1957 | Land Rover 107

• Restored in 2021 by Theo Ford-Sagers and Benjamin Stowe
• Australian-delivered ‘trayback’ model
• Subject of the book Land Rover Series 1 Restoration Manual
• Retains original chassis and bulkhead

The Land-Rover Series 1 could be specified with myriad different body styles, but the distinctive ‘trayback’ variant was popular in Australia despite never officially being offered by the factory.

This long-wheelbase 109in Series 1 was exported in Complete Knocked-Down form and a plaque on the bulkhead shows that it was assembled by Pressed Metal Corporation Ltd in Sydney. The ‘trayback’ body was ideal for agricultural use in the vast Australian Outback, and when this Land-Rover was eventually brought back to the UK, it was showing all the signs of a busy life and was in need of a complete rebuild. 

Rural Australia has become a popular source of project Land-Rovers thanks to the arid climate, which usually means they suffer less from corrosion – and that was found to be the case with this Series 1. It had clearly served as a reliable workhorse for many years but was mostly complete, and the chassis and bulkhead were both good enough to be repaired rather than replaced. 

That philosophy was applied throughout the project and meant that the existing front wings, for example, were carefully restored instead of simply buying new ones. The robust four-cylinder engine hadn’t seized and was persuaded to run before being stripped down, fully inspected, and then rebuilt. The wheel hubs were overhauled all round and the axles were rebuilt, as was the suspension and the braking system. 

One section that did need to be replaced was the rear tray. A new platform was fabricated and beautifully fitted out with reclaimed pine that had been treated in order to protect it against rot.

The rebuild formed the basis of a hardback book entitled Land Rover Series 1 Restoration Manual, which guides home restorers through the entire process. Authors Theo Ford-Sagers and Benjamin Stowe wrote: ‘Giving this [Land Rover] a new lease of life has been a hugely satisfying experience, worth the hundreds of hours and thousands of pounds that have been invested in it.’

Once completed, the Land-Rover was UK-registered in August 2021, and since then an interior heater has been added. It’s now being offered for sale as a distinctive, practical Series 1 that’s full of character and which retains a wonderful patina thanks to the sympathetic way in which it was restored.