Land Rover Series I Start Page

This is a start or portal page for information about the Land Rover Series I on this site and around the web. It is in development at the moment.

Introduction to Land Rover Series I

The Series I is the original Land Rover and was first produced in 1948.  At the time it was not known as the Series I, but was simply the "Land Rover" and was manufactured by the Rover Motor Company. It was modeled extensively on the famous war-time Willy's jeep.  The Rover Motor Company, formerly a respected maker of fine cars, needed an exportable vehicle to produce to keep its factories going after World War II.  Land Rover, and The Land Rover, were born when Rover Car Company managers Spencer and Maurice Wilks recognized that a jeep-like utilitarian vehicle for farmers was just the stop-gap product their company needed. The article History of Land Rover - the Very Beginning covers this story more fully.

Series I trucks have leaf-sprung suspensions, steel box chassis, and aluminum body panels.  They were all painted military green as this is what was available after World War II.  [Different body style options here.]

Series I Design and Development

Specifications
 

Buying and Selling Series I's

Before buying or selling a Series I, do your research. There are some good books on the subject - specifically Land Rover and Series trucks even - see our list of buying guides.

Typically, when buying a Series I, you will likely have to look farther and wider than just your home town, especially if you are not in the United Kingdom as they are rare.  You might even have to restore one in order to get it in good condition.  Contacting a local enthusiast club can be a very good way to get started finding a Series I that has been maintained very well. 

Our directory of Land Rover repair shops includes shops that restore Series One's -- check with them as they may know of Series trucks for sale.  Our Land Rover book directory also has manuals on Series I restoration.

Be extremely mindful of possible scams and frauds - regardless of if you are selling or buying.  Never ever wire money to someone you do not personally know well.  Car sales in particular have attracted a lot of online fraudsters.

You cannot just check Kelley Blue Book for values - you can watch eBay - I see Series II and later there on the US site. If you sign into your eBay account, there is a choice in the right sidebar that you can check indicating you only want to see completed listings.  This will allow you to see what other Series Is have been actually selling for at auction. Be mindful of checking the condition of each car though as that can affect price tremendously.

Anyone bought or sold a Series I lately?  If you can add or edit our advice here we would be very appreciative - contact us here.  We would also like to hear about sale prices - perhaps we can keep a log here of sold prices and conditions for which to help estimate values of Series I vehicles.

You can view Series I's for sale in our free classifieds.  If you have a Series I for sale, why not add a free classified ad for it here on Land Rover Geeks?

Series I Clubs

There are many general Land Rover enthusiast clubs around the world: see our Land Rover Clubs directory. 

Such clubs often:

-- include off-roading rallies that are fun for the whole family,

-- usually allow for all different experience and equipment levels,

-- follow the recommendations of the Tread Lightly organization, and

-- are in general just a great way to share your love of Series I's and Land Rovers with other like-minded people.

Series I Parts

We have a Parts Supplier directory you can use to search and rate parts vendors.  We also want to add a parts number database to this site.  If you have any lists of official Land Rover part numbers and what vehicles they apply to we would love to have them - contact us here.

Series I Repair

-- Specialty Series I Repair Shops Directory

-- DIY how-tos

-- common issues page - Series I Problems - to be written

Series I Reviews

If a reviewer were to compare a Series I to a modern day truck, the review would say the Series I was slow, hot, and uncomfortable (unless the reviewer was a real die-hard Series truck fan).  But the Series I got great reviews in its day [need elaborate].

Series I Videos

You can view our entire directory of Land Rover Series I videos, or just specific categories via the links below:

-- Series I Adventure related videos (like the G4 Challenge)

-- Series I feature overview videos

-- Series I video reviews

-- Series I commercials and promo videos

-- Series I off-roading videos

-- Series I how-to and repair videos

More Series I Information: 

Series I Forum

Series I Service & Repair Center Directory

Series I How-Tos

Series Is For Sale

Series I Books & Manuals

And last, you can browse the latest content on Land Rover Geeks of interest to Series I enthusiasts in blog format.