Pre-Production Land-Rovers

Arguably the most sought after or desirable of the early Land-Rovers. The history of these has been documented in Tony Hutchings 'The Early Years' (now no longer available) and James Taylor's Original Land-Rover Series One, however the Register is aware of a greater amount of information about these vehicles then these publications currently provide.

Recent inspections of a significant number of these vehicles have, only recently, revealed a number of details previously unknown. It has to be said the information was there for the finding only some previous 'research' leaves something to be desired. At this time (23/07/01) we are still awaiting two books on the subject of early vehicles, one by John Smith (more a history of the Wilks Brothers) the other by Michael Bishop.

The current understanding of these vehicles is;

Of the 48 Pre-Pros the following is known:-

R01 On display as BMIHT

R02 Known to be no longer extant

L03 Owned by Tim Dines

R04 On display @ Beaulieu

L05 Unknown

R06 Exported to Dewars in India

L07 Unknown

R08 Owned by Robert Ivins

L09 Owned by Ken Wheelwright

R10 Unknown

L11 Owned by John Smith

L12 Owned by Alan Wheelright

R13 Unknown

R14 Owned by Gavin Howell

R15 Unknown

R16 Owned by Richard Lines

R17 Owned by Nigel Withers

L18 Unknown

L19 Owned by Ken Wheelwright

L20 Broken in SW Scotland in 1963

L21 Unknown

R22 Lost in North of England sometime after 1968

R23 Chassis exists in Matlock

L24 Owned by Bill Newport

L25 Owned by Michael Cooper

L26 Dismantled in North Wales circa 1961

R27-28 Unknown

L29 Owned by Guy Pickford

R30 Owned by Roger Young

L31 Unknown

R32 Owned by the Houbens

L33 As of 15/08/97 part of this vehicle may exist - to be confirmed

L34-35 Unknown

L36 Last registered 31/08/62

R37-38 Unknown

R39 Despatched to Rhodesia 27/08/48

R40-44 Exported to Ground Nut Scheme

L45 Owned by Nick Dart

L46 Owned by Andrew Ings

L47-48 Exported to Argentina