Hi all, a new member here - owned a swb series 3 many moons ago but currently Land Roverless - I have the possibility of purchasing a rather unusual series 1 vehicle (86 inch, 1955) that is definitely in project condition. It looks like a tree fell on it in 1978. Anyway, I am not very sure what it is but after a little searching I found a photo of a very similar one (although in much better condition, see below). I think it may be a series 1 Tickford but am not sure. It has the same split windscreen, hard top, wind screen wipers mounted from above, side indicators positioned near roof level. The one I am looking at was red, but now has peeling green paint, it also has a roof rack with wooden slats. As I said it is in very poor condition with a crushed roof - I have not seen the engine, but I know it was taken off the road in 1978 and may not have been used since. My questions are:
1) what is it?
2) what is a reasonable purchase price?
I have looked up in LRO international the price guide for a 1955 series 1 86 inch and they are between 4200 and 4500 pounds, but this seems rarer. Any ideas would be really appreciated!

Do not know what that is but it is not a Tickford. They have one piece screens and side lamps on the bulkhead. The rear body style also differs with larger window area. I have seen before hard top conversions of rag top series one's made by aftermarket suppliers. This may be something similar.

It is definitely not a Tickford because they were only built on 80” chassis and were not built after 1950 (I think) , they proved to be too expensive to buy and had a limited market . I would agree with the suggestion that it was a hard top conversion , probably done professionally , and not necessarily in this country . It is left hand drive , isn’t it ?

It is certainly rare/unusual and would attract a lot of attention where ever it went . It is not as attractive as a Tickford but worth having all the same . Like any other Series One Land Rover the price will be partly dependent on the condition of the chassis and bulkhead as they will be the most expensive bits to repair/replace and being bespoke could add massively to the final bill . It is a difficult one to price as there is nothing to compare it with , so any where between £5,000-£10,000 would not be unreasonable . It would also depend on what the vendor thinks it is worth , because if they have unrealistic expectations then your job of getting it at a reasonable price is a bit trickier.

I would guess you want to keep details close to your chest until you have made the purchase , but the people on this forumhttp://www.lrsoc.com/forum/index.php are way more knowledgeable than I am.

More photos of the interior would be very helpful . Good luck . If you do buy it you will need deep pockets to sort it out .

Having looked through my photos I came across these two I took in 2015 at the Series One Club rally in Ashbourne . I think there are quite a few similarities ,which would suggest that it was made in Scandinavia , I think Norway . There is a name for it , but I can’t think of it at the moment . I shall do a bit of research . If it is the same then it is definitely worth trying to get .

Pick up looks nice. Land Rover made a very similar prototype cab for the 107/109 pickup but it was never put into production.

Can you get a photo of the actual one?

As it is not a Normal Series 1 it'll go for more money.
If anyone knows it'll be the guy who runs this collection.
http://www.dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/

Many thanks for all the replies so far - very helpful. So yes it is LHD and I have some pictures of the exterior and interior, but none of the engine bay. It does look a lot like the green pick up in Remora107's post but it's a station wagon version. Be interesting to get a name for the version and I guess you are right
Stanleysteamer if it's rarer it may be worth more. But as you can see it's in terrible condition so deep pockets and plenty of time, skill and attention would be needed I expect....

Mystery solved . I think . It is a GRIP Kaross built in Sweden . http://www.lrsoc.com/forum/index.php?topic=18014.0

It is rare and , to me , highly desirable . Has the vendor given you any indication how much he/she wants ?

The big dent in the roof looks like a lot of work to sort out , but I’m sure it is doable . I would certainly go for it if you can get it for sensible money , I’m pretty sure you could move it on if it proves too much for you .

I would get the deal done before going too public , just in case . Then I recommend you join the Land Rover Series One Club and their Forum . You will undoubtedly get a lot of useful help, if you need or want it , and hopefully you will bring it along to one of their rallies for others to see . It would be very much of interest to many people before and after the restoration work was done . It would be appreciated if you took loads of photos as the work was being done and then it would be hoped that you would do an article or two for either the Club magazine or one of the Land Rover magazines .

I hope you get it .

Thanks - yes I think you solved it. I read a little about the company and the modifications they did - not sure how the sale will go but I'll post the outcome in due course. many thanks for everyone's input!