BUYER’S GUIDE
Craig Allen takes a closer look at ex-military Land Rovers and explains what makes a good choice for the enthusiast
As an entry vehicle for military enthusiasts, an ex-army Land Rover makes a lot of sense.
Practical, affordable and with unrivalled spares back up, they are easy to restore and maintain. They also make excellent tow vehicles if you need to trailer another classic to and from events. So, given all of this, what should you be looking for in today’s market and which models make for the best buys? Read on.
Series One and II
The British military has used the Land Rover from the very earliest days, with the Series One which was originally intended merely to supplement the purpose-built Austin Gipsy. It soon took over as the light vehicle of choice, cheaper and simpler to maintain while equally robust and capable off-road. So began a partnership that has endured to this day with soldiers and Land Rovers naturally going together.
Available as a soft or hardback, they were used by all three services for decades so there are lots still out there to choose from. Series vehicles offer a back-to-basics driving experience with earlier versions lacking synchromesh on first and second g…
