1948 Land-Rovers

Pictured (right) is a 1948 Land-Rover 80", chassis number R860987 restored by Bob Atkins and now one of a number of early Land-Rovers belonging to ULR Motors. It has the radiator grille over the head-lights, and side-lights mounted on the fire-wall. There are no external door handles and the seats have the genuine "spade" backs.

This Land-Rover is fitted with a front-mounted capstan winch. The winch is driven from the crank-shaft pulley and the yellow knob engages the dog-clutch. A starting handle can still be used. A capstan winch needs two people to self-recover a vehicle but has the great advantage of being able to pull at an angle without difficulty.

Note also the way that the bumper bar is bolted to the chassis.

The interior is basic! The optional passenger-side wind-screen wiper has not been purchased. The ring to the left of the right-hand wiper could hold the control switch for the optional trafficators if fitted.

Note the construction of the transmission tunnel - angular and bolted to the fire-wall. The gear-lever is mounted on the transmission tunnel; this was not a good idea as the transmission can move independently of it on rubber mountings. The red lever engages hi/lo-ratio. Being a 1948 Land-Rover, this is a full-time four wheel drive vehicle. A free-wheel mechanism in the transfer case front output drive relieves transmission wind-up. It can be locked by a ring-pull handle on the floor near the base of the lo-ratio lever. The front swivels employ Tracta constant-velocity joints.

1948 Land Rover at Billing '00

Nice shot of an 80-inch fire-wall, dash-board and chassis - Michael Bishop.

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