Starting handle

At the Bristol & West show today I spotted a classic with a starting handle slot in the front bumper. There was a tunnel under the rad so it looked genuine. Unfortunately the owner couldn't tell me if it was standard and it's now got a diesel lump but he believed that it was originally a V8.
Did the early classics come with a starting handle?
I still remember trying to start my old Morris Minor on the handle but that was only 4 cylinders and a 1960s car.

Not sure, am thinking the front plate with cut out was just used on newer models, my 87 110 has the cut out too which lines up with the crank but sure doesnt have a starter handle keyway on the crank nut , so guessing juts cus the holes there may not mean it was fitted for hand cranking..

yes..mine has.the handle is in the "boot"

proberly upto 86..but defo all 2 doors (except csk)and early 4 door have hole in bumper and therefore i imagine facility ..

My 78 had starter cutout in bumper, keyway on crank nut and handle I'm boot. Not that I ever needed it, the thing would run even after the timing chain jumped at few teeth.

Stufer said:

My 78 had starter cutout in bumper, keyway on crank nut and handle I'm boot. Not that I ever needed it, the thing would run even after the timing chain jumped at few teeth.

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Thanks for that.
Logically if Land Rover wanted to sell these all over the world, and with the batteries of that period, it does make sense. I'd just never seen it before.

yes they do I remember years ago trying to start mine with the handle