The Land Rover One Ten, which later became known as the Land Rover Defender was announced
Thursday 10th March 1983 The Land Rover One Ten, which later became known as the Land Rover Defender was announced.
Maurice Wilks (59), the automotive engineer responsible for the inspiration and concept work that led to the development of the Land Rover off-road utility vehicle, died
Sunday 8th September 1963 Maurice Wilks (59), the automotive engineer responsible for the inspiration and concept work that led to the development of the Land Rover off-road utility vehicle, died. At the time of his death he was the chairman of the Rover Company. Born in 1904 Maurice Carey Wilks was educated at Malvern and…
The 15 thieves involved in the Great Train Robbery, one of the most famous heists of all time, escaped in an ex-British Army truck and two stolen Land Rover four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicles, making off with some $7 million in stolen loot
Thursday 8th August 1963 The 15 thieves involved in the Great Train Robbery, one of the most famous heists of all time, escaped in an ex-British Army truck and two stolen Land Rover four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicles, making off with some $7 million in stolen loot. The mastermind of the Great Train Robbery was Bruce…
The Land Rover Series II was officially released to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Land Rover launch date
Wednesday 30th April 1958 The Land Rover Series II was officially released to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Land Rover launch date. It came in 88 in (2,200 mm) and 109 in (2,800 mm) wheelbases (normally referred to as the ‘SWB’ and ‘LWB’). This was the first Land Rover to receive the attention…
The first ‘For Sale’ Series II Land Rover vehicles rolled off the production line
Friday 14th March 1958 The first ‘For Sale’ Series II Land Rover vehicles rolled off the production line. The regular model had a 2-litre petrol engine and cost £640.
The Land Rover was officially launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show
Friday 30th April 1948 The Land Rover was officially launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show. Brothers Maurice and Spencer Wilks, developed the vehicle as a result of a conversation about Maurice’s American 4×4. Realising the gap in the British market for such a vehicle, they quickly produced a prototype out of aluminium and steel, metals…
The Rover Board sanctioned the production of an ‘all-purpose vehicle on the lines of the Wills-Overland Jeep’ – the Land Rover
Thursday 4th September 1947 The Rover Board sanctioned the production of an ‘all-purpose vehicle on the lines of the Wills-Overland Jeep’ – the Land Rover. It was agreed to build 25 vehicles for evaluation, although this was later extended to 50. The Land Rover’s body was made of more expensive aluminium because steel was still…
Administrators announced that BL had been sold to Nanjing Automobile, indicating that their preliminary plans involved relocating the Powertrain engine plant to China and splitting car production into Rover lines in China and MG lines in the West Midlands (though not necessarily at Longbridge), where a UK R&D and technical facility would also be developed
Friday 22nd July 2005 Administrators announced that BL had been sold to Nanjing Automobile, indicating that their preliminary plans involved relocating the Powertrain engine plant to China and splitting car production into Rover lines in China and MG lines in the West Midlands (though not necessarily at Longbridge), where a UK R&D and technical facility…
Following England’s victory over Denmark MG Rover Group employees were given an extra day’s holiday to watch England play Brazil
Friday 21st June 2002 Following England’s victory over Denmark MG Rover Group employees were given an extra day’s holiday to watch England play Brazil.
Sir Austin Bide retired as Chairman of Rover Group Plc (formerly British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd), with Canadian-born Graham Day as his successor
Wednesday 5th March 1986 Sir Austin Bide retired as Chairman of Rover Group Plc (formerly British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd), with Canadian-born Graham Day as his successor.