Sellers Comments
For sale is this rather special, everyday usable series land
rover. Before listing the details and specifications of this vehicle I will
give a bit of background information.
This vehicle was rebuilt by a qualified engineer and
lifelong series land rover fanatic, and incorporates details not often seen on
others.
This is one of 2 land rovers I own, the other is built to
very similar specification, but it has been my only car since the age of 17 so
I will never sell it. The land rover for sale was bought as a project for
myself and my father and has now been complete and in use for just under a
year.
I will be sad to see it go, but my series land rover
obsession sees me wanting to build a series 1 next and as this one is very
similar to my other Series 2a, so it doesn't get used as much as it deserves,
so I am offering it for sale to fund a series 1 build!
The basis of this vehicle is a 1965 Tax Exempt Series 2A
SWB, ex-military, full hard top with 5 previous owners, It finished its
military use in 1973.
It has been fully rebuilt with Galvanised bulkhead, front
panel, floor supports a 200Tdi engine, Disc brakes, overdrive, and many new
parts. I will list its specification in bullet points to make it easy to read
through:
· 200Tdi engine
– These are a fantastic engine and extremely well matched to this vehicle, and
are one of the key points to making these vehicles suitable for daily use. I
bought a 200tdi discovery that had only covered 140 thousand miles as a donor for
this, so I could be sure it was in good condition. Before fitment it was fitted
with new OEM timing belt, tensioner and idler pulleys and new water pump. So
this engine will be good for many thousands of miles to come. Another huge plus
point of these engines is that the vehicle can now easily return 35mpg. The
engine is fitted with a temperature sender that allows the original series
gauge to be retained and an electric cooling fan has been fitted with a manual
switch. This allows you to accurately monitor engine temp and switch the fan
on, on the rare occasion that it is needed. A new radiator and oil cooler of
the discovery type have been fitted in very neatly, and look to be factory
fitted, this if a great improvement over keeping the original series radiator,
as it incorporates an oil cooler that is required for the turbo. This had been
combined with an authentic brass header tank from an early range rover. Please
see the photos, but all this adds up to a very neat and authentic looking
engine bay, while actually being hugely updated. Please note the engine has a
300tdi top cover fitted to help reduce engine sound, this can easily be taken
off in a few seconds if you don't like the look of it. A discovery intercooler
has also been fitted to make the most out of the Tdi power and economy.
· Disc Brakes
(front) – With the Tdi engine I would consider this to be a necessary upgrade,
and missing from so many 200Tdi conversions. I have fitted the Wild Industries
conversion kit, as this kit makes use of standard land rover callipers and
discs, so future parts availability will be both easy and cheap. When fitting
this kit I purchased new Lockheed (OEM) front callipers and also replaced the
rear drums with new cylinders and shoes. But it doesn't end there, the entire
braking system has been redone using a Defender master cylinder and Servo
coupled to a series 3 pedal box and new copper nickel brake lines with brass
fittings throughout. So visual authenticity is maintained from the driving
position but the performance is modern. You will notice the defender servo
fitment in the engine bay photo, this has been neatly fitted to a series 3
pedal box, meaning the wing does not need to be trimmed more than a standard
series servo fitment, but performance is greatly improved. The brakes are truly
fantastic on this vehicle and are one of its best points.
Stainless steel
Exhaust – Fitted with a full stainless exhaust from the turbo to the tail pipe,
following the original route. The downpipe has been custom made from large
diameter stainless tube to give maximum performance and long lifespan. This is
another feature that sets this vehicle apart from many others.
· Gearbox –
The original gearbox has been replaced with a series 3 type from a 1982
vehicle, making it one of the most modern series boxes available. The series 3
gearbox benefits from having synchromesh on all forward gears making this
vehicle much easier to drive.
· Clutch – A
new OEM 9.5” clutch plate and cover have been fitted, I have fitted the
stronger 8 spring type clutch plate which should make it much more robust than
the more common 6 spring type (Another detail not often considered). The clutch
master cylinder and piping have also been replaced with new.
· Fairey Overdrive
– It is fitted with a fairy overdrive that is in very good condition and
correctly fitted with anti-scuff paste. These are notorious for having a whine,
but this one is surprisingly quiet. I chose the overdrive over fitting 3.54
ratio diffs as it offers the same top end speed/performance without sacrificing
low speed performance. 3.54 diffs really do sacrifice performance in low ratio,
and I didn't want to do that. With the
overdrive this vehicle cruises nicely at 55-60mph and is capable of much more.
· Galvanised
Bulkhead – Bulkheads are probably the most rust prone part on these vehicles so
by galvanising it is preserved as well as possible. The original bulkhead was
professionally repaired using correct ribbed foot wells and period details, it
was then hot dipped galvanised in a purpose made jig to prevent it from
warping, before being etch primed and painted to look original.
· Galvanised
front panel – As per bulkhead
· Galvanised
Tub supports – Another rust prone part now well preserved for a long service
life.
· Chassis –
The original chassis has been professionally repaired, all rust areas have been
cut out and replaced with new metal. It was then painted in rust preventing
polyurethane paint and sprayed on the inside with wax oil using a purpose made
tool. So this chassis is fit for a long service life.
· Parabolic
springs - Fitted with 2 leaf front, 3 leaf rear parabolic springs (GME) and pro
comp ES300 dampers, as well as new u bolts and bushes. This combination gives a
nice supple ride, whilst retaining the series land rover feel.
· Sound
deadening/interior – I have fitted the Wright off road / Exmoor trim moulded
floor matting, this makes the interior very neat and also helps a lot with sound
insulation. Please note the matting has been cut for fitment of a round smiths
heater, but I do not have one fitted. The engine side of the bulkhead had been
fitted with waterproof foam to help with sound and heat insulation. The rear
floor and rear door have been lined with a hard rubber matting for practicality
and sound insulation. It has the series 3 type deluxe seats fitted which I find
to be very comfortable whilst retaining the authentic appearance. I also have a
pair of tip up seats for the rear, I have not fitted these, but they can be
included if required. The dash has been fitted with a rebuilt speedometer and
odometer, and is very accurate and has a steady needle. The Other gauges have also been serviced and
are working as they should.
· Aluminium door tops – Fitted with the
military style aluminium door tops with 2 sliding panels, these solve the rust
problems of standard door tops and make it easy to adjust your wing mirrors.
· Wheels and
tyres – fitted with wolf wheels painted in limestone to match the roof and 235
85 16 BF Goodrich tyres. The front tyres are BFG all-terrain and have covered
less than 500 miles, the rear tyres are BFG Trac Edge and are older, but still
have plenty of tread left. The spare wheel does not match and is a modular
wheel with a Colway tyre (same pattern as BGF all-terrain).
· Registration
and V5 – This has been correctly updated with the new engine number, capacity
and fuel type, So all is as it should be and will only require a
straightforward change of keeper. It has a current MOT until –5th August 2015
and it is of course tax exempt. It has no problems sailing through the MOT and
the inspectors have been very impressed by it during the test, and were blown
away by the braking performance.
· Bodywork –
This was built to be a usable vehicle but also look authentic, so it has been
resprayed in pastel green and limestone, but please note I am not a fan of body
filler (especially on old land rovers) so I have retained all the original
dents, so it retains its character and well used appearance.
Other - I will
supply this vehicle with a list of the parts used in it's various updates, this
will make it easy for the future owner to source parts in the long run, and
make maintenance very straightforward. As i have previously mentioned all the
updates to this vehicle have used Land Rover parts, so sourcing parts will be
both easy and cheap, not that they will be needed for a very long time, as most
things are new OEM! I can also supply a comprehensive collection of photos from
the rebuild.
I have tried my best to describe all the details, but there
are many more that I have not mentioned, so please look through the photos and
feel free to ask any questions you like. Viewing by arrangement is very welcome
and test driving is fine as long as you bring insurance, or I can take you for
a drive in it if not.
I have included photos from the rebuild as well as some
during use more recently, so you can see the make-up of this vehicle. It is
currently fitted with a full hardtop as shown in some of the photos.
Please note this is an old land rover and despite all the
updates, modifications and refinements it is still a very basic vehicle and is
by no means a perfect modern car, it is for the enthusiast that wants a usable
classic, built to a very high mechanical standard.
You are bidding to buy, I am a private seller so cannot
offer any warranty. This vehicle is sold as seen.
Sold with no reserve, as this land rover speaks for itself
in terms of value, usability and quality of updated parts.
This is also advertised elsewhere so I withhold the right to
withdraw it from this auction.
Cash on collection or Bank transfer preferred.
