Land Rover Series I (HVS 482)
This artwork captures a 1951 Series I 80in in one of its most evocative and iconic forms — windscreen folded flat, three seats lined up across the front, and its weather-beaten bronze-green body proudly displaying every scrape, dent, and patch of patina earned over decades of real use. Presented in bold contemporary watercolour, the splashes of deep aubergine, burnt orange, and violet bring energy and movement to the composition, echoing the vitality and playful ruggedness of the vehicle itself.
Working with Motodrome, who have handled this car as part of their wonderfully eclectic collection, I wanted to honour not just an object of automotive history, but a machine with personality — one that demands to be driven with a smile and, in this open-screen configuration, a pair of driving goggles for good measure. The soft drips and washes across the ground layer hold the piece in a sense of motion, as though the Series I 80in has simply paused between adventures.
What makes the Series I 80in truly special is the purity of its design. As the original Land Rover introduced in 1948, it was engineered with simplicity and utility at its core:
- A lightweight, box-section chassis and tough aluminium body panels built to withstand harsh conditions.
- The later 2 litre petrol engine paired with selectable four-wheel drive.
- A narrow track, upright driving position, and deliberately austere controls that emphasise function over comfort.
- The instantly recognisable flat front wings, classic metal grille, and agricultural but charming steering feel that make it unlike anything else to drive today.
This piece celebrates the Series I not as a museum relic but as a living, breathing companion to the roads and fields it once worked. Its imperfections become its beauty; its simplicity becomes its character. The three-seat layout, the folded windscreen, the exposed wiper motor — all are reminders of a time when ingenuity, durability, and a sense of fun defined what a vehicle could be.
Through this contemporary watercolour interpretation, my intention is to preserve that character, honour its quirks, and share the joy of a truly iconic machine that still invites adventure.
