Hang on; have I wandered into an episode of Time Team by mistake?

No, no, you're quite safe; no Tony Robinson or that big scary guy from Somerset with the floppy hat here. This is Land Rover's Solihull production base and it really is still 2015. It's actually a new attraction, part of the public visiting side of the plant, where Land Rover has recreated the production line down which the original Series I model once rolled.

Wow, it looks authentic.

Certainly is, and please, no jokes about 'I hope they've improved the quality standard since then...' The line includes original tools and equipment and anyone working in there is required to wear 1940s style overalls known as 'cow gowns.' There are also displays telling the story of the creation of the original Land Rover, complete with previously unseen home movie footage provided by the family of Land Rover creator Maurice Wilks. This is all, of course, in honour of the fact that this will be the last year of production at Solihull of the iconic Defender. It's not going to be on sale in Europe any more, killed off by emissions and safety regulations. Still, not a bad run for a design that dates back 67 years...

Jaguar Land Rover Heritage Director, John Edwards, says the heritage line will take visitors back to the beginning of the world's most famous 4x4 manufacturer. He said: "Land Rover has a rich heritage based around the Series I and Defender models, and we wanted to create something extra special that would give visitors and enthusiasts a unique insight into how it all started back in 1948."

"It has been a huge task to recreate a production line from almost 70 years ago, from sourcing original parts for the Series I models, to authentically re-creating the working environment and uniform of employees who were here. The team involved has been meticulous in their research, planning and creation of what is a fitting tribute to the legendary heritage of Land Rover."

The company turned to one of the world's leading Land Rover enthusiasts and restorers, and curator of the famous Dunsfold Collection of historic Land Rovers, Phil Bashall, to help create the vehicles for the production line. Phil built his first Series I Land Rover at the age of 13, but admitted he was shocked when Land Rover told him of plans to build a full replica 1948 production line:

"It's been a struggle at times, but a real labour of love to source all of the original parts needed for vehicles that stopped production so many years ago."

Phil had a large number of the 'nuts and bolts' he needed tucked away in his own 'Aladdin's Cave' of Land Rover components - he has amassed over 8,000 original parts - but it was still a long and painstaking search to find all the brakes, clutches, gaskets and pedals required for the exhibit. He enlisted the help of skilled craftsmen and the Land Rover Series I Club to build a replica chassis for the Series I models, along with some of the aluminium bodywork for the vehicles.

Once Phil had collected all of the parts over a period of months, it took him and his mechanic five weeks to build the five Series I models. His guiding light in the challenge and the man who co-ordinated the Celebration Line project is Roger Crathorne. Roger, known simply as 'Mr Land Rover', was born in Solihull and joined Land Rover as an apprentice in 1963. He retired last year having completed more than 50 years' service.

For Roger, seeing the completed exhibit line is a dream come true and the perfect illustration of what makes Land Rover unique in the world of motoring. He said: "No other car maker in the world has anything as authentic and with such meticulous attention to detail as our heritage line. It has taken months of searching and dedication to put this project together, but it has been worth it."

The new Defender factory tour lasts approximately three hours. The tour begins at the beginning of the production process - the body shop. Here bodies are manufactured prior to being shipped to paint. The tour then continues in final assembly where visitors can see the engine and gearbox lowered onto the chassis and watch as the labour intensive process of assembling the painted body panels begins.

I certainly hope they've improved the quality standards since then...

Give me strength...