Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 24407354A
With its introduction in 1948, the original "series" Land Rovers
truly defined a previously unaddressed segment of the market,
particularly in post-war Britain, where the manufacture of further
Rover luxury cars was unlikely to be successful. Although there may
have been war-era Jeep inspiration to its genesis, this was the
world's first mass-produced four-wheel drive car with doors and an
available hardtop. While it was intended for farming and
agricultural use, its myriad applications around Britain and the
Commonwealth gave it a "go-anywhere" and "do-anything" reputation
that became synonymous with Britishness. In fact, Queen Elizabeth
II herself was known to drive Land Rovers on multiple occasions,
and so whether it was at a polo match, an African safari, or even a
humanitarian mission, "series" Land Rovers were not just the
playthings of the landed gentry, but also truly purpose-built
utilitarian transport.
The Series IIA, of which the car offered here is a particularly
exciting example, is perhaps among the most iconic and desirable,
benefiting from the second series' most notable improvements,
namely the "barrel-side" design treatment. This not only covered
the car's wider track but also gave the Land Rover its first proper
influence from Rover's styling department. The Series IIA also had
minor design improvements over the Series II, a new 2.25-liter
diesel engine became available and with production escalating
enormously and the car being featured in numerous on-screen
appearances, it is widely considered the quintessential Land
Rover.
The example presented here is a short wheelbase Series IIA, offered
on behalf of a highly respected California-based collection. While
it appears entirely factory-correct front to back, the car was
actually heavily modified during a full restoration that was
completed in mid-2021 by a specialist shop in Southern California.
The stout but comparatively underpowered Land Rover engine was
replaced by a 360-horsepower, 6.0-liter Chevrolet L96 V8 with 380
lb-ft of torque. The chassis was fully galvanized, as evidenced by
the spotless undercarriage photographs. Mechanical improvements
included multiple modern upgrades sourced from the Defender 90,
including axles, a five-speed transmission, a transfer case, power
steering, and power brakes. A VintageAir air conditioning system
was also discreetly installed, as was a sophisticated JBL sound
system with Bluetooth compatibility. The exterior, engine bay, and
interior all present extremely well, highly indicative of
professional workmanship and attention to detail. The custom
faux-elephant hide interior covering is one particularly stunning
touch.
With its superb restoration, perhaps it's unlikely this Land Rover
will be venturing much farther beyond the concrete jungle, but with
its modern mechanicals and powerful Chevrolet V8, an adventurous
new owner should rest assured that he's unlikely to get stuck in
the dirt at the family farm or in the sand on a Nantucket
beach!
