Land Rover Series 1 80" 1949 Ken Wheelwright Restoration FOR SALE!

Land Rover Series 1 80" Ken Wheelwright Restoration £60,000 Series 1 80" 1949 Model Year & Bronze Green Vehicle We are happy to have on offer a genuine 1949 8666*** vehicle. The vehicle has only covered 29 miles since restoration, so an unused example. We have recently gone through the vehicle with some minor recommissioning the vehicle is now ready to use. This is a bronze green example and still has all its original running gear, matching number engine, gearbox and axles. To find a vehicle that is 76 years old and retains all its original running gear is outstanding let alone to be restored to such a high standard. Direct from the late Ken Wheelwright, the master restorer who has been restoring Land Rovers for more than 30 years. This vehicle has been in a large Land Rover collection and has not been used. So it exactly as it was when it was finished by Ken. When Maurice Wilks, Rover's chief designer, came up with a plan to produce a light agricultural utility vehicle in 1947 he would have no idea that his design would become an icon and launch a whole new industry sector. The original Land Rover was presented in sage green with a canvas roof and revolutionised rural transport. As an engineering marvel it can still outstrip its modern counterparts, and the Series I rightly belongs in the Motoring Hall of Fame. Hugely successful globally, improvements were made throughout the production run. One man who has come to be known as the world's leading authority on early Land Rovers, and indeed the go-to restorer for leading collectors and Land Rover themselves, is Ken Wheelwright. Working from his Yorkshire farm, Ken's restorations include three early pre-production prototype Land Rovers, two Tickford Station Wagons, the first Automobile Association restored 80 inch now on display at the Coventry Motor Museum and a Tickford Land Rover for the British Heritage Motor Museum. Four other vehicles are in a German museum collection, along with an exact replica of a Land Rover factory Transporter which took two years to build from archive pictures only. The most notable of Ken's achievements came when he was chosen as one of Jaguar Land Rover's preferred restorers, having supplied them with two Series I Land Rovers in dark bronze green that have featured on television programmes worldwide. As a testament to his unsurpassable reputation Ken was commissioned by Land Rover to restore a Series IIA Land Rover which had been owned by the Wilks' family and was presented to the founder on his retirement from the Rover Company in 1965. This vehicle now forms part of Land Rover's own heritage collection, joining Ken's other restored Land Rovers. As befits the work of a no nonsense Yorkshireman we will end the superlatives here and move on to the Land Rover itself. When Ken took ownership of the Land Rover he undertook a full nut and bolt restoration, so comprehensive that it would require a full page to list everything that was done. A brief summary includes the original chassis, painted in the correct age matching bronze green and most original components reconditioned the vehicle sits on Avon Traction Mileage Tyres unfortunaty the sought after Dunlop T28 Trakgrip Tyres as used on many previous restorations are no longer available. When some parts were found to be beyond repair, original Land Rover new-old stock components were used. The engine, gearbox, axles etc were completely rebuilt at the same time and this vehicle really does tick over like a watch and pulls with plenty of power. This is a full nut and bolt restoration and not one to be confused with a cosmetic restoration. In addition a new wiring loom, brake and clutch components were fitted as was a new canvas roof. This vehicle really has to be viewed to be appreciated as it really is stunning the attention to detail is excellent. Opportunities to purchase such a highly restored vehicle don't often come up so please don't miss this one. Any enquires please do not hesitate to contact Miles on 078255 87155 or 01745 798681.