A parking lot is a parking lot—unless it’s the Summit Racing parking lot. On any given day or time, the lot outside a Summit Racing store can turn into an impromptu mini car show, depending on who’s stopped by the store. On Wednesday, we often share a notable parking lot find—another benefit of being powered by Summit Racing Equipment.
The Land Rover was born in the years immediately following World War II. Taking a page out the Willys/Jeep playbook, the Rover company saw a need for a rugged, agricultural vehicle that could bring Britain (and the rest of western Europe) back to economic stability.
The Land Rover Series 1 delivered.
The original Land Rover “Series” models (as they would come to be known) shared many characteristics with the early Civilian Jeeps, including four-wheel drive, a power take-off for farm equipment, and a soft top.
But curiously, the Land Rover Series’ most distinctive feature—its aluminum body—came by sheer necessity. Steel was in short supply after the war, so Rover made use of peacetime surplus aluminum. In fact, the paint Rover used to cover the early-production bodies was leftover military aircraft paint.
Land Rover Series of any generation are hard to come by here across the pond, which is why we were so happy to see this one recently in the Summit Racing parking lot in Tallmadge, OH near Akron.
This particular “Landy” had a handful of off-road upgrades too, including a light bar, winch, and skid plate.
We’re far from experts on guessing years for post-war British trucks, but we think this is a “Series III” version, given its grille and headlights.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t track down the owner to ask them for an exact year, and we weren’t able to see under the hood…err…bonnet to determine the engine.
If you’re a Landy expert and can give us a more accurate year/model, chime in below in the comments section.
After Series III, the 90, 110, and Defender models were born, moving the iconic off-roader more upscale, where it would find success in the luxury SUV market—a far cry from the utilitarian, function-over-form ethos of the original Series Rovers.
Still, the iconic hood-mounted spare and mesh grille easily earn Land Rover Series models a spot in the off-roading hall of fame.
(All Photos/OnAllCylinders)
It is a series III but, not easy to tell what year it’s from, they where made from 71-85 almost without change. The one you found, seems to be wearing a series II hood, the series III hood had was more bulky and had rounded edges, at least from the year 75.
There were 3 engines to choose from a 2.25 four cyl. Diesel making a stunning 62 hp.
A similar 2.25 petrol with 74 hp. ( on a good day) and the third engine was a 2.6 straight inline 6 cyl. with 86 hp.
In 1979 they released the Landrover V8. Still a series III, but upgraded with the 3.5 liter V8 engine used in the Range-Rover, that in fact is an old Buick engine. The LR. V8 had the grille moved out to align with the fenders, similar to the 90” and 110” models.
Thanks Jesper–I was hoping someone with more knowledge would pop in and enlighten us. We don’t see these early Land Rovers in the States often, so your insight is much appreciated!
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Back here in Blighty a Series LR with those ‘additions’ would have us falling about.. Still each to his own, only surely Shirley, even in these enlightened times, if the owner is a tad light on his feet there’s other ways to make this clear. A pink CJ would do it.