When Maurice Wilks, Rover's chief designer, came up with a plan to produce a light agricultural utility vehicle in 1947 he would have no idea that his design would become an icon and launch a whole new industry sector.

The original Land Rover was presented in Sage Green with a canvas roof and revolutionised rural transport.

As an engineering marvel it can still outstrip its modern counterparts, and the Series I rightly belongs in the Motoring Hall of Fame.

Hugely successful globally, improvements were made throughout the long lifespan of the Landy.

In 1950, the lights were moved from a position behind the grille to protrude through the mesh, in 1952 a larger 2-litre petrol engine replaced the original 1.6-litre and the wheelbase was extended to 86" in 1955 to offer more stability and greater load capacity.

The strong, reliable 2-litre petrol engine was standard until 1957 when, with the introduction of the Series II, a diesel engine was offered as an alternative.

This right-hand...