1957 Land Rover Series I 107 Inch Station Wagon

The original Land Rover with its 80-inch chassis was a roaring success, as we all know. Demand from landowners, adventurers and the armed forces of the world grew however for a capable off-roader with seating for more than six. This demand in 1956 saw the introduction of the first five-door model, on the 107-inch chassis known as the "Station Wagon" with seating for up to ten people. The 86-inch model was a three-door, seven-seater. The new station wagons were very different from the previous Tickford model, being built with simple metal panels and bolt-together construction instead of the complex wooden structure of the older Station Wagon. Like the Tickford version, they came with basic interior trim and equipment such as roof vents and interior lights.

By the time this model was ready for production in 1956, the basic 107 inch chassis was about to be superseded by the 109-inch version. The '107 inch Station Wagon' was announced with that name in June 1956, just three months before the other 107s were replaced. It remained available throughout the period when the other long-wheelbase Land Rovers had a 109-inch wheelbase but was latterly renamed the Long Station Wagon. Although other 109 inch examples were replaced by Series II models in spring 1958, the 107 inch Station Wagon carried on until the autumn, when it too was finally replaced by the Series II model. There were just 7,000 examples of the 107 inch Station Wagon, all with the 2-litre petrol engine. Only 239 were built for the Home market, and of those, about 15 were specially bodied by Bonallack as RAF mountain rescue ambulances. Paintwork was grey or blue, but beige was also available for export and other colours were available to special order.

The Station Wagons saw the first proper expansion of the Land Rover range and they were fitted with a "Safari Roof" which consisted of a second roof skin fitted on top of the vehicle. This kept the interior cool in hot weather and reduced condensation in cold weather. Vents fitted in the roof allowed added ventilation to the interior. While they were based on the same chassis and drivetrains as the standard vehicles, Station Wagons carried different chassis numbers, special badging, and were advertised in separate brochures. Unlike the original Station Wagon, the new in-house versions were highly popular and cemented Land Rover's reputation. It can be said that it was the Land Rover Station Wagon that transversed the globe reaching parts that no other car had done so in the past. Simply put, the Station Wagon could carry more support crew and supplies than the earlier, shorter wheelbase Land Rover, and could therefore travel further. It was in a 1956 107 inch Station Wagon that the Leyland brothers, Mike and Mal, successfully crossed Australia from West to East by car for the first time ever, their crossing was filmed as a documentary and became a national focus point, as important to Australians as the moon landings to the Americans. The Land Rover used in the expedition is now in the care of the National Motor Museum, donated by the Leyland brothers.

This beautifully restored 1957 example, has the distinction of being an extremely rare variant of the 107 inch Station Wagon, one of the 239 built for the home market. Restored over a new chassis supplied by the Series 1 Club, the interior is in very good condition but would benefit from a new headlining, and the period correct 2-litre petrol engine runs well. The restoration has been completed with an eye to originality and although the aluminium bodywork, finished in the correct shade of blue, is not as perfect as it left the factory, it in no way detracts from the overall appearance. The odometer reads 67,068 miles. A Heritage Certificate has been applied for, and the regretful sale of the car is the result of our vendor downsizing his large Land Rover collection due to his advancing years.