1955' Land Rover 80" Series One

Land Rover 80” Series One ex Devon & Cornwall club trialler.

I have been with this Land Rover for 23 years ( 8 years of which two other people owned it)

I recently bought it back and had decided to undertake a renovation of it, however my plans have changed.

Firstly you must appreciate that the original conversion of this series one was done when the values were in the hundreds of pounds, not the tens of thousands of today.

The changes to this vehicle are extensive, well engineered and were all done in the day, to serve its intended purpose as a club trials Land Rover.

This Land Rover I consider a work in progress and despite its lack of originality I have been changing parts to make it at least "visually" correct.

In my opinion the time has come for a chassis up rebuild, although it is perfectly drivable and currently road legal. Indeed it is a very easy driving Land Rover the V8 burbling away with so much torque you hardly need to use the gears.

Why a rebuild - because parts of the chassis need work notably the dumb irons (front) and door jambs of the bulkhead which itself requires work.

The Specification :

Power Steering ( using a Rover P5 steering box)

Series II front axle with Santanna disc brake conversion and leather gaitors

QT front diff guard fitted

Rear Series One axle with floating half shaft conversion

Goodridge brake hoses all round

3528cc Rover V8 on recent SU carbs (no choke fitted)

Remote brake servo fitted in passenger under seat storage box

Series IIA gear box (for strength)

Gear box cross members can be unbolted to remove the gearbox from underneath (saving the need to remove the floors)

Range Rover diff in each axle giving ideal ratios for the V8 and no need for an overdrive

5 X LWB (1956 – 68 part no 272309) 5.5 X 16 powder coated steel rims fitted with 235 X 70 X 16 Bridgestone AT new July 2019

Electronic ignition with max spark coil

10 gallon remote rear mounted fuel tank and cover (a requirement for ARC trials)

Remote rear mounted battery (new 2019) and cover (an ARC requirement for trials)

Polybushed parabolic front springs SII

Rear springs S1

Kenlowe electric manually switched cooling fan, belt driven fan removed to stop it spinning water over the engine in deep water

Tow ball / pin and drop hitch with electrics

Battery cut out switch

Front towing hooks

Recent new full tilt and hood sticks Exmoor Trim (July 19)

Recent series one new front seats Exmoor Trim (August 19)

Front grill and both wings (outer and inner) detach as one for very impressive access to the engine and ancillaries

The V5 is in my name and correctly has the V8 3528cc noted. The registration is non transferable.

As a classic vehicle it is MOT and TAX exempt.

The Land Rover is at my work yard in Buckfastleigh Devon TQ11 0NR. Inspection and trial are welcome by appointment.

80" Series One Land Rovers can be purchased from £8000 (rough project) to restored examples at £40000 to £50000 or even £100k + (JLR Classics £150k!!).

Custom rebuilds of classic Land Rovers by the likes of "Cool N Vintage" are currently very fashionable, this would make a perfect vehicle for such a treatment with the end result being even cooler.

Close offers will be seriously considered and the vehicle is advertised elsewhere.