In the late 1940s, Europe was rebuilding itself in the aftermath of war. Military need had accelerated technological advancements across diverse walks of life, from aviation to household goods and from communication to mobility.
The original Land Rover followed a similar path to existence. Inspired by a US Army Jeep, the Land Rover was true to its name. From agricultural run-abouts to transportation for royalty on their massive estates, the Land Rover proved its utility many times over. Closer to home, Land Rover Series 1s found their way in the Middle East, carrying out crucial work with defense forces, law enforcement and even laying power and telephone lines.
Fast forward to today, it’s rare to see a Series Land Rover out and about in Dubai. Most of them have been squirreled away into collections or museums where they live charmed, if stationary lives. Dedicated car enthusiast Oliver Craig and his 1951 Series 1 Land Rover beg to differ.
The Craig stable currently houses some rather tasteful machinery including a V8 Vantage, a bright orange Exige 240S and the Land Rover, all of which are supported by his daily driven Defender 110. However, all of them pale in comparison to his company vehicle – a commercial airliner.
When he’s not flying, the Land Rover gets as much exercise as possible. The military green machine has also been blessed with an engine from a later model with most of its less pleasant quirks sorted out. For the rest, Ollie – who is handy with a wrench - has taken apart major components of his car, becoming intimately familiar with how things work.
So how does it drive?
At a surprisingly rapid pace off-road, as I found out! With tyres deflated all the way and low range selected, the plucky Land Rover made short work of the mild desert course we had selected, without getting stuck once. A firm grasp of the grab bar was necessary as Ollie skillfully wielded the school bus-sized steering wheel, quickly taming short dunes and medium inclines. There were no squeaks and no rattles, just the sound of the four-cylinder revving away as we disturbed the crisp desert air. The Jaeger gauges worked beautifully, displaying accurate readings for oil pressure and water temperature. In fact, it all just works.
Solidly constructed in the 1950s, restored by the previous owner in the 2000s and perfected by Ollie ever since, this Series 1 is living the life that it was designed for. Grocery runs, camping trips, puddle crossings and photo sessions are all part of this machine’s resume, and it’ll only continue to grow if Mr. Craig has anything to say about it.
This article first appeared in Issue 006 of the Petrolicious Post
