The Little Book Of Land Rover - Book review by Maggie Woods

“There is nothing small about the Land
Rover, but somehow the essence of this
go-anywhere vehicle that has become
something of a British institution has
been shoehorned perfectly into a rather
neat package called The Little Book Of
Land Rover...”

THE LAND ROVER'S ORIGINS WERE SET FIRMLY in the muck-and-bullets environment of the Second World War with the American-built Willys General Purpose vehicle which became the GP, then the Jeep, and led the field in the manufacture of utility vehicles.

After the war, in 1948, the brothers Spencer and Maurice Wilks took their cue from the rugged capabilities of the Willys but introduced the Series I Land Rover as an innovative, British design specifically for farm and light industrial use — the birth of a legend.

However, it was soon realised that there would be buyers who would want the Land Rover for its uniqueness but would be looking for a considerably improved interior. In 1949 the Station Wagon was launched, featuring leather seats and a heater.

And now, sixty years later, the Land Rover is a much-loved icon of the country set and those who appreciate its practical, off-road capabilities. We have also seen a number of changes to the Land Rover and the introduction of the Range Rover (in 1970), Defender, Discovery and the Freelander — the best-selling four-by-four in Europe for ten years.

The Little Book Of Land Rover takes you through the various incarnations of the Land Rover throughout its fascinating history, using period photographs and beautiful colour images — including shots of the Land Rover on duty with the army in the desert and in action on the expedition trail.

A wonderful, easy-to-navigate pocket-book, The Little Book Of Land Rover comes at the 60th anniversary landmark of the iconic vehicle. We are taken on a trip down a wet, bumpy and muddy Memory Lane back to the birth of the four-by-four that has driven straight into the nation's hearts — a true British achievement.

A great little hardback book with 128 pages packed with interesting facts and images that demonstrate how, since its conception, more than four million Land Rovers have been sold worldwide. The Land Rover has become an instantly recognisable icon around the globe and has spawned a number of specialised models. The book also includes a section on facts and trivia and features a beautiful, bright orange concept called The Range Stormer.

• The Little Book Of Land Rover by Charlotte Morgan with Stan Fowler is out now, published by Green Umbrella in hardback. ISBN: 978-1-906229-10-8 RRP: Ł6.99. Green Umbrella books are available through gupublishing.co.uk.

"There is nothing small about the Land Rover, but somehow the essence of this go-anywhere vehicle that has become something of a British institution has been shoehorned perfectly into a rather neat package called The Little Book Of Land Rover" — MotorBar

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