LAND ROVER REGISTER 1948-53

IN THE BEGINNING

Founded by Tony Hutchings in 1974 in order to discover the whereabouts of the 48 Pre-Production prototype models, the Land-Rover Register now caters for all models produced between 1948 and 1953, i.e. all 80" wheelbase vehicles, fitted with the Rover inlet over exhaust P3 engine (and 81" Rolls B40 engined prototypes).

Built for export, it took little time for the Land-Rover to establish itself not just as Britain's but 'The World's Most Versatile Vehicle', as its reputation for rugged reliability and longevity rapidly spread to the far flung corners of Britain's Empire and beyond. But the early 1595cc model, which lay the foundation for the Land-Rover's long term future as a reliable off-road workhorse, was only to remain in production for a comparatively short time - just three years in fact. Never the less, more changes were introduced to this model than any other since, bringing an amazing amount of variety to the Land-Rovers of this short period.

The arrival of the bored out 1997cc engined version for the 1952 model year was a vast improvement in terms of engine power and usability but not many major changes were made pending the arrival of the 86" model for the 1954 production year.

Not only were changes made to the basic model, but also various special models began to appear soon after the vehicle's launch. These include a coach built 'Station Wagon' with body work by Tickford, a 'Welder' kitted out with a Lincoln Electric 'Shield Arc Junior', a Bullows 'Compressor' model, a 'Crop Sprayer' from Dorman-Simplex and a 'Fire Engine'. A number of optional extras also appeared, among them such things as; an engine governor; oil cooler; power take off equipment with optional drum pulley; front and rear capstan winches; Pegson pump and a 15cwt Land-Rover trailer from J.Brockhouse and Co.

Despite its basic concept as an agricultural vehicle specifically designed for export, the early Land-Rover soon found its way into more dignified surroundings, very early examples going to such eminent people as King George VI, Churchill’s son-in-law Captain Soames and H.R.H. The Prince Regent of Iraq.It was during this early period the 1.6 litre model became firmly established with the British Army.

After examining two Pre-Production models an initial order for twenty Land-Rovers was delivered to the Army on 16th December 1948, but by June 1949, one in four Land-Rovers leaving the factory was on its way to the Ministry of Supply to meet an order for 1878 vehicles. This immediately resulted in a colour change to all basic models from the original 'Cockpit' Light Green to the now familiar gloss 'Deep Bronze Green', the colour of all W.D. vehicles serving on home territory. At that time, apart from the loss of the integral rear draw bar, Ministry Land-Rovers were identical to civilian models, but in early 1950, at the request of the War Office, 33 Ministry Land-Rovers had their 1595cc engines removed by Hudson Motors Ltd. and replaced by 2.8 litre Rolls Royce B40 engines. They were to be the first of along line of military specials.

Today, the 1.6 litre models particularly, along with their factory accessories, have become collectors items and good examples are to be found in several of the country's leading museums, including; the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu; the British Motor Heritage Trust Collection at Gaydon; the Patrick Collection at Birmingham and the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.

OUT AND ABOUT

The Land-Rover Register not only continues the task of tracking down Pre-Production models (the remains of L26 being 'found' only in 1995) but is equally enthusiastic about the authentic restoration of any 80" models and also encourages their continued use today, particularly for overseas adventures, something for which the Land-Rover is ideally suited having been specifically designed for use in far distant lands (over 75% of factory output went abroad).

On 26th October 1988, as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations and sponsored by Land-Rover Ltd., our Newsletter Editor, John Smith, set off on a grand tour of Europe in his 1948 Pre-Production Land-Rover L11, the factory's first recorded show model. They crossed the Arctic Circle in temperatures below -20^o C before turning east to Moscow via Helsinki and Leningrad, and then on through Romania and Bulgaria to Istanbul. The return journey took them up the winding Adriatic coast road of (what was) Yugoslavia and over the Alps, making a total distance of almost 10,000 miles, most of which was on snow covered roads.

Even more recently, in the summer of 1995 (the Norwegian Clubs 20th Anniversary), a number of Register members took their early Land-Rovers on a tour of Scandinavia. Ken Wheelwright, our Chairman, took three vehicles in fact - a 1948 and two 1949 models - just for the occasion! Also in 1990 our Vice President, the authoress and traveller Barbara Toy, set off on her second world tour in her 1950 model, 'Pollyanna', which she purchased new from Henley's showroom in Piccadilly over forty years ago! 'Pollyanna' and Miss Toy successfully completed this second circumnavigation of the globe, returning home just in time for Christmas.

The Register carried out a 12 day 'Tour' in 1998 to mark 50 years of land Rovers being manufactured by following the route taken by four Pre-Production vehicles in 1948 when they towed the British Gliding Team to the first post war Gliding Championships in Switzerland.

Various members go a number of overseas events such as the annual Dutch gathering in September of each year.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

The Land-Rover Register has available for reference some historical literature concerning the early models and all their variants, and sound technical advice is available from our long standing members whose practical knowledge and experience goes back, in some cases, over several decades.

A number of 'research' projects on Land-Rover history and development are usually in progress and findings are published in the Newsletter although this gets more difficult as time moves on. A number of Pre-Production vehicles remain unfound!

Although the Land-Rover Register remains a relatively small group, it is very international in character with at least 10% of members overseas, with the largest proportion in Australia where a great many early Land-Rovers were exported. This world-wide spread of members means there are few regular local meets, but there is always a good turn out at the larger annual gatherings such as the ARC International Rally in May, the former LRO Show at Billing in July and Red Rose Series Action Weekend event in September and many members communicate regularly with one another on a one to one basis after an initial contact at these meetings.

AWARDS

At the Annual General Meeting (usually held at one of the Land Rover Shows) various Land-Rover Register trophies are awarded on an annual basis. These include; the 'Register Shield' for the best restoration; 'The Cooknell Challenge Trophy' for the vehicle driven the furthest to the event; 'The Editor's Cup' for the vehicle in most original condition; and 'The Europe Challenge Trophy', an occasional award for an outstanding expeditionary or other achievement in an original 1.6 litre (or Rolls-Royce B40) powered model.

SPARES

The search for spares is also of concern to the Register, and where parts are no longer available to the original specification or available from major suppliers, various members have had parts re-manufactured to standards compatible with the old Rover Company's products. Consequently, the Register has available, or can locate, a number of spares, often at very reasonable prices. It should be borne in mind though that all spares are becoming increasingly rare.

More recently the club has imported a number of 'Trakgrip' tyres and had the early windscreen seal re-manufactured as well as introducing a scheme whereby some re-manufactured products are approved. Most recent reproductions include exhausts, exhaust valves, springs, door handles, Pre-Pro door bottoms, PTO guards and petrol tanks.

THE NEWSLETTER

The club aims to produce between 5-6 Newsletters a year and they are the main form of regular contact between members and carries letters, stories of finds, restorations, technical advice, contemporary photographs and articles, sales and wants and news of spares availability etc. The Register Newsletter is now widely acknowledged as 'Number One' when it comes to finding the more rare examples, and in consequence many of the Pre-Production models, 'Station Wagons', and Rolls-Royce powered models, on the few occasions when they do come up for sale, tend to remain in the hands of Land Rover Register members.

RE-REGISTRATION OF OLD VEHICLES

Vehicle inspection and valuations can generally be arranged through the Register, and the Register is also on the Department of Transport's D.V.L.A. approved list of motor clubs, vetting applications for the registration of old vehicles on their original plate. Where an application is deemed to be genuine and the original number not transferred to another vehicle, then every assistance will be offered to re-instate the original number.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

The initial joining fee is £1 and the annual subscription currently (for 2008) stands at £23 in Europe, £27 elsewhere. The distinctive cast brass enamelled radiator badge costs £19.50.

Membership enquiries to: Kate Mell, 10 Rowan Mount, Wheatley Hills. Doncaster. South Yorks. DN2 5PJ.Tel +44 (0)130 236 7349

Secretary: Andrew Bullas, Woodfold, Preston New Road, Mellor. BLACKBURN. Lancashire. BB2 7NS. Tel. +44 (0)125 481 3032 Fax. +44 (0)125 481 4094

Technical enquiries: John Smith, 'Penbryn', Oak Farm Lane, Ash-cum-Ridley, Fairseat. SEVENOAKS. Kent. TN15 7JU. Tel +44 (0)173 282 2236

Registrations Officer: Pete Stringer, 16 Messingham Road, Scotter, GAINSBOROUGH. Lincs. DN21 3UH. Tel. +44 (0)172 476 3352 or please click here to send an EM.