Landrover Styling - over fifty years

**JDNSW** · 14th February 2010, 11:18 AM

A thought occurred to yesterday.

The first time a stylist looked at a Landrover was in 1956 when David Bache was asked to look at possible changes to the styling of the Landrover, with substantial revisions planned to counter the anticipated competition of the Austin Gipsy.

The styling introduced as a result, when the Series 2 went on sale in April 1958 has continued ever since, with quite minor modifications -

1969 Late Series 2a moved the headlights out to the mudguards.
1971 Series 3 had very minor changes, mainly door and windscreen hinges and a different grille.
1979 Stage 1 moved the grill forward to the front of the mudguards and a different grille
1983 110 axle positions changed, flares to cover wider axles.
1984 Windup windows on hardtop, cab, wagon.
1987 Changed door locks, dropped galvanised trim
1993? Ribs disappeared from hardtop roof
2007 Hump in bonnet to accommodate Puma engine.

And that is about it, ignoring things like changes in colour schemes etc. Although there are few if any panels identical to those in 1958, a significant number are interchangeable, as the shape and size is the same, for example, all doors.

Can anyone think of other cars which have kept the styling virtually unchanged for over fifty years? The obvious one is the VW beetle (1938 - 2003, but in fact they made major changes to it, even introducing a curved windscreen (1973), which changed the whole shape of the body.

John

**V8Ian** · 14th February 2010, 11:27 AM

Morris Minor and Kenworth trucks spring to mind.

**dmdigital** · 14th February 2010, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

1993? Ribs disappeared from hardtop roof
2007 Hump in bonnet to accommodate Puma engine

2007 Hump in bonnet to accommodate Puma engine, plastic front wheel arches , steel door skins, removed windscreen vents and ... Ribs reappeared in hardtop roof

**JDNSW** · 14th February 2010, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by dm_td5

2007 Hump in bonnet to accommodate Puma engine, plastic front wheel arches , steel door skins, removed windscreen vents and ... Ribs reappeared in hardtop roof

The only one of these noticeable to the casual observer is the hump. The material used for wheel arches or door skins hardly count as styling.

John

**dmdigital** · 14th February 2010, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

The only one of these noticeable to the casual observer is the hump. The material used for wheel arches or door skins hardly count as styling.

John

I'll concede the doors and wheel arches but the roof ribs and the windscreen vents are very apparent.

The other change externally over the years has been the fuel filler and since the Td5 the grill protrudes forward.

Still, one of the best people memories of our round Australia trip last year was the number of times we were approached and they'd say "gee that's in good nick for an old Land Rover". The look on their face when you tell them it's only 12 months old is priceless

**JDNSW** · 14th February 2010, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Morris Minor and Kenworth trucks spring to mind.

I know little about Kenworth trucks, but the Morris Minor only lasted 1948 - 1969, so it is hardly comparable. Perhaps you meant the Morris Mini, which lasted from 1959 to 2000, more like it, but still less than fifty years.

John

**series3** · 14th February 2010, 02:21 PM

Hi John they got rid of the split windscreen as well at some point (110?)\

Sam

**Xtreme** · 14th February 2010, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

PHP Code:


1993? Ribs disappeared from hardtop roof
2007 Hump in bonnet to accommodate Puma engine.

John

Very minor and barely visible, but in 2003 they also introduced small (about 6 to 8mm high and 25 to 30mm wide) ribs pressed into the 'flat' section of the roof.

**V8Ian** · 14th February 2010, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I know little about Kenworth trucks, but the Morris Minor only lasted 1948 - 1969, so it is hardly comparable. Perhaps you meant the Morris Mini, which lasted from 1959 to 2000, more like it, but still less than fifty years.

John

'71 I believe, not 50 years granted, but still a long time for one model.

**JDNSW** · 14th February 2010, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by series3

Hi John they got rid of the split windscreen as well at some point (110?)\

Sam

Yes, I missed noting that.

John

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