1988 Pre-production Discovery 1 – the oldest survivor

Chassis number: SALLJGBV8EA329069

Registration number: B62 COH

Engine type: 3.5 V8 EFI

Gearbox type: 5 Speed

Vehicle spec:
This is the oldest surviving Pre-production Discovery and was built in 1988. It was registered as an ‘Austin’ in March 1988 with the number B62 COH. Research by James Taylor and Robin Craig confirms that the vehicle was known as Jay 5 on the engineering fleet and was used for cold climate trials in Canada.

It was registered by Jaguar Canada Inc on 17 November 1988 with the number 968 FPP (identified as a Rover two-door sedan or coupé). The plates were removed, presumably after testing was over, on 13 December 1989. 

In its testing days it would have had body camouflage while on the road and it is known that Discovery prototypes including this one had a shell which was fitted over the roof to hide the raised section and the distinctive side windows, as well as matt black painted around the headlamps and bonnet to break up the lines of the body, and Range Rover-style wheels.

We also have the last-off-line Discovery 1 in the Collection, meaning we have the oldest and the youngest Discovery 1 vehicles.