Landmark Land-Rovers at London Concours

By Ryan Standen

| 16 May 2023

Classic & Sports Car – Landmark Land-Rovers coming to London Concours

From a pre-production prototype to a Series One with a royal connection, a class of significant Land-Rovers has been announced for next month’s London Concours.

The Cars That Built Land Rover will showcase a variety of notable models from the marque’s history in the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company, in central London, on 6-8 June 2023.

They will form part of a 100-strong display of classic cars, alongside the previously confirmed categories, Built To Race For The Road for homologation specials, a Grand Tourisme division for French classic cars, a class charting the evolution of aerodynamic design in road cars, plus a Golden Age Coupés group for legendary designs from the 1950s and ’60s.

There will also be a special showcase for 60 years of Lamborghini and one for the Porsche RS.

Pre-Production L07 was found in a garden in Birmingham

One of the Land-Rover models on display at London Concours will be Pre-Production L07.

It was one of the cars used at the Land-Rover’s Amsterdam motor show debut in 1948, providing demonstration rides for visitors.

L07’s whereabouts were unknown for decades, before it reappeared in 2016 in a garden near the Solihull factory where it was built.

Now it’s been restored and is sure to draw a crowd.

Oxford was the first team to complete the expedition in 1954

Another landmark Land-Rover heading to the Honourable Artillery Company is an early Series One that completed the Trans-Africa Expedition in 1954.

The 25,000-mile journey was tackled by teams from Oxford and Cambridge universities. It proved that the Land-Rover was capable of dealing with the most challenging terrains.

It will be joined by another Series One, this time one that belonged to the British royal family.

This 1953 example was delivered to Balmoral and became a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II, who enjoyed it across the estate, often with her husband, before it was sold in 1966.

Since then, it’s been restored and it made an appearance at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

Driven by Queen Elizabeth II, this Series One Land-Rover was delivered to Balmoral

The Series One Landies will be accompanied by a 1965 Series II, once owned by Spencer Wilks, who co-founded Land-Rover with his brother Maurice.

A Land Rover Defender 90 Wolf belonging to the Honourable Artillery Company will also be on display.

Released in 1998, the Defender 90 Wolf was deployed widely by the British Army for patrol duties.

Visit London Concours from 6-8 June 2023

“Land Rover is a British institution that has made a lasting impression on car fans across the world, and there are few brands that elicit such passion, particularly when it comes to its earliest models,” said Andrew Evans, London Concours Director.

“We are honoured that visitors to the 2023 London Concours will have the chance to get up close to a collection of its pioneering machines thanks to the Cars That Built Land Rover class”.

The London Concours will return to the Honourable Artillery Company, in the heart of the British capital, from 6-8 June 2023.

And remember, Classic & Sports Car readers can enjoy our exclusive 2-for-1 ticket offer.

Images: London Concours

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