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Searching barns for Series Land Rovers

The iconic Land Rover driven worldwide. Winston Churchill, Dalai Lama and Bob Marley all drove a Series Land Rover

Series 1

Produced from 1948 to 1959

The ultimate classic Land Rover. Early types are more desirable than ever and reach the highest prices. The more genuine condition the better, well preserved barn-finds can reach astronomical values.
Body Class

5 lengths of Series 1 were produced

80 inch
Produced from 1948 to 1953
The most rare of series are early type 80 inch also called “lights behind the grille” produced until 1950. These early type Series 1 80 were equipped with a 4 cylinder petrol 1.6 litre. Later type had a modified front grille and a larger, more powerful 2.0 litre 4 cylinder petrol.
86 Inch
Produced from 1954 to 1956
Additional 2 inch were added in the rear to make the cargo area larger.
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88 inch
Produced from 1956 to 1958
To suit the more powerful new 2.0 4 Cylinder diesel additional 2 inches were added in the engine area.
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80 inch
Produced from 1948 to 1953
The most rare of series are early type 80 inch also called “lights behind the grille” produced until 1950. These early type Series 1 80 were equipped with a 4 cylinder petrol 1.6 litre. Later type had a modified front grille and a larger, more powerful 2.0 litre 4 cylinder petrol.
80 inch
Produced from 1948 to 1953
The most rare of series are early type 80 inch also called “lights behind the grille” produced until 1950. These early type Series 1 80 were equipped with a 4 cylinder petrol 1.6 litre. Later type had a modified front grille and a larger, more powerful 2.0 litre 4 cylinder petrol.
BODY TYPE
Basic Body Types
Early Series was very basic, had 3 seats and cargo area covered with canvas or simple metal roof. Later the most common Series was a Pickup either in a short wheelbase and long wheelbase version. Station Wagons were rare, the 107 inch seated 10 people inch and was only produced for 2 years. A short wheelbase Station Wagon seated 7 and had a safari roof.
PRICE GUIDE
What to expect prise-wise
Poor condition: 3.500€ – 7.000€, Average condition: 7.000€ – 9.000€, Good condition: 9.000€ – 21.000€, Excellent condition: 21.000€ – 70.000€

Series 2 & 2a

Produced from 1958 to 1971

Series 2 started the iconic bidy shape of the Land Rover which endured for 60 years all the way to the Defender. Early Series 2 and Series 2a up to 1970 had headlamps inside the grille mask. After 1970 the headlamps were moved aside on the wings. All Series 2 and 2a has a central dashboard and the front grille is metal.
Body Class

2 lengths of Series 2 were produced 88 and 109 inch wheelbase.

ENGINE
Both petrol and Diesel
Early Series 2 was fitted with a 2.0 litre petrol used also in later series 1. Series 2a was powered by a 2.25 litre engine which was commonly used in the Land Rover Series up to 1985. The same engine block was used for Petrol and Diesel. More powerful 2.6 litre 6 cylinders were produced mainly for the USA – Canada export.
BODY TYPE
Basic Body Types
Standard version with two seats and rear cargo area is the most common Series. Station Wagons are rare and more valuable – 88 inch Station Wagon seats 7 and 109 inch Station Wagon seats 10 passengers.
PRICE GUIDE
What to expect prise-wise
poor condition 2.000€ – 3.500€, average condition 3.500€ – 5.500€, good condition 5.500€ – 10.000€, excellent condition 10.000€ – 30.000€

Series 3

Produced from 1971 to 1985

Very similiar aesthetics as the Series 2, major changes are synchro gearbox for a more easier smooth gear shifting and a full wide dashboard with the clocks and controls behind the steering wheel. Lights were moved to the side wings and plastic front grille replaced the metal one. Door and bonnet hinges are slightly different and a vent in front wing passenger side was added for air heater intake.
Body Class

2 lengths of Series 2 were produced 88 and 109 inch wheelbase.

ENGINE
Diesel and Petrol engines.
2.25 litre engine were commonly used in the Land Rover Series up to 1985. The same engine block was used for Petrol and Diesel. In post 1980 diesel a 2.25 got 2 additional bearings to support the crankshaft, as diesel crankshaft were keen to crack on earlier engines. A stronger 2.6 litre 6 cylinder petrol powered mostly vehicles for USA and Canada export.
BODY TYPE
Basic Body Types
Standard version with two seats and rear cargo area is the most common Series. Station Wagons are rare and more valuable – 88 inch Station Wagon seats 7 and 109 inch Station Wagon seats 10 passengers.
PRICE GUIDE
What to expect prise-wise
poor condition 1.500€ – 2.500€, average condition 2.500€ – 5.500€, good condition 5.500€ – 8.000€, excellent condition 8.000€ – 25.000€
Condition
Beware of DIY restorations
Land Rover Series are vehicles which on first site look like an easy project for restoration. Therefore plenty of individuals fool theirself into a restoration project and do the job very poorly. Those types of car are priced somewhere in the higher midrange, but to get the vehicle into a nice condition takes plenty of time and money. Often more than restore a poor genuine condition. We suggest to buy only one of the two – full restoration done by a professional or condition as factory like as possible.
Genuine
Factory lie condition
Genuine condition, as came off the factory or overpainted years ago with little modifications visible on first sight. Dents, scratches or rust are not a big issue. Chassis should not be rotten badly. These cars are mostly parked somewhere for years and not driven a lot, therefore there are also referred to as a Barnfind.
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Full Restoration
Professional A1 Rebuilds
Nice professional restorations, where the value invested exceeds the selling price. Sometimes these restorations can cost up to 80k euro, but you can often buy a fully restored vehicles for half the price.

What Series you like?