Land Rover 1961 Series II 88in (618 XUF)
This artwork celebrates the Land Rover Series II — an enduring symbol of British utility design — through the language of contemporary watercolour. Working directly with Motodrome, whose expertise in eclectic classic vehicles provides rare access to historically significant examples, I aim to translate the mechanical honesty of these machines into expressive, modern visual narratives.
The Series II is defined by its unmistakable forms: the softly rounded shoulders of the front wings, the inset wire-mesh grille, the upright, squared-off windscreen, and the iconic “barrel-side” bodywork that gives the vehicle its characteristic stance. These shapes, forged for function rather than flourish, become almost sculptural when isolated against a minimal white field.
In this piece, the car sits grounded in a wash of deep purples and rusted browns, echoing the earth and work for which it was built. The skyward blues and salmon pinks behind it introduce an emotional counterpoint — a suggestion of open landscapes, early starts, and long roads travelled. The controlled use of drips and fluid pigments evokes motion, history, and the passage of time, while retaining a bold clarity that honours the Series II’s rugged geometry.
My intent is to frame this Land Rover not just as a vehicle, but as an artefact of resilience and cultural identity. The painting becomes a portrait: of engineering that endures, of journeys embedded in metal and memory, and of Motodrome’s ongoing stewardship of these remarkable vehicles.
This particular vehicle started life with the Berkshire and Reading Fire Service (hence the crests on the doors), based in Maidenhead for it's first ten years, before moving to Heathrow Airport as a fire truck. It has passed through Motodrome's hands more than once and remains one of the most authentically correct series II models still extent.
