Land Rover Series 1

My most recent landie love dates back to 1952, when land rover created the amazing power machine that is our series 1.

4y ago
19.6K

My love affair with Land Rover continues to grow every day. They trigger new levels of nostalgia for me, taking me back to my Pony Club days, pushing my little fat Welsh Mountain pony into a trailer that is being proudly towed by a black Discovery 3. I truly believe Land Rover produces the greatest 4x4 cars in the world, and have been doing so since the late 40's. 1948, to be exact. But my most recent Landie love dates back to 1952, when Land Rover created the amazing power machine that is our Series 1.

There's a real sense of community amongst Land Rover owners and while we slowly plodded through the Yorkshire countryside in our Series 1, we passed a Land Rover Defender, who flashed their lights and waved at us. I thought 'aw, that's nice', but it wasn't until I glanced at a shop window and saw our reflection as we drove past, that I realised how awesome this must look to other Land Rover fanatics.

The Series 1 is amazing. It's old school... It looks like something you might drive through the African desert in, looking for elephants.


The Series 1 is amazing. It's old school... It looks like something you might drive through the African desert in, looking for elephants. It's big, but not massive. This 1952 Series 1 has the shorter chassis, compared to the later models. It's wheelbase is 80 inches, to be exact. With no windows and just a bench in the back, it's the real deal. Most people would glance twice at a Lamborghini driving past, but only the true enthusiasts stop to appreciate the Series 1, and that is what I like about it. Understated and only appreciated through knowing eyes. Built in 1952 as part of a big military contract, this car spent the first 30 years of its life with the army. So yes, it's totally legit. I find it fascinating, driving a car with real history. Driving Jazzy Jeff (my Honda Jazz) who has 15 years of not-so-historical motorway experience isn't quite the same as an ex military machine with, perhaps, battle experience.

With little doors and no seat belts, the Series 1 has so much charm it's almost romantic. It is authentic and so unmistakably Land Rover. For the Land Rover enthusiasts such as myself, just seeing the original Land Rover badge on the front grille is enough to feel a sense of pride and even patriotism.

To drive, it's obviously difficult. This is no SVAutobiography Range Rover, it is a temperamental, ex-miltary piece of kit with a heavy steering wheel and a difficult driver position. But driving it through the frosty countryside at 7:30 AM felt lovely. Absolutely freezing... but lovely. I am a small person with short legs and my first difficulty with this car was the clutch. In order to fully dip the clutch to engage first gear, I had to slide down the seat a little to be able to put it to the floor. I was about to embark on my first Series 1 adventure, I was about to take over the world in my African Safari vehicle and dominate any terrain in my path... then I stalled it. The acceleration and revs needed to send this car on it's way were more than expected, and the clutch can be lifted almost immediately - no riding it out in this car. Once it gets going the transmission is surprisingly easy. Every time I attempted to change gear I was throwing the lever into place with such force I could feel my dad wincing each time. What did I expect? Old, heavy car means forceful movements to make it happen. Not the case. The gear change needs simply knocking into place with no force behind it at all. Having said that, there wasn't much gear change needed. The Series 1 feels as if it could quite happily sit in second gear to the shops and back. It doesn't beg you to change, it pleasantly chugs along appreciating the countryside.



The Series 1 will hopefully become a family heirloom for us (please Dad). Owning a Land Rover is a bit like having a dog. They begin to feel like a real part of the family. Basically, the Series 1 is like having an old, wise Labrador. Is that a good analogy? Probably not, but you understand what I'm saying.

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Comments (9)

  • Great article and beautiful Landie!

      4 years ago
  • Don't let them change the color! Very classy in green and white.

      4 years ago
  • My Series I is an amazing thing. I restored it myself about 5 years ago, and it is still running strong.

      4 years ago
  • Love the series l

      4 years ago
  • Have to admit that my Eldest, who has now just reached driving age, has already asked if I am leaving her the Landie in my will (thanks darling)...

    ...nice article; glorious phots. Cheers.

      4 years ago
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