A 64-YEAR-OLD Land Rover sold for thousands at a recent auction writes Paul Jones.

Charterhouse hosted the event, an auction of classic and vintage cars, on Sunday (February 9), at the Royal Bath & West Showground, near Shepton Mallet.

And the meticulously restored Land Rover was among the highlights - selling for a whopping £17,000.

“It was easy to see why it was well admired during the viewing day,” said Matthew Whitney, from Charterhouse.

Somerset County Gazette:

“It underwent a meticulous restoration programme which resulted in the 64-year-old Landy looking better than when it rolled off the production line.”

Finished in bronze green and with original military specification split-rim wheels it is now ready for another half century of service, he said.

With this being a Series I Land Rover it is the eldest relation to the newly unveiled Land Rover Defender.

Somerset County Gazette:

However, whereas the new Defender will come with many items as standard, the 1956 model sold by Charterhouse was a no-frills basic utility vehicle. The equivalent entry level new Land Rover Defender has a starting price of just over £43,000.

Whether the new Defender will be a classic like the Series in years to come, only time will tell.

Charterhouse is now accepting entries for their busy programme of auctions including classic and vintage cars in April, a two day collectors auction of medals, coins, model cars, trains, toys, dolls and stamps, running on March 5 and 6, with Asian Art, pictures and sporting items on April 2 and 3.

For more information, contact Richard Bromell at Charterhouse on 01935 812277, or email info@charterhouse-auction.com.

READ MORE: Machinery up for grabs at massive auction in Somerset