A 1959 Land Rover Series II once owned by Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz is heading to auction, and the old 4×4 comes with a handwritten note confirming exactly who used to own it.
The Bring a Trailer listing shows the 109-inch pickup finished in Bronze Green, with bidding open until August 27. The sale also includes a portrait signed by Craig and a note from the couple saying they were sad to let it go and asking the next owner to take care of it.
Beyond the celebrity connection, this is a wonderfully traditional old Land Rover. Its 2.25-litre four-cylinder engine was factory-rated at 77hp and 124lb-ft of torque, sending power through a four-speed manual gearbox and dual-range transfer case. A floor-mounted RoverDrive overdrive system adds a little extra flexibility.
A few updates have been made over the years without changing the basic character. The engine recently received a Carter carburettor and electronic ignition, along with a replacement generator and various new seals. The removed Solex carburettor and original ignition parts are included with the sale.
Outside, there is a rope winch, bonnet-mounted spare wheel and an Exmoor Trim canvas cover over the bed. Chunky Cooper Discoverer STT tyres sit on 16-inch steel wheels, and the leaf springs have recently been rebuilt.
The cabin keeps things just as simple, with three individual seats reupholstered in tan vinyl, sliding windows and three-point seatbelts for the outer passengers.
One number worth ignoring is the 3,800 miles showing on the odometer. The seller makes clear that the reading is inaccurate, so the Land Rover’s true mileage is unknown.
Motor1 initially picked up the auction when bidding sat at $15,000, but the live listing has since climbed to $18,500 with 14 bids at the time of writing.
The final price could still move before the auction ends. Even without the celebrity provenance, this is a charming old Series II, but its handwritten connection to a former James Bond gives it a story few classic Land Rovers can match.
Opinion
Classic Land Rover’s have no shortage of interest on the second-hand market, but throw in this particular celebrity connection and this one could go over the odds.
Craig’s James Bond is an iconic symbol of British culture, and so too is the Land Rover. The two entities coming together on this model might make it a must-have for collectors of old, British memorabilia.
