Classic of the decade: 1940’S LAND ROVER – SERIES 1

Rover’s iconic first off-road vehicle was the first mass produced civilian four-wheel drive car, which entered production in 1948. A true classic in every sense, setting the benchmark to all off road machine in the future.

The clue was always there, in the name. The Land Rover was designed to rove the land, regardless of conditions and it all started with the Series 1 Land Rover 80, which was designed as a “post war Jeep” for the Farmer’s field rather than the battlefield. Aluminium body panels, a result of the post war shortage of steel was a feature that would continue to be seen on later Land Rover products. Early prototypes feature a 1.4 litre engine which was soon upgraded to a 1.6 Litre.
Rover quickly saw that the vehicle’s appeal went beyond expectations. In 1949 the British Army placed its first order. It wanted 1,878, so many, that the decision was made to paint all Land Rovers in the Army’s dark green, and they saw their first action the following year, in the Korean War.

Demand for this new vehicle was amazing. By 1951, Land Rovers were out-selling Rover road cars by a factor of two to one. Something that was not fully  anticipated, was the fact that the Land Rover was adaptable to a huge range of markets other than farmers. Quickly it was being used by police forces, armed services, building contractors, and many more unique applications. The Red Cross ordered its first Land Rovers in 1954, and its relationship with them endures to this day.

A “long wheelbase” 107” Land Rover was also introduced. These new models proved expensive, with a surprising number of new parts including new prop-shafts, springs, exhaust, and body panelling. The Land Rover had a very successful first ten years, but by 1958 the introduction of the Series II with its larger engine brought the Series 1 production to a close. This Pioneering off road machine continues to be seen on the roads today.

Motul and Witham Motorsport are proud to supply the lubrication for the historic machine and many other classics.

The lubricant recommendations for the 1940’s Land Rover Series 1 include:

For more information about all Motul’s lubricants, greases, coolants, brake fluids and gearbox oils for both classic and modern vehicles visit our website.