The Ultimate Barn Find – 12 Series Land Rovers in Rural Ireland | Season 5 – Episode 65
Wheels Aug 15, 2025
In March 2025, the Ireland Made – Stories of Irish Transport film crew received a rare invitation: to film a private Land Rover collection hidden deep in rural Ireland. Now, in August 2025, for the first time ever, we’ve been granted permission to share this extraordinary barn-find story with you.
But first, a question: Why do people love Land Rovers and the Series I, II, and III in particular?
Speaking from experience, I can say it’s the blend of rugged off-road capability and uniquely utilitarian design that holds the appeal. These vehicles attract those who value authenticity and a genuine connection to the past. Even decades later, 46 years in the case of my own Series III, it remains perfectly capable of hauling a roof-high load of turf across a muddy bog without complaint, all while looking stylish doing it.
Every one of the Land Rovers in this unique collection carries its own story. Out of the twelve, this author’s favourite is that of the 1956 7-seater CKD (Complete Knocked Down) Station Wagon.
This Dove Grey 107-inch Station Wagon, with alpine lights and a safari roof, was shipped from Solihull, England, to Australia in 1956 as a CKD kit. Its first owner worked it hard on a sheep station for over 20 years, racking up 98,016 miles. When he passed away, the vehicle was stored in a dry shed in 1975, where it sat untouched for the next 30 years. His nephew inherited it, intending to restore it, but never did. Eventually, it went up for sale.
While travelling in Australia, the current owner spotted the listing in a small newspaper ad. Contact was made, a deal struck, and the recovery began. The tyres were pumped, and for the first time in three decades, the Station Wagon rolled into the sunlight. After hours of work, the 1,997cc four-cylinder engine coughed into life. A jerry can was strapped to the roof to feed fuel directly into the carburettor, and in a testament to its robust build quality, it drove an incredible 40 miles along dusty outback roads to meet the low-loader. From there, it was transported to the coast, shipped to Ireland, and joined this remarkable collection in 2005.
This unique private collection features twelve vehicles: alongside the 107-inch Station Wagon are eleven Series Land Rovers from 1951 to 1982, imported from New Zealand and Australia, including 80, 88, 107, and 109-inch Station Wagons and Pickups. It also includes two ultra-rare 1956 Dublin-assembled CKD County Laois Fire Tenders and a 1938 Beresford-Stork pump trailer.
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If you have an idea for a story, please email Kevin Reid at [email protected]
