Rover launched the Land Rover at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show. They displayed three examples: one indoors on the stand, and two outside demonstrating the new machine’s remarkable abilities. All three were pre-production prototypes; different in detail specification to what emerged when production commenced.

The vehicle modelled was one of the demonstrators, although it was then left-hand drive. After the show, it was allocated to Jack Swain’s Engine Department, converted to right-hand drive and used to test engine updates. It was retained by Rover, driven on trade plates, until 1955 when it was sold to a local buyer, Mr Smith, and given the Solihull number plate SNX 910.

Thereafter, L07 had numerous owners in the Midlands and lived in Alvechurch Worcestershire for 20 years from 1968. By 2016, it was back in Solihull, sunk up to its axles in mud, awaiting a restoration. The owner offered L07 and another Series 1 to a Land Rover specialist. A friend of his spotted some of the unique prototype features in the pictures he showed him, and it was acquired by Jaguar Land Rover Classic in 2017. They were amazed by how original the vehicle was, and displayed it at Mell Square, Solihull, as part of Land Rover’s 70th anniversary celebrations.

It was then mechanically restored by JLR Classic, who left the bodywork in its patinated state as it tells the vehicle’s incredible story.

We’ve only made 1,000 of these limited edition die-cast Land Rover Series I 80” 1:43 scale models. Secure your Vanguards model today!

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• Die-Cast Model