082 Land Rover 80 Series 1 (1953) VFF 557 by Robert Knight
Via Flickr:
Land Rover 80 Series 1 (1948-58) Engine 1997cc S4 Petrol Registration Number VFF 557 (Bangor for Sir Feirionnydd (Merrionethshire LAND ROVER ALBUM www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/albums/72157623671619947/ Introduced in 1948 with a 1.6ltr petrol engine of 50bhp replaced in 1952-3 by a 2.0ltr Siamese bore engine, meaning no water passages between the pistons. Originally on an 80 inch wheelbase, for the 1954 model year saw the 86 inch wheelbase replace the 80 inch and the introduction of a 107 inch wheelbase Pick Up version. The concept of an all wheel drive go anywhere utility vehicle was the inspiration of Rover chief engineer Maurice Wilkes. This was at a time in post-war Britain when the economy was in a poor state and the motor industry faced rationing of vital steel needed for production and while the idea of Rover launching a new luxury model was unviable. Wilkes saw the need for a lightweight versatile vehicle that would suit the farming community and at the same time could be used on the road, basically something akin to the US Jeep. The prototypes were tested on Wilkes Welsh farm, on the sort of terrain it was intended for, its aluminium body panels achieving the desired weight saving while importantly not using the steel allocation needed for Rover car production. The first production model was registered on the 21st May 1948, and proved a far greater success than had been envisaged in both the Home and Export markets, the Land Rover sold very well in Britain's overseas colonies, the added bonus being that Government steel rationing were allocated according to export sales, so the aluminium panelled Land Rover paved the way for an increase in steel to build Rover cars. Diolch am 97,855,160 o olygiadau gwych, mae pob un ohonynt yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi'n fawr. Thanks for 97,855,160 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated. Shot 10.09.2022, at Statfold Barn Railway, near Tamworth, Staffordshire REF 164-082
