John Craddock Ltd Magazine (May 2023)
When it comes to collecting rare items – coins, jewellery, books and even fridge magnets are the most common items Brits tend to collect. On a much larger scale, it’s not uncommon for people to collect classic cars, they are often their most valuable and cherished possession. There is truly something extraordinary and historic about owning a collection of rare classic Land Rovers.
As Land Rover enthusiasts ourselves, we are quite intrigued about the rarest classic Land Rovers in the world. In this article, we will discuss just that. Continue reading to learn more about some of the rarest classic Land Rovers in the world!
Series I 86” & 88” SAS Vehicles
There are only two genuine SAS Series I vehicles known to still exist. In the 1950’s, ten of these vehicles were manufactured including a prototype, which was on an 86” wheelbase, while the other nine SAS vehicles were on 88”. According to sources, the surviving 86” SAS vehicle was struck off charge in 1967 and today, it belongs to a private collection. The surviving 88” SAS vehicle was in service from 1957 to around 1967. Today, it is known as one of the most popular cars as part of the Dunsfold Collection (the largest collection of Land Rovers in the world!).
Series IIa Forest Rover
An exceptionally rare model, the Series IIa Forest Rover was built by Roadless Traction Ltd of Hounslow in 1958 and 1959, in response to the Forestry Commission’s need for a vehicle that would be able to withstand the roughest of terrain within their grounds. Inspired by the Series II 109, a diesel-engine prototype was produced, with large flat panels replacing the front wings and rear tractor-type mudguards to cover the over-sized wheels.
However, the Forest Rover was not a huge success, as we believe there were only between 9 and 20 of them ever built. Only 6 of those are said to remain, including the prototypes, being spread across the world with models in Brazil, the Falkland Islands and also in the Dunsfold Collection.
1981 Range Rover ‘In Vogue’
The Range Rover ‘In Vogue’ was Land Rover’s first vehicle in the world of luxury and fashion. Land Rover partnered with Vogue magazine, in order to create a buzz around new features of their two-door Range Rover. In 1981, an eight-page feature called ‘Rendez-vous a Biarritz’ was released in the March issue of the Vogue magazine, featuring the original Range Rover ‘In Vogue’ vehicle, alongside the new Jaeger spring fashion collection.
After the issue was released, a limited number of these In Vogue vehicles were produced and sold across the UK and the world, all of which were almost replicas of the original car used in the advert. The original car came in a limited edition metallic Vogue blue colour with two-tone pinstripe coachlines on the waist, high-compression engine, polished walnut door capping, air conditioning, a radio cassette player and, of course, the most well-known feature, the picnic hamper. Unfortunately, many of these rare picnic hamper sets have become untraceable from being sold on.
Rare And Classic Land Rover Parts From John Craddock
For every rare classic Land Rover vehicle, a Land Rover parts specialist is required to keep it in its best original condition. Our founder, John Craddock, had a particular interest in collecting rare and classic car parts for a wide range of Land Rover vehicles. When he saw the demand for them, he started his business in 1970 and today, it is known as the world’s leading Land Rover parts, spares and accessories supplier.
If you own a rare classic Land Rover model and are in search of a reliable Land Rover parts specialist, look no further than John Craddock Ltd. We have an extensive range of genuine parts for Series, Freelander and Defender variations to Range Rover and Discovery models. Feel free to browse our full online catalogue for Land Rover parts, spares and accessories. If you are looking for more information on our products or perhaps, you can’t find what you are looking for, please contact us.
In our May 2023 magazine, we cover some of the rarest and most unique Land Rovers in the world.
