1955 Land Rover Series I 86in
Entered from the David Lucas Collection - No Reserve

Registration No: ECK 275D
Chassis No: 57105948
MOT: Exempt

• Among the longest standing members of the collection
• Thought to have prevsiously served with the Armed Forces before being decommissioned in 1966
• No former keepers shown on its accompanying V5C Registration Documents
• Reputedly uprated with a later 2.25 litre engine
• In need of recommissioning / restoration

This is where 'The Best 4x4 by Far' started - a utility vehicle devised in 1947 by the Wilks brothers for use on their farm which drew inspiration from the wartime Jeep. Thanks to its ingenious high/low ratio four-wheel drive system, the resultant 4x4 possessed incredible climbing capabilities in all conditions (including battlefields). Boasting a roomier cabin than its 80in predecessor, many consider the short-lived 86in (1954-1956) to be the best of the Series I Land Rovers.

Built during the 1955 model year but not issued with the Preston number plate ‘ECK 275D’ until 23^rd November 1966, chassis 57105948 is believed to have spent its first eleven years in service with the British Armed Forces. Part of the late Mr Lucas’s collection since at least the late 1970s when the DVLA computerised their ownership records, the Land Rover is thought to have been uprated with a later / more powerful engine at some stage if only because the accompanying V5C quotes the cubic capacity as 2286cc. The same document also lists no former keepers. Passing its most recent MOT test on 17^th March 2011 at an indicated 52,306 miles with ‘no advisories’, the Series I has since deteriorated and as such will require recommissioning / restoration prior to use.

David Lucas (1947 – 2023)

A motor engineer by profession, the late David Lucas amassed a collection of over forty vintage and classic cars, commercials and tractors between the 1970s and his death last year. A true petrolhead, he housed several of them in a private museum which was decorated with an amazing array of automobilia. Drawn to cars with original interiors, he also had a deep love of music and a quirky sense of humour. A champion of the underdog, he eschewed the more famous British marques such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Aston Martin in favour of Armstrong Siddeley, Singer and Standard Triumph. A stalwart member of various car clubs over the years, he exhibited at numerous events up and down the country. Summed-up by his loved ones as ‘one of the life’s true gentlemen’, David Lucas remains much missed.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737