1948 Land-Rovers

[4WD: Land Rover: picture of 4x4 Landrover 1948 SI SWB ST, jpeg]

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.

[4WD: Land Rover: picture of 4x4 Landrover capstan winch, jpeg]

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.

[4WD: Land Rover: picture of 4x4 Landrover 1948 interior, jpeg]

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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