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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars & Automobilia – Featuring the Ferguson Collection of Motorsport Posters
• Sale Date:
  10 Dec 2017 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  50
• Lot Description:
  1955 Land Rover Series 1
  Chassis No: 177600278; Engine No: 57102525. There is NO RESERVE.
• Notes:
  The Rover Company developed the Land Rover in 1947 during the aftermath of World War 2. Rover had produced luxury cars but in the immediate post-war period raw materials were strictly rationed for construction or industrial equipment. Rover’s chief designer, Maurice Wilks, devised a plan to produce a light agricultural and utility vehicle, similar in concept to the Willys Jeep. The Land Rover was designed for a short production run to gain some much-needed cash flow, however the off-road Land Rover “Series” vehicles developed into its own brand with enduring success becoming a highly admired and desired collector’s vehicle.The vehicle’s minimalist features were a consequence of Rover’s intention to simplify tooling and to use the minimum amount of materials. The Series 1 entered production in 1948 and launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show. Originally the Land Rover was a single model offering, which from 1948 until 1951 used an 80-inch (2,000 mm) wheelbase and a 1.6-litre engine and the 4-speed gearbox from the Rover P3. This incorporated the unusual four-wheel-drive system. During 1950, this semi-permanent 4WD system was replaced with a more conventional setup, with drive to the front axle being taken through a simple dog clutch. In 1952 and 1953, a larger 2-litre engine was fitted. The 1954 model year brought further changes. The 80” (2,000 mm) wheelbase model was replaced with an 86” (2,200 mm) wheelbase and a 107” (2,700 mm) version. In mid-1954, the “spread bore” engine was introduced from engines numbered 5710xxxx, allowing better cooling between the cylinders. The engine was modified again later in 1955 from engines numbered 1706xxxxx, referred to as the ‘later’ spread bore. This 2-litre, 4-speed example on offer at auction carries the 86” SWB chassis fitted with the hardtop. The car was purchased by its current owner in 2008 and has undergone a complete strip down and rebuild from October 2014 and completed in March 2015. This work included the chassis and bulkhead repaired as necessary and with the wheels shot blasted and painted; all new wheel cylinders; flexible brake piping; new brake shoes for the front axle and the master cylinder re-sleeved; new handbrake shoes; the gearbox rear seal and all new shock absorbers and rear check straps were fitted; a new clutch plate; new water pump, fuel pump; starter motor and the carburettor over-hauled and new engine and gearbox mounts have been fitted. Other works include new reproduction wiring harness; dynamo; regulator; wipers; indicators and headlight assemblies. A full bare metal rub back has been attended to on all panels and although the car shows its scars no fillers were used during the process. The old wooden shooting hatch in the roof has been replaced with a smoked glass fixed panel. The vehicle is wired positive earth with the new wipers wired negative earth which brings them in to effective working order. All body rubbers have been renewed and the interior has been refurbished with remanufactured seat squabs and reupholstered seat backs. This Land Rover Series I offered at no reserve provides an excellent opportunity to acquire an iconic, classic period off-road vehicle for summer use for the family beachside holidays or for off road escapades and farm use. This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$15,000 - 20,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.