Auction house Historics has said that it will be offering a rare two-wheel-drive Land Rover Series I at its Symphony of Spring sale at Ascot Racecourse on 1 March. Offered for the first time in 40 years, it carries an estimate of £13.5-17k.
A Historics spokesperson said: ‘This 1957-manufactured Land Rover has a very interesting history. The British Army ordered 675 two-wheel drive Series Is with the chassis numbers ranging from 1118-00962 to 1118-01911. The chassis number of this car is 1118-00962 making it the first one delivered to the Army, which took place on 12 February 1958.
‘Our vendor has owned this Land Rover since 1982 although the V5 registration document shows a recent change of name within the family. When he purchased the car, he was unaware of the two-wheel-drive nature of the Land Rover and went on a mission to find its heritage.
‘The car failed an MoT a couple of years into his ownership and stored for 30 years. A restoration was then carried out with the vendor not wanting to ‘over restore’ the car. Particular attention was paid to maintaining the Land Rover’s patina, particularly the bodywork.’