eBay Find: 1949 Land Rover Series I
1949 Land Rover Series I
The off-roader that launched it all started in 1948 in a post-war era was introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show and simply dubbed Land Rover. Later termed the Series I could be considered war-ready though officially Land Rover Series I was designed to be used on farms and light industrial work sites. It featured an aluminum body wrapped around a steel box section chassis, a drivetrain consisting of nearly 50HP four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed and the earliest predecessor of a full-time four-wheel-drive system. Soon after it’s release the public wanted more than spartan industrial interior’s so for the second model year a coachbuilder familiar with Rolls-Royce and Lagonda’s was contracted with increasing the truck’s popularity among common folk.
Today’s eBay find is a 1949 Land Rover Series I formally belonging to a “war department.” This fine example of British engineering completed a frame-off restoration in the late 90′s near Birmingham, England and has won many awards to attest to the quality of the restoration job. Parts replaced include the seats, canvas parts, fuel tank and pump, the steel frame was galvanized, rebuilt engine and the wiring harness replaced and wrapped in period-correct cloth flek wrapping.
Each body panel was repainted the original color, a beautiful army green that really mimics British racing green. Located in Houston, Texas and listed with an opening bid of $18,500 but considering, based on reported mileage, its completed less than 100 miles a year since it rolled off the factory line this 1949 Land Rover Series I may be your best chance to own a fine piece of post-war Britain.
[wordbay]land rover series[/wordbay]
Tags: 1940's, 4WD, British, Convertible, European, green, Land Rover, restored, SUV
