Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tuesday 9th September from 12pm
Auction: Wednesday 10th September from 9am
Location: Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
1960 Land Rover Series II 88”
Exhaustively restored at a reported cost of over £45, 000
Estimate
£30, 000 - £35, 000
Registration No: BSJ 675
Chassis No: the details below
MOT: August 2026
Beautifully presented and surely among the best Series II Landies left?
Exhaustively restored at a reported cost of over £45, 000 and over 1, 000 hours!
A mere 1, 600 post-restoration miles completed
Featuring with a canvas top, 2. 25-litre petrol engine, Roamerdrive and rear bench seats
Some ten years after the original's introduction it was felt that the time had come to update the Land Rover's somewhat primitive slab-sided styling. The result was the Series II, which featured the more rounded sides that would continue to characterise the Land Rover until production of the Defender model ceased in 2016. Introduced in 1958, the Series II was available with either the 2, 286cc petrol engine or the newly developed 2, 052cc diesel first seen in 1956 on what became known retrospectively as the 'Series I'. By this time the original permanent four-wheel drive freewheel transmission had been superseded by the more conventional selectable two- or four-wheel drive arrangement, with a set of low ratios available if required when the latter option was selected. The Series II's arrival also marked the standardisation of only two different wheelbase lengths – 88in and 109in – the Series I's 107in option being dropped.
This outstanding 88in is one of the best Series Land Rovers we have been fortunate enough to set eyes upon, but it wasn’t always so pretty. Like most Land Rovers, it had a hard-working early life, and it had been off the road for many years when it entered the workshops of marque specialist Martin Swindells circa 2020. Mr. Swindells commenced a thorough programme of renovation which occupied over 1, 000 hours and reportedly cost more than £45, 000. The rebuild was centred round a new galvanised chassis and bulkhead, and all the panels were prepared and repainted in the classic Land Rover hue of Welsh Grey, with every effort being made to faithfully recreate the original factory finish. An overhauled 2. 25-litre petrol engine with new pistons, bearings and seals is fitted, and is said to “perform as reliably as the day it left the factory.”
The overhaul extended to the axles and gearbox, in which any worn components were replaced with new items, and the suspension was refreshed with new springs, shock absorbers and bushings, all to the original specification. The brakes were likewise overhauled, with new drums, shoes and cylinders, while the steering linkages were inspected and replaced where necessary. A full rewire to “modern safety standards”, the refurbishment of the gauges and the fitment of a new canvas hood completed the exhaustive project. Electronic ignition was installed as one of the few deviations from the original Series II specifications, with 'BSJ 675' further boasting rear bench seats and Roamerdrive overdrive.
Bought by the vendor, a discerning collector, immediately upon completion of the overhaul in 2021, it has since covered only c. 1, 600 miles, being MOTed annually with not a single advisory to date. Described by the vendor as being in “concours condition”, it is offered for sale with comprehensive documentation including the V5C, MOT certificates dating back to 2022, and recent servicing invoices.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
