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2025 Buick Enclave vs Honda PilotRetro Review: Land Rover Series
The Land Rovers Series family was a groundbreaking vehicle and today its DNA is still embedded in its descendants.
The Start of the Land Rover Brand
Long before cars like the Range Rover Evoque or the Velar, Land Rover wasn’t even a full-fledged brand of its own. Instead, it started out as a single model offered under the Rover brand. Intended to provide the off-road capability and reliability of a Willys Jeep while also affording buyers the practicality of an enclosed passenger compartment, the first three iterations of the Land Rover ended up being the Genesis for what we now know as the entire brand under that name. Here’s a deeper dive into how that first model led to the luxury SUV juggernaut that we know and love today.
Development of the Land Rover Series
British automaker Rover was in a bind. It needed to appeal to the needs of consumers in a post-war economy. To achieve that goal it launched the Land Rover, a model often credited as the first mass-produced four-wheel-drive production vehicle of its kind. Taking inspiration from the American Willys Jeep, the Land Rover Series I (often simply called the Land Rover at the time) launched in 1948.
Mechanical History of the Land Rover Series
Land Rover Series I
Right from the start of production, the Land Rover proved itself to be a very capable vehicle. Aluminum body panels helped to save weight while providing rigidity and a steel box-section frame ensured that the SUV wouldn’t buckle or break under the pressure of long hard days of use. The transfer case even used a freewheel unit which would automatically disengage the front axle at times when it wasn’t needed.
During its first three years of production, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine was the only powertrain available. It made about 50 horsepower and sent that through a four-speed manual transmission and a two-speed transfer case to all four wheels. In 1952, a larger 2.0-liter engine was added to the lineup and finally, a diesel-powered 2.0-liter engine arrived for the Land Rover in 1957.
Throughout its generational span, the Land Rover Series I was innovative in the way it approached cabin design. Not only did it offer more amenities than similar alternative vehicles but Rover was quick to introduce different body styles like a station wagon and later a pickup truck variant. These innovations and the sheer capability of the Land Rover made it a hit in its homeland.
Land Rover Series II
Launched in 1958, the Series II improved on the original design while adding important features that are still entrenched in modern Land Rovers. Under the hood, the 51 horsepower diesel from the Series I was still available but a 2.2-liter four-cylinder gas-burner now made its debut with 70 horsepower and 124 lb-ft of torque.
Externally, the Series II stands out thanks to its “barrel side” belt line curve just below the side windows. In addition, it refined the curved roofline and the safari windows originally seen on the Series I. One small feature that signified its rugged nature was that the grille could even be removed and used over a fire for cooking food.
In 1961, the Land Rover Series IIA was introduced with almost no easily distinguishable differences. A new 2.6-liter gasoline engine was available for some models while a 2.2-liter diesel also made its debut. The same 2.2-liter gasoline four-cylinder soldiered on as the base engine though.
Late in the life of the Series IIA, the headlights were moved from the center area of the grille to the outer section of the front end. That placement was significant and laid the groundwork for the future of Land Rover models.
Land Rover Series III
The final version of the original Land Rover model once again shared much with its preceding generation. Engines nor other drivetrain components changed right away when the Series III was introduced in 1971. What was different was the interior with a new molded plastic dash and a relocated instrument cluster. Just as it had in previous iterations, the Land Rover proved itself to be a highly capable and versatile machine used in a number of different applications.
In 1978, Land Rover became its own brand under British Leyland Motors. As time went on more engines became available. An inline six and then a V8 joined the family in 1979. That V8 was so big that Land Rover had to change the front of the SUV by bumping the nose section out a bit more. That change signaled a big shift towards a more luxurious experience.
In 1982, the Country Station Wagon version was introduced along with plusher trim as Land Rover puts it. By 1984, two models, the Ninety and the One-Ten were in full production. They would go on to be the basis for the long-lauded Defender which would debut in 1990 and supplant the Series III in the Land Rover lineup.
Historical Significance of the Land Rover Series
From its sincerely excellent off-road capability to its shape and external design cues, the Land Rover has clearly passed on its genes to the modern-day lineup. The new Defender has the same squared-off appearance along with round headlights adorned by small indicators. In fact, the Defender is still sold in 90 and 110 trims along with a new 130 three-row version. Safari windows are still a major part of Land Rover design too.
From nose to tail, the original Land Rover Series I, II, and III proved to be a bedrock on which the whole brand could build safely. Adding luxurious features only made it stand out in a group of pretty rough and tumble competition and today very few if any brands can claim to possess both the off-road capability and the comfort level of a Land Rover.
Nothing Quite Like The Old Land Rover
When we look back at the original Land Rover it’s almost comical to see how simply it was made. Exterior door hinges, completely flat body panels, and utilitarian design cues were the focus. Today, that initial approach to dependable usability has grown Land Rover into a brand that builds one smash hit after another. The Defender is rightly praised for its qualities but the entire Range Rover lineup and the Discovery are both worthy of note as well. The automotive world is certainly better off thanks to the plucky little SUV.
