jaguar land rover finds and restores original 4x4 that was missing for over 60 years

at the 1948 amsterdam motor show, three pre-production prototypes were shown. one of them, bought in the 60s, spent decades corroding in a welsh field and decades more aging in a garden, the way beautiful machinery often does. but now, 70 years later, after months of researching archives, experts at jaguar land rover classic have confirmed — the galvanized chassis, the removable rear tub, thicker aluminum alloy body panels — it’s her. jaguar land rover will mark its 70th anniversary with a series of events and celebrations in 2018, beginning with the restoration of this lost vehicle that started it all.

all images courtesy of jaguar land rover

previous owners of this historic vehicle are receiving invites to jaguar land rover’s classic works facility to share their experiences and to witness her loving restoration. the year long mission will preserve everything, even the original light green paint, applied in 1948.

according to tim hannig, jaguar land rover classic director, ‘this land rover is an irreplaceable piece of world automotive history and is as historically important as ‘huey’, the first pre-production land rover. beginning its sympathetic restoration here at classic works, where we can ensure it’s put back together precisely as it’s meant to be, is a fitting way to start land rover’s 70th anniversary year.’ follow the full story on instagram @landroverukpr.