Barn Find - 1955 Land Rover Series I - 86" - 1 family from new - 96,000 Miles

OWX 955

1955 Land Rover Series I

86" - 2.0l petrol

One Family owned from new

Unused / dry stored for 9 years

previously refurbished 25 years ago

We are often asked if we sell Land Rovers before we restore them, so I thought I would offer this particular vehicle, as it is an easy and worthwhile restoration.

The story so far. . . .

I was recently contacted by a family who had "an old Land Rover" to sell. I went to have a look, and found this lovely 1955 Land Rover, languishing unused in their garage.

It has been dry stored for 9 years.

The family have owned it from new, and it was purchased from a local Huddersfield dealer (now closed).

There is lots of history:

Every MOT - including it's first MOT in 1965 (When MOT's were introduced it only applied to vehicles over 10 years old.

The original "Buff" log book - showing family ownership from new.

The family have lost the current V5 - but this has been applied for, and will be supplied with the Land Rover at the end of the auction. This will show two keepers - both at the same address.

The original "Instruction manual" - Published 1954 - a collectors item in its own right

A modern workshop manual

2 books of "Petrol Ration Coupons" - printed in the 1960s (I believe) and issued (but unused) in the early 1970s.

The MOT certificates from new are as follows:

• 1965 (first MOT as it reached 10 years old) - No mileages were recorded on these old certificates.
• 1966 (no mileage)
• 1967 (no mileage)
• 1968 (no mileage)
• 1969 - 59,971 (mileage section introduced to the MOT certificates)
• 1971 - 60,707 miles
• 1972 - 63,278 miles
• 1973 - 65,189 miles
• 1974 - 67,184 miles
• 1975 - 67,783 miles
• 1977 - 68,565 miles
• 1982 - 69,951 miles
• 1986 - 69,971 miles
• 1988 - 75,637 miles
• 1989 - 76,292 miles
• 1990 - 77,249 miles
• 1991 - 78,239 miles
• 1992 - 78,666 miles
• 1994 - 79,523 miles
• 1994 - 80,436 miles
• 1995 - 82,769 miles
• 1996 - 84,358 miles
• 1998 - 84,358 miles
• 2000 - 95,305 miles
• 2001 - 95,925 miles
• 2002 - 96,046  miles

Current mileage 96,078 - so you can see that up to 2002 it had been in regular use. The years for which there are no MOT are times when it was not used. Those years where there are two certicates for the year simply mean it was MOT'd at the beginning of the year, and again at the end.

To demonstrate what a worthwhile project this would be, we collected the Land Rover yesterday, fitted a new battery (included in the sale), cleaned the points and it started straight away.

The fuel is stale (smells like varnish!) - so this will need to be replaced and the fuel lines cleaned, BUT - the engine ticks over perfectly - no tapping or knocking and runs very smoothly.

All gears appear to work correctly having driven it around our compound.

The clutch was "stuck on" due to lack of use, but released within 10 yards. The brakes "work" - but will obviously need thoroughly checking before the Land Rover is put back on the road.

As you can see from the pictures, the Land Rover is in lovely condition, and is just how you would hope to find one hidden away. The chassis and bulkhead are very good - it may just require 1 small area of weld (you can see a small rust patch on the rear X member).

Obviously it will need trailering away, but I honestly believe that this will be a simple and straighforwards project for the winning bidder - with no hidden "horrors".

I have given a 100% honest and accurate description, but this is 56 years old, so I do recommend potential buyers come and view if possible - or at the very least ask any questions before the end of the auction. I think you would struggle to find such an honest unmolested restoration project.

The Land Rover is located at our premises:

• Land Rover Centre
• Bridge Street,
• Lockwood,
• Huddersfield
• HD4 6EL
• 01484 542092
• mark@landrovercentre.com
• "ask seller a question"

Viewing is available office hours and Saturday 9 to 4pm - This is a 10 day auction.

Winning bidder to make contact within 24 hours and payment / collection within 7 days - unless prior arrangements made.

Delivery is possible - please ask for a quote before bidding - payment in full including delivery costs before delivery will be made.

This is not the "cheapest" project Land Rover you will find - but where else will you find such an honest, unmolested example - with such good provenance AND it's original registration number ! !

Happy bidding :-)