Brief history of Land Rover

Right up there with the plucky vim and vigour of the original Mini and the elegant power of the Jaguar E-Type, the rough and tough all-terrain Land Rover is synonymous with Great Britain. All vehicles that punch well above their weight, often rising nobly to the challenge set down by the biggest American, European and Japanese car makers.

Indeed, like its home nation, Land Rover has struggled through an almost impossible terrain over the years. Recessions, fuel crises, manufacturing problems, labour disputes, the decline of the UK motor industry, an American buy-out and, more recently, an Indian takeover has seen Land Rover tested almost beyond endurance.

However, as you’ll see from some of their latest modern-day offerings, Land Rover has emerged on the other side, still the maker of some of the world’s best 4x4. And still holding a special place in the hearts of many UK car enthusiasts.

To honour these vehicles in all their glory we’ve put together this brief history of the Land Rover. Read on to get the inside track on this true British classic.

However, no matter how tough these vehicles look, you'll always want to make sure you’ve got the best classic car insurance in place to deal with any problems. Give the team at Lancaster Insurance a call today to discuss your trusty classic Land Rover and its insurance needs.

Land Rover: the history of a legend

The Land Rover’s original design was first developed in 1947 on a farm at Red Wharf Bay in Newborough, Anglesey owned by Maurice Wilks, the chief designer of the Rover car company. Along with his brother Spencer, Rover’s managing director, they wanted to develop an all-terrain vehicle as a British answer to the American Jeep that had operated so successfully during WW2.

And it’s easy to see the influence of the Jeep on the first prototypes, which were built using a Jeep chassis and axles. But you can also see the influence that the farming life had on the design, with the steering wheel set in the centre like a tractor! Little did they know that what was originally seen as a stop-gap solution in the post-war years would go on to be such a long-running and hugely successful vehicle.

Launched in 1948 at the Amsterdam Motor Show, full production of the Land Rover Series I began at Rover’s Solihull factory in Warwickshire shortly after. If you want to visit the first pre-production Land Rover (known affectionately as Huey owing to its HUE 166 registration number) it’s now on permanent display at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

The Series I was an immediate success and surpassed all expectations with the British army ordering 1,878 in 1949. Indeed, such was the size of the order that the decision was then made to paint all Land Rovers in the army’s dark green!

And it wasn’t just the armed forces that were won over. The current queen’s father King George VI viewed the original Land Rover in 1948 and granted the company their first Royal Warrant soon after in 1951. This close bond between the car maker and the Royal family has been continued right up to the present day. With Jaguar Land Rover (the company’s current name) the only automotive manufacturer to hold all three Royal Warrants from Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

By the time the Series II came along 10 years later, nearly 200,000 Land Rovers had been produced with huge numbers exported around the world. Along with a major engine upgrade, a design team led by Rover’s stylist David Bache performed a redesign of the Series II body. Bache came up with a less agricultural look with a curved shoulder line for the Series II and several other design changes that became Land Rover hallmarks for many years to come. Indeed, the revised shape remained little changed until the Land Rover Defender ceased production in 2016.

The Land Rover’s now-renowned versatility was developed even further during this time with a huge range of body styles and conversions available to customers. Apart from ambulances, fire engines, mobile cinemas and crop sprayers there were some other notable developments well worth looking out for.

Considered by some to be the very first ‘Monster Truck’ the bizarre-looking Forest Rover used huge tractor tyres to get over tree trunks and deep mud. Although the chunky wheels and wider front axles meant the removal of the front wings and rear body. While Scottish engineering firm Cuthbertson & Sons could even replace the wheels with caterpillar tracks, to take the vehicle even further in terms of off-road handling!

Other notable examples produced for the British Military included the lorry-like Forward Control of 1962, which placed the cabin high and forward over the front wheels to create a longer load-bed. While, if you wanted to drop your Land Rover out of a plane or suspended from a helicopter, then the Lightweight of 1968 was perfect for you. With a simple, narrow body this Land Rover could be stripped down and made light enough to be air-portable (although still heavier than their civilian siblings). Over the 13-year production run of the Series II over half a million vehicles were made.

The Series III that carried the Land Rover flag between 1971 to 1985 continued the tradition, but coincided with some of the darkest days of the British car industry. However, it was a testament to Land Rover’s strong global appeal that the Series III sold almost as well as its predecessor despite the tougher economic environment.

As the Land Rovers grew in popularity in the leisure market, comfort began to play an increasing role in the design. With the first in this trend being the ‘County Station Wagon’ version of 1982 that featured a plusher trim, boasting tweed seats and tinted glass!

As the Series III ceased production, the model underwent marked changes with the introduction of the Land Rover 130, Land Rover 110 and Land Rover 90 (the numbers represented the respective wheelbase length). While the body was largely unchanged, internal developments included coil-sprung suspension and a wider track for better handling, five-speed manual gearboxes on four-cylinder variants and engine upgrades.

With the launch of the popular and radical Land Rover Discovery in 1989, Land Rover renamed its original series the Defender, as a nod to its service for the British armed forces. The Defender series has gone from strength to strength with more power, electronic driving aids and modern creature comforts making models hugely popular with the civilian market.

However, the Defender certainly didn’t go soft and in 1996 the British army ordered 8,000 military spec Defenders codenamed Wolf. While the Defender has also proved its toughness time and again with its adventures in the Camel Trophy and the G4 Challenge competitions.

But all good things must eventually come to an end. By 2016 owing to difficulties in maintaining modern safety and emissions standards Land Rovers Indian owner Tata decided to finally cease production on the original Defender series. Making it one of the world’s most loved and long-lived road vehicles. But Land Rover Series/Defender fans need not despair. With around 70 percent of the Land Rovers ever made still on the road, there are plenty of places you can still buy a classic Land Rover, just not a new one!

That said, if you’re looking for a future classic from the Land Rover stable then a brand-new 21st Century Land Rover Defender was launched in 2019 to much acclaim from the motoring press.

Three classics from the Land Rover design archives

While Land Rover continues to produce some great cars if you’re in the market for a Land Rover classic then take a look at some of these. Here are three of the best to ever roll off those legendary British factory production lines.

Land Rover Series/Defender (1948-2016)

Durable, dependable and legendary, the Land Rover Series/Defender had a production run of a phenomenal 68 years. While once considered the ultimate utilitarian vehicle, these reliable and versatile 4x4 models with their simple and basic design are now all extremely collectable.

For anyone looking for a classic that will give them some great off-road credentials while still being manageable on the tarmac then these models are perfect. And the great thing is that because there were so few changes in its 68 years of production, early models are still just as useful today as they were when first produced.

With the steely resolve of a true British warrior, they certainly weren't flashy, but with decent power and a tough chassis they sure worked hard in any terrain you could throw it into.

There are plenty out there for classic Land Rover lovers to choose from. The Series I is a popular choice among fans thanks to its timeless look. Many Series IIs have also been snapped up by collectors while the Series III can also be a reliable bet. Whether you choose one of these or one of the later Defender models, you’ll always receive plenty of interest when motoring on the UK’s country roads.

Land Rover Discovery I (1989-1998) and II (1998-2004)

Being light, airy and spacious inside, both the Discovery I and the Discovery II were very popular with car buyers looking for a family friendly car that was both practical and stylish. The main drawback being that they both suffered in different respects from rust.

Unfortunately, this meant many early Discovery vehicles soon entered ‘banger’ territory and found themselves unfairly and needlessly consigned to the scrapheap. However, for those enthusiasts happy to spend the time remedying these problems the model could be a great addition to your classic collection.

Rapidly attaining cult status the Discovery I is now being appreciated for the innovative, landmark car it was. Indeed, an original Discovery is now becoming as collectable as an early Range Rover.

Land Rover Freelander I (1997-2015) and II (2006-2015)

Next in line for the sought-after classic treatment may well be the much-maligned Land Rover Freelander. While Land Rover purists may scoff, early examples are being snapped up as potential classics of the future worth squirrelling away.

Comfortable, reliable, with a range of body styles and engines, and comparatively cheap to run Freelanders are looking like the next big thing for Land Rover collectors. Be aware that while Freelanders have decent off-road performance they aren’t quite as suitable for heavy duty off-road work. 

While the second generation of Freelanders is still outside of the classic bracket, it does have some desirable upmarket additions and improved reliability. So it might be worth looking at as a future ‘Future Classic’.

Protecting your classic Land Rover whatever the adventure

Putting your beloved Land Rover classic through its paces will take more than a gentle drive along country roads, you’ll really want to get off the tarmac and take to the mud! It’s more important than ever to make sure you’ve got the best classic car insurance to protect it.

For over 20 years Lancaster has been a specialist broker for Land Rover owners looking for classic car insurance that is tailored to their individual needs. After all, if you do have any mishaps, you’ll want someone who truly understands your vehicle and what it takes to get you back to your off-road adventure.

Indeed, the experienced team at Lancaster could even extend cover for your Land Rover if you’ve modified it including winch, roll cage, spot lights, off road tyres, tow bar, side steps, and much more.

Every year, thousands of classic car owners trust Lancaster Insurance with their classic car insurance. That’s because we offer value for money but we’re passionate about classic cars and ensuring owners of them are suitably covered.

Choosing cover from Lancaster entitles you to a range of benefits including:

• Up to 25% Classic Car Club member discounts
• Static show cover
• Historic rally cover
• Limited mileage discounts

You’ll also have 24-hour access to our claims helpline and UK-based call centre.

Get a quote for classic car insurance today.