Making its debut in 1948, the Land Rover emerged in postwar England as one of the most rugged and capable vehicles ever built. With alloy bodies and four-wheel drive, they were adaptable to all types of terrain, wet or dry. The early Land Rovers have become iconic the world over, and in celebration, the factory sanctioned 25 fortunate examples to be comprehensively restored within the factory grounds, both cosmetically and mechanically, to as-close-to-new condition as possible. The exacting nature of the photo-documented effort lavished on the “Reborn” Series I Land Rovers is difficult to overstate, and the results are truly fascinating to explore.

The pristine example presented here is the 24th of the 25 vehicles restored in the series, and is one of just two left-hand-drive examples in the group. It was delivered to a police department in Belgium in 1952 and has been “reborn” in its original livery. Beginning in October 2017, each component was expertly restored to its original appearance and function, and when complete the following year, the vehicle was given the moniker “Belgium Gendarmerie” (Guard of the Belgian Realm). With only limited mileage since its completion, this Land Rover has been on a regular maintenance schedule to preserve its restoration. The vehicle is complete with a tool roll and a 117-page hardbound book documenting the restoration. Worthy of a place in the finest collections, this fascinating Land Rover Series I has left the craftsmen of Solihull for the second time, ready for its next 75 years of adventure.