Was at the Long Itchington Beer Festival yesterday, and spotted this beauty:



It was built in 1954, and the current owner bought it off the guy who restored that Series 1 on For the love of Cars last Sunday on Channel 4.

It was in incredible nick, and all original/solid....proper lovely! The beer(s) we're pretty nice too


 Foraging near Gaydon....
——————————————
MY13 HSE Lux SD4, Baltic Blue - current, 30,000> miles without fault
MY12 HSE 2.2 SD4, Sumatra Black - gone after 10 months/43,000 fault-free miles

The series one looks great, don't see many about.

Ive just noticed on the photo that the front bumper has a hole in the center of it that corresponds with a larger hole in the body behind the bumper. I was just wondering if the early models could be started by a cranking handle?? Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

No idea, but this afternoon, just like London buses, another one turned up (albeit a year younger, 1955). This particular one was up for sale at £3500, and if I didn't need to buy a new Boiler in a fortnight, I would have bitten his hand off for it! Note that this one also has same hole mentioned earlier, albeit fully electronic ignition and 3.5 Rover Petrol engine fitted! Be interesting to see what tomorrow brings I guess....


 Foraging near Gaydon....
——————————————
MY13 HSE Lux SD4, Baltic Blue - current, 30,000> miles without fault
MY12 HSE 2.2 SD4, Sumatra Black - gone after 10 months/43,000 fault-free miles

Mine is a 1953 model and they all had the starter hole and handle. Here she is in France where we have loads of off road lanes that you can drive all day with out hindrance apart from the farmers wanting to stop and chat.

On a lane near me



..and the small river about 200 yards from my house...



A great fun truck!

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

yes its a cranking handle, this stayed on LR's for years even I drove ones with that cranking feature. but never used it At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Love it JST......I have the space for one, but Mrs. badger refuses to allow additional Landy's in the garage until further notice. Which is a pain in the arm. Still, additional ageing may yet mellow her....(at least, that's what I'm hoping!) Foraging near Gaydon....
——————————————
MY13 HSE Lux SD4, Baltic Blue - current, 30,000> miles without fault
MY12 HSE 2.2 SD4, Sumatra Black - gone after 10 months/43,000 fault-free miles

Badger, tell her it is not a Landy but a sound financial investment! I paid about £1000 for mine - worth a lot more than that now!  John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

I work near the Huddersfield Land Rover Center

http://www.landrovercentre.com/

They restore old Landy and have quite a few for sale. I had a quick look around last year and I was impressed. Ive always fancied an old Landy.

Are they reliable? I know they are old but they seem to be built to last. Can they be used as a local run-around or is it a case of take it for a spin now and again then tinker a little bit with it?? Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Never been able to figure out where he gets his prices from. FL2 SD4 Metropolis Auto Santorini Black / ivory completely stock.

It's true that light travels faster than sound, some people look quite intelligent until you hear them speak.


Stop global winging.

I thought the prices seemed high, seen a few restored ones on auto trader for 2-4 grand. I like the idea of getting one but I've no garage and the wife wouldn't like it on the drive. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

I used to use mine as a local runaround, taking stuff to the tip etc. but now it is just my toy I use to do a bit of laning.

Prices depend on two things - condition, but more importantly - originality. A restored Series One with a V8 motor etc. is very nice but not as valuable as it would be with the original motor etc. Because mine is totally original and in good nick I guess it is worth in excess of £5k. John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

They had the starting handle right up to Series III and possibly beyond. Useful when your battery is 9 years old (mine was, but as it always started instantly I hardly ever had to use it). Main use was for turning over the petrol engine to do the ignition timing. Diesels had them too, but you have to be really careful -the kick could break your arm. Ex AA Series III LWB Safari - Gone
300TDi Disco (bought new - terrible car) sent back after 18 months
Freelander 1 Estate - leased, given back at end of lease
200TDi Disco (bought from a mate with 100,000 on the clock) - Gone
Disco 2 TD5 - sold and exported to France
FR2 TD4 GS - Gone
FR2 SD4 HSE - Now changed for a DS
New model ex-demo Evoque S 180 in white
Unable to order a new DS, so gave up. Now have a Volvo S90 Recharge.

The starting handle arrangement had a lot of other uses. One was the front mounted capstan winch that was crankshaft driven via a dog clutch. Also, one could remove the plugs, put into gear and wind the vehicle very slowly out of a bog where engine power would just spin wheels. Everyone can spread it - Anyone can catch it. Stay home - the life you save can be your own!