Land Rover I, II, IIA and III: Books - History (1/2)

Land Rover - Series I, II, III & Defender

It is more than sixty years since the prototype was built in 1948 and the Land Rover of today still resembles the original - although creature comforts may be more evident on the latest Defender models. Whatever form it takes, the Land Rover is one of the few vehicles that can be found on every continent of the world, and it is said that around 70 per cent of all Land Rovers ever made are still in daily use.

This book tells the story of the 'proper' Landys, the Series I, II, IIA, III and the Defender. He also looks at the FCs, the military and emergency service vehicles, special projects, off-roading and the celebrity cars. Infinitely flexible, they have appeared in short, medium and long wheelbase variants, with a host of body styles and conversions for everything from sixwheeled fire engines to motor homes.

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Original Land Rover Series 1 - The Restorer's Guide to Civil & Military Models 1948-58

The completely authentic specification now sought by the most discerning enthusiasts causes many problems with early Land-Rovers. Many of these vehicles have been altered over the years with updated and incorrect parts simply to keep them in service.
During manufacture, too, Rover found itself with such a pioneering yet super-successful product that a bewildering number of specification changes were introduced during the 10-year production run, giving any Series I Land-Rover numerous distinctive features according to model and period.

To provide answers to the questions Land-Rover enthusiasts are always asking, immense effort has gone into making this book as comprehensive as possible. Its meticulous author pinpoints many hotly debated modifications as he dissects the fascinating evolution of the Series 1.

Much detective work has gone into locating the right Land-Rovers for photography, so that correct details are shown from superb vehicles that have been preserved in original condition or restored with close attention to authenticity.

This is the ultimate guide to the Land Rover Series I. The intensively researched text is packed with a level of specification detail that goes far beyond any book previously published about early Land-Rovers.
More than 200 specially commissioned colour photographs of 25 different vehicles - including military versions and fire engines - reveal the details that distinguish one model from another. Indispensable for all owners, restorers, buyers and enthusiasts.

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Factory-Original Land Rover Series I, 80-inch models

It was back in 1996 that James Taylor's book Original Land Rover Series I was first published, and it has been in print and in constant demand ever since.
In recent years James has been engaged in further research and the gathering of new information for a much larger and more detailed work about the Series I, so this substantial new book is dedicated to the 80-inch models alone, with the Series Is on other wheelbases to come in a later volume. The aim remains the same as it was for the 1996 book: to provide a detailed guide to correct factory specification and equipment for all models.

With the aid of Simon Clay's photography of some superb examples of the marque, correct details are shown on both complete vehicles and on some under restoration to give the dedicated enthusiast the knowledge needed.
In this book, leading Land Rover historian James Taylor is your guide to the multiple changes in specification that affected the 80-inch Land Rovers built between 1948 and 1953.

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Land Rover Series I, II, IIa & III - With over 350 illustrations from sales brochures and advertising

There has rarely been a British success story like the Land Rover. Developed in a short time and on a small budget, it was launched in 1948 and having passed though many revisions is still a world leader today.
The Series Land Rovers detailed in this book take us from the beginning to 1985, and the many surviving examples, supported by a comprehensive parts and restoration industry, are seeing a solid increase in values.

Here James Taylor, the premier historian of the marque, provides a detailed study of the Land Rover's evolution through the period and the variants and special-purpose versions that were produced.
Uniquely, it is the manufacturer's own sales brochures and advertising that supply the illustrations, which number some 350 and serve not only to depict the vehicles but also to re-create the atmosphere of the times when they were made.

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Land Rover Series One 1948-58

The Land Rover was a post-war marvel, a vehicle that helped change the face of motoring on and off-road around the world. From its humble beginnings as a temporary stopgap intended to get the Rover Company up and running again in a workshop at Solihull, it soon endeared itself to those who ended to travel off the beaten track anywhere in the world. Its success can be gauged by the fact that in only six years, more than 100,000 were made.

The vehicle evolved quickly in its first ten years to the extent that the vehicles known as Series One Land Rovers include five wheelbases and three engines and it became a permanent part of the Rover Company's range of vehicles. Owners and drivers soon included royalty, farmers, explorers and soldiers and the Land Rover became a ubiquitous part of the British landscape especially in rural areas.

Inevitably the Land Rovers that started the legend became cherished and sought-after classics to the extent that the Series One owners' club is now the largest Land Rover club in the world. They are owned by people as diverse as the tasks Land Rovers are expected to perform and this book reflects that. Photographed in recent years, it offers a snapshot of these cherished automobiles, their owners and the events they attend.

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Land Rover Series I - II & IIA (1948-1971) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Land Rover 4x4 models from the years 1948-1971. Describes the Land Rover Series I, II and IIA.

• The 58 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

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More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

Le Land Rover Series I, II et III de mon père

Designed in the post-war economic context of shortages, the Land Rover was originally a multi-purpose machine intended for farmers.
Capable of carrying out work usually assigned to a tractor, of making its way on inaccessible terrain, of transporting loads and passengers, this 4x4 was quickly adopted outside the agricultural sector (Explorers, Military, Public Works, etc.).

For several decades, this legendary vehicle conquered the entire world. The Land Rover Series I, II and IIII followed one another from 1948 to 1985.
More powerful petrol and diesel engines, increased loading capacities, increasingly less rustic fittings, they were available in a multitude of versions meeting the expectations of users, up to the "90", "109" and Defender which perpetuated the initial concept from 1983 to 2015.

• Richly illustrated, this book is dedicated to the famous Land Rover Series I, II and III of the years 1948-1985.
• Retraces in detail the history and evolution of the Land Rover Series 1 (1948-1958), Series 2 (1958-1961), Series 2A (1961-1971) and Series 3 (1971-1985).
• This volume of the collection "La voiture de mon père" is not only a source of in-depth information for the owner, but also a concise guide to originality.
• The technology, variants, modifications and special versions are described in detail.
• Also deals with manufacturing abroad.
• Contains 200 period photos, often unpublished.

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