In 1948, the first production examples of the Rover Company’s latest offering began making their way to customers around the world, quickly establishing a global presence for the new Land Rover and an accompanying reputation for ruggedness and reliability thanks to its “go anywhere” attitude and build quality. The off-roader’s iconic reputation remained largely intact over the seven decades that followed and, despite huge technological advancements in recent years, appetite for those pure, early examples that kick-started the passion is at an all-time high.

Keen to offer an enticing juxtaposition to its high-end contemporary offerings, Jaguar Land Rover launched the Land Rover Reborn programme in 2016. The scheme was aimed at initially producing just 25 Series I vehicles that had each been fully restored to factory fresh condition by the Land Rover Classic division.

Originally dispatched on 10 July 1951, this particular 80-inch model was exported to Australian distributors, Annand & Thompson in Brisbane, and was fitted with the Rover Company’s four-cylinder, 1,595-cc petrol engine.

With the initial deposit for a ‘Reborn’ vehicle having been taken in 2017, Land Rover Classic’s meticulous restoration of this now repatriated Series I could begin and although an exact timescale of works is not included, the completed example, which is finished to an exemplary standard, was delivered to The Dean Kronsbein Collection in early 2020.

Jaguar Land Rover paperwork confirms a number of additional extras and customer-specified upgrades, including leather-trimmed seats in both the front and rear of the vehicle, inclusion of a passenger-side windscreen wiper and motor, and a Clayton cabin heater. All ‘brightwork’ was galvanised during the restoration and the bodywork painted in Bronze Green which, when paired with the as-new tan-coloured full canvas tilt, provides an iconic look for this classic off-roader.

With a no-expense-spared restoration completed by the very company who launched the Land Rover to the world in 1948, this is a rare opportunity to own one of a very limited number of ‘Reborn’ vehicles.