Lot 236 - 1956 Land Rover Series 1 Pick-up (107")

In the aftermath of the second world war, Rover's chief engineer Maurice Wilks used a ‘demobbed' Willys Jeep around his farm in Anglesey and was impressed with its abilities. Eventually, it wore out and he was keen to replace it with a British vehicle, however, nothing remotely similar was available. Coincidentally, his brother Spencer, who was Managing Director at Rover, had reached the same conclusion as he struggled to get his Rover 10 to reach the more inaccessible parts of his estate on Islay. This is where `The Best 4x4 by Far' started - a utility vehicle devised in 1947, they would have no idea that Maurice's resulting design would become an icon and launch a whole new industry sector. The vehicle appeared as the 'Land Rover' in 1948 and proved so popular with the military and the farming fraternity that demand massively outstripped supply.

This Series I Land Rover was sent to Australia from the factory in bits and assembled there, this was quite common in the 1950’s and these cars called CKD vehicles (Completely Knocked Down), it was a way that cars can be imported into a country at a reduced import tax. This Land Rover pick-up was the subject to a ground up restoration in Australia in 2010/11 which was documented in one of two notebooks, the second book records the trips and mileage of the Land Rover since the restoration. Part of a small collection of Series I Land Rovers the owner, a medical doctor, main interest was the restoration to a very high standard of these cars which he did himself. Finished in Dove Grey with blue seats and blue wheels this pick-up is supplied with UK registration and is ready to be used and enjoyed.