheelbase was extended to 86" in 1955 to give the vehicle more stability and greater load capacity and the stronger, more reliable 2-litre petrol engine was standard until 1957.

Over the years, here at Iconic Auctioneers, in conjunction with Classic Car Auctions, we have been pleased to offer over 150 Land Rovers, including a good number of early vehicles, but it's a long time (if ever) since we have seen such an impressively restored example as the 1956 Series I on offer today.

Acquired from friends, where it had been languishing on their farm for almost 40 years, our vendors set about creating, quite simply, the very best Series I that they could and since the completion of its meticulous restoration, it has won award after award, show upon show. The full list of work carried out is too long to detail here but, in addition to an engine rebuild at a cost of £6,670 by Cox and Turner, the Landy has been fully restored cosmetically, with a new tub seats, new tilt and canvas roof and sundries galore removed, restored, or if beyond repair then replaced with the very best options available.

Our meticulous vendor has kept a list of the costs involved in the restoration and when we say a list, it is unlike anything we have ever seen before. Laid out on an Excel spreadsheet, it runs to 286 lines and totals £32,960.90 including dozens of entries for less than £10, every nut, bolt, grommet and bracket is listed and costed. Uniquely, there are 31 'credit' entries relating to surplus, replaced, items sold and totalling £1,236.52 so the real cost of the restoration was £34,197.42.

We have to draw the conclusion that anyone so incredibly fastidious as to list and cost everything in detail would be equally fastidious about the quality of work during the car’s restoration. A glance at our images and ideally the car itself will confirm that this Series I is undoubtedly better today than when it left the factory almost 70 years ago.

It's believed that our clients are only its second keepers, so this is put simply a ‘one former keeper’ car and we invite and encourage your close inspection of this remarkable Land Rover.