Registration: 791 XWD
Chassis: 36661216
Odometer: 6,000
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt

• Originally supplied to Australia
• Imported into the UK in 2016
• Nova registered
• Matching numbers car
• Requires full restoration
• Supplied with side screens and new steering wheel
• Solid bulkhead, floor pans, rear cross member, and chassis
• Undrilled front wings and no trafficators fitted as per original specification
• Correct date-stamped brass header tank Serck radiator

We are very pleased to offer this very rare and charming Land Rover 80” that has a lovely story to tell. We sold this example a year or so ago to one of lovely customers, Ken, who is a very talented restorer although this was not his business. He was retired but had spent his life in high end engineering in the oil industry and has always been around cars, and especially Land Rovers. He has even written a little about himself and his life in Land Rover, which is included in the history. The original details when we first sold it bear no resemblance to it now, but they are included below for context:

“Offered here is a little 1953 Land Rover 80 Series 1 originally supplied to Australia and imported in the UK in 2016. This Series 1 evidently requires a full restoration both cosmetically and mechanically. The vendor informs us that they have tried to connect a battery to the car, although there was no sign of ignition or power. The engine does turn freely; however, it will evidently require a degree of recommissioning since it hasn’t run for 7 years. The bodywork appears to be largely corrosion free, with the bulkhead, floor pans, rear cross member, and chassis being solid. It is refreshing to see that the front wings are undrilled with no trafficators fitted as per original specification. In honest condition and showing all its battle scars ready to be mechanically recommissioned and ran as it is or to be fully restored. As this Series 1 requires a full restoration it will need a completely new interior and canvas hood. Supplied with Nova documents and photocopies of book detailing original Series 1 chassis numbers and engine numbers.”

Now that you have read that, we now need to tell you how much better it is now!

The Landie has had a full restoration with as many of the original parts kept, but if something needed replacing, it was. When you look at it, you will understand the time and dedication that has gone into it, let alone the money. We have a large collection of receipts and invoices, which are eye watering. It comes with a photo album showing the restoration as it moved along, a heritage certificate detailing that that it was a CKD (complete knock down) that was exported from the UK in component form and assembled in Australia and that it is a 1953 model. We also have a letter from JLR Classic confirming the originality from new, a lot of paperwork from DVLA when it was registered in the UK on 1/7/2024 by Ken, and details from the Land Rover Owner’s Club confirming its existence.

When it was restored and all the new and original parts where assembled back together, Ken even went as far as getting the paint code for it (BS381C-224). How good is that? Certain things had to be replaced, so it has new trim on the seats but as authentic as possible, a new hood and weather gear, all the factory chassis and build plates in the correct places, and even has its Australian number plate with it too. The engine bay is outstanding both in cleanliness and attention to detail, but the best bit of all is that the bodywork is original and polished and unpainted. It looks amazing and was probably just like this when it was new. There are a few little battle scars here and there, but we think it is both entitled and looks fantastic. A word often used is patina, this is much better. When you look at it as it is, with all its restoration including new tyres and the underside being as good as the top side, you will realise that this is maybe the best example around at this current time. Coupled with the huge history file and paperwork, this really is the holy grail of 80” Land Rovers around.