BUILD BEGINS ON REBORN LANDIES
First 25 are go – Land Rover hints at more £60k Series Is
Land Rover has started to rebuild 25 Series I models under it its new Reborn initiative – and insiders say more of the £60,000 each 4x4s are in the pipeline.
Reborn was announced at TechnoClassica in Essen, Germany on 6-10 April – one year after Jaguar Land Rover launched its Heritage division to offer classic parts and servicing support for UK customers. It’s the first project from Land Rover’s new Heritage Restoration Programme based on the Defender production line at Solihull.
Each of the Series Is has been handpicked by Land Rover’s classic experts and they are now being restored according to original 1948 factory specification and using genuine parts. Each vehicle project can take up to six months to complete.
Asked whether any of the 25 has been pre-sold, Jaguar Land Rover says it has received ‘expressions of interest’ for the initial run of 25 and will continue to source vehicles to restore. A spokesman for JLR adds that the Reborn project will be limited to Series I models, and that there are no current plans to expand to Series II and III Land Rovers or to classic Jaguars.
‘Land Rover will continue its Series I reborn initiative, but it will also accept any commissions from customers that want the company to restore their vehicle back to its original state,’ CCW is informed. ‘The six-month turnaround is due to the restoration team taking time to make sure each project is absolutely perfect.’
Reborn was developed as part of the brand’s commitment to restoring and maintaining prized Land Rovers, as well as providing a platform for parts supply for models that have been out for production for more than 10 years. Customers who secure their Reborn Series I – and there is no indication at this stage how many people have registered ‘expressions of interest’ – will be able to select their preferred base vehicle with the guidance of Land Rover’s 12-strong restoration team. They will also be able to follow the build from start to finish. The vehicles can be finished in Light Green, Bronze Green, RAF Blue, Dove Grey or Poppy Red. Original 1595cc, 1997cc petrol and 2052cc diesel engines can be specified.