Designed by Maurice Wilks in 1947, a Land-Rover rates highly on any list of the world's most significant vehicles, and the earlier - and therefore purer - the better.

By the 1957 model year, during which this example was made, weak points had been ironed out to bring the 4x4 to a specification that would last for decades.

A simple ladder frame chassis, steel bulkhead and rugged square-formed aluminium panels created a strong workhorse for light industrial, countryside and military use alike.

The 88" chassis was offered from mid-1956 model year, in preparation for the diesel variant.

Chassis ‘00850’ was manufactured new on the 10 th October 1956 and despatched on the 6 th December to Halesowen Engineering Works, Worcester for Home Office fitment, as the Land Rover is understood to have been supplied new to the Home Office Fire Services Technical Centre at Moreton-in-Marsh.

Home of firefighting training for the Civil Defence and AFS services (as well as the RAF and others) the site ...