Rover chief engineer Maurice Wilks was inspired by his army-surplus Willys-Overland Jeep to create a workhorse vehicle for military and agricultural use - and for export abroad to kick-start both Rover's fortunes and the national economy after World War II. Prototypes were up and running by late 1947, and production of the Series I began at Solihull in summer 1948. It had permanent four-wheel-drive with low-ratio gearing and a locking freewheel mechanism, and a 50bhp, 1.6-litre engine from the Rover P3 saloon. It was fitted with lightweight body panels made from surplus aircraft-grade aluminium - steel was in short supply post-war - and came with army-surplus green paint. The Land Rover price started from just £450. Supply to the British forces started in 1949, the Land Rover replacing the Austin Champ and later, the rust-prone Austin Gipsy. Deliveries to organisations such as the Red Cross soon followed. The 100,000th Land Rover was made in autumn 1954 and by 1958, production ran to around 200,000.
In Bronze Green this 88 inch Land Rover was one of the most popular colour schemes. The canvas however would fade over time, so the colours of these would vary considerably. They say no two surviving Land Rover Series I's are the same, each having their own identity. Registered HJD 202, the model is rounded off with bright chrome work to door hinges and handles, window surrounds and lights. It is the ideal vehicle to be driving in all this current UK wet and muddy weather!
Dimensions and Weights
Packed: 13.7cm x 8.1cm x 8.1cm ( L x W x H )
Unpacked: 8.1cm x 3.7cm x 4.5cm ( L x W x H )
Excludes shipping cartonScale
Scale
1:43 scale means that this is 43 times smaller than the full sized vehicle(s)
For a much more detailed explanation of scale and the history please follow .