April
20th 1948 Article in
“The Times Newspaper” who were ‘First’ with the story of the
new vehicle called a ‘Land-Rover’. “Britains most versatile commercial vehicle”
April 30th
1948 The “Official Launch Date”
of the Land-Rover 80” (Series I) to the public on the opening day of the
Amsterdam Motor Show. All models had the 1.6 litre
petrol engine
July
1948 The
Land-Rover ‘stumbled’ into production, nearly three months after its
launch.
Autumn
1951 The
2 litre ‘Siamese-Bore’ petrol engine was introduced
September
1953 Introduction of the 86” and 107”
Land-Rover models (Series I)
Autumn
1954 The
2 litre ‘Spread-Bore’ petrol engine was
introduced
Summer
1956 Introduction of the 88” and
109” Land-Rover models (Series I)
June
1957 Land-Rovers first
Diesel Engine, a 2 litre, was introduced
February
1958 Glass’s Guide list the
introduction date, Series II
- SWB
March
1958 Glass’s
Guide list the introduction date, Series II - LWB
March
14th 1958 First “For
Sale” Series II Vehicles produced on the line
April 1958 End of (Series I) production.
Land-Rover Owners Club ‘Review’ of the new Series II
April
9th 1958 Article in
“The Times” newspaper” on the new Series II
April
16th 1958 Article in
“Motor” magazine on the new Series II
April
18th 1958 Article in “Autocar” magazine on the new Series II
April
30th 1958 The “Official Launch Date” of the Series II to
coincide with the 10th
Anniversary of the ‘Land-Rover’ launch date. An 88”
Regular model with a
2 litre petrol engine
cost £640.
A new 2.25 litre petrol
engine and the old (Series I) 2 litre Diesel engine were
available.
(88” models retained the old 2 litre
petrol engine until the late summer of 1958)
October 1958 Series
II 109” Station Wagon now in production. A
basic model with the
2.25 litre
Petrol engine cost £730 (+£20 for the De Luxe model).
Diesel models cost an extra £80 or £90
August
31st 1961 End of Series II production
September 1st
1961 Start
of Series IIA production. A new 2.25 litre
Diesel engine was also introduced
September 1962 Series IIA 109”
Forward Control ‘Launched’ at the London, Commercial Motor Show. Available
only with the 2.25 litre petrol engine
March 1963 Introduction of the ‘Six Cylinder’
2.6 litre petrol engine for forward controls, officially
for Export only
April
1964 The
apron panel changed from the ‘Flat’ type to a simpler ‘Curved’ type
April
1965 Foam filled seats
replaced the older style sprung ones
September
1965 Plastic steering wheel replaced
the previous ‘spring-spoke’ type
September 1966 Series IIB 110”
Forward Control introduced. Home models used 2.6 litre 6 cyl petrol or 2.25 litre diesel.
Export models use 2.25 litre petrol engine.
May 1967 Dashboard now ‘Black’ instead
of body colour. Engine now key started. Single motor
cable rack windscreen wipers. Larger cranked handbake. Zenith carb
superseded the Solex unit. 2.6 litre
6 cyl petrol engine now available in regular bonneted
models
August 31st 1967 First order
from the British Army for the 88” – ‘Half Ton GS’ (Lightweight) model
October
1968 Black upholstery trim
replaced the original Grey trim.
June 1969 Headlights moved from the
grille panel into the wings on all models. The 109”
‘One Ton’ model was introduced
August 31st 1971 ‘Official’ end
of Series IIA production, but continued to produce the 109” Petrol,
Forward Control
and Lightweight models well into 1972
September
1st 1971 Start of Series
III production
February 1979 Launch
of the ‘Stage One V8’ - 109” model
March 1983 Launch
of the ‘One Ten’ coil sprung models at the Geneva Motor Show to be produced
alongside Series III
June 1984 Launch
of the ‘Ninety’ coil sprung models
September 1985 Series
III production ceased. Although Ninety and One Ten models were in production, the
Series III continued to be made up to September 1985, mainly for overseas
orders.