Beschreibung
This is my 1962 (Sept) Land Rover Series 2a, I purchased it as a project in 2010 and I have thoroughly enjoyed spending 5 years rebuilding it and a further year tinkering to get it just right. I have been a member of the Series 2 club for some time and am enthusiastic about all things Series 2 but other projects are calling me and I’m very sad to write that she has to go.
The rebuild has been a complete nut and bolt restoration starting from the excellent Richards chassis and I have attempted to get the balance right between cost and best quality when ever possible. The Series 2 forum is an excellent source of information so all the lessons have already been learnt although as you can see this is not a concourse renovation of how it left the factory.
I have made some decisions based on personal taste and preference like the One Ton rims and change of standard colour (from Deep Bronze Green). I did not start from a complete vehicle so feel I have saved another series 2 from being dismantled. I’ve always tried to buy NOS or original series 2 specific parts when possible.
I am afraid I am lacking any history but I can say I purchased it from a gentleman in Crawley who had started the renovation of several parts including the bulkhead and front panel. I believe further history can be obtained via the DVLA and other sources through the club but this was not something I pursued.
Below I have tried to break down each area to give you a feel of what it has taken to get it to it’s current state. I am sure I have forgotten a few things but I have a huge pile of receipts and took photos most of the way through which I am happy to share.
SUMMARY
• Tax-exempt, 9 months MOT, fully-serviced.
• 88” galvanized Richards chassis, rust free bulkhead and front panel
• Fully rebuilt 2. 25 3 main bearing petrol engine, new genuine Webber carb, alternator conversion (still have dynamo if wanted).
• Fully rebuilt 2a gearbox (non-synchro 1st/ 2nd gear, non-overdrive), std diffs.
• Full bare metal respray in 2K
• Autosparks wiring loom
• Rocky Mountain Parabolic springs, pro-comp shocks, Michelin ZXL 7. 50 R16 tyres on rare 6. 5” one ton/ forward control rims (including spare).
• Rocky Mountain aluminum door tops on new door bottoms
CHASSIS/ BULKHEADS
• New Richards chassis purchased in 2011, painted and wax sealed so nothing to worry about for many many years to come. I still have the original chassis but was beyond repair and has been sat outside since being dismantled. Unfortunately the front dumb iron with the serial number is badly corroded but it is there if wanted otherwise I will cut up and dispose.
• Bulkhead has had a full restoration including footwells and door pillars replaced/ repaired before respray so again no rust.
• Front panel has had bottom edge replaced and fully protected by stone protection paint on base and inside where corrosion normally starts.
ENGINE/ COOLING/ FUEL
• Engine has had a full professional rebuild including:
• Cylinder head rebuild including core plugs, inserts, valve and guide springs plus of course hardened seat inserts for lead free petrol.
• Pressure tested lower block, re-facing of cylinder block back, honing of bores for new pistons and rings, new bearings throughout.
• Everything has been inspected and kept/ restored if possible, but much has been replaced - which I have tried to list below:
• All new water pump, Accuspark Electronic ignition, thermostat, Fanbelt, timing chain, hoses, core plugs, oil pump, fuel pump, Radiator (Series 3), Weber 34ICH carb (Genuine UK) professional tuned, Rocky Mountain oil filter conversion and Battery.
• Repainted in duck egg blue with all new gaskets, refitted with new engine rubber mounts and a new full exhaust system (with new mounts).
• Replacement fuel tank fitted with new pickup gauze and in-line filter, not the standard replacement rubbish that are badly made and do not fit.
CLUTCH/ BRAKES
• New copper and flexible rubber pipes fitted throughout, new master and slave cylinders fitted for brakes and clutch.
• New OEM clutch friction plate fitted with new flywheel spigot bush.
• Front/ rear brakes and handbrake overhauled with new shoes and springs throughout.
TRANSMISSION
• The gearbox and transfer box is as standard and have both been fully rebuilt with new bearings throughout (genuine or quality replacements and not the usual 2nd rate rubbish) and as with the engine all items were inspected and restored or replaced as required but now have a fully functioning gearbox as quiet as a Land Rover gearbox, oils have been replaced after initial running and is a joy to crash through.
• New speedo cable fitted.
• New front and rear propshafts fitted, originally rebuilt originals with new UJ’s but found shaft was not ideal and created rumbling so regrettably replaced.
• Differentials removed checked and refitted with new gaskets and oil.
• Front and rear axles completely stripped and restored with all new wheel bearings, seals etc.
STEERING
• Original 2a steering box rebuilt with new bearings/ gasket/ oil.
• New track rod ends and steering relay
• Good used chrome swivels refitted with new gaskets/ wiper seals and oil.
SUSPENSION/ WHEELS/ TYRES
• Rocky Mountain parabolic springs fitted with Pro-comp ES3000 shocks with new bushes and gaitors to allow for increased height/ spring rate/ articulation of parabolics- shocks painted black from the original white (too garish for a series 2!). Check straps not fitted but can supply.
• Very scarce wider 6. 5J One ton/ forward Control wheel rims are fitted and powder coated colour coded to body, this allow fitment of larger diameter new Michelin ZXL 7. 50 R16 tyres (getting very rare). The large circumference not only improves stance but increases gearing/ MPG of land rover. The calibration of speedo still required for 100% accurate reading.
• Full spare fitted in rear but plate is on bonnet and can supply required fixings.
ELECTRICS/ WASH-WIPE
• Negative earth electrical system- new highly recommended battery.
• New Alternator conversion (with correct bracket) fitted in place of dynamo/ voltage regulator.
• New Autosparks wiring fitted through out
• Speedo has only been cosmetically reconditioned but fuel/ amp gauge was replaced with NOS as faulty, all lights original as is the ignition/ light switch, start button replaced with new.
• New halogen headlamps
• Correct floor mounted dip switch
• Correct NOS side, indicator and brake lights fitted including rechromed bezels when required
• New temp sender/ oil sender/ fuel sender. choke warning system does not works (Otter switch on cyl head maybe faulty).
• Indicator switch (excellent chromework!) rebuilt with new self-cancelling rubber wheel and loom.
• Correct wheel-centre horn push.
• Professionally reconditioned Lucas wiper motor and chrome wiper arm, drivers side only
• Heated screen has been fitted to drivers side but not yet wired in, passenger side new glass so they matched.
BODYWORK ETC.
• All bodywork has been taken back to bare aluminum/ steel ready for repainting in 2K in rare dark grey, original was the usual DBG.
• Standard dome rivets have been used throughout to remain in keeping with original build
• All galvanized bodywork was removed and re-galvanized including windscreen and bumper.
Bodywork pretty straight but mostly used so not perfect as I have tried to keep original parts when possible but front wing outers are new as are doors.
• New aluminum door top by Rocky Mountain so will not rust plus have more adaptable sliding glass and internal locking for better safety, these are colour coded, and are the best you can buy.
• New door handles and lock barrel and separate keys plus spare for each.
• Rear tub has been professionally rebuilt with new floor and galvanized supports plus rear quarter panels, which always one of the 1st places to corrode so has been coated with anti-corrosion paste before refitting.
• Reconditioned tailgate with galvanized capping and sliders, new tailgate chains and sleeves, new tailgate-tub buffer blocks.
• New bonnet rest strip, door seals, vent seals, b/ head-w/ screen & w/ screen/ roof seal, all rubber seals for truck cab replaced with new.
• NOS genuine rear mudflaps fitted which give it that required look
• Full Exmoor trim tilt and stick set in khaki green, has been fitted for a year so already gone through the fit and shrink process and has worked faultlessly.
INTERIOR
• New standard vinyl seats on restored seatbox with static runners, which have been powder, coated.
• New static 3-point seatbelt fitted to centre seat (for my young daughter) and lapbelt for driver and passenger seats.
• Heavy duty rubber floor mats.
• Sound proofing has been fitted through out seating box and both doors which made a huge difference to the internal noise.
• Reconditioned steering wheel, done before I bought the car but an excellent job.
POINTS TO CONSIDER
• No overdrive or heater.
• Heated screen needs wiring, all wires and instruction included
• Speedo slightly out due to the larger wheels and would ideally need a re calibration but would require the speedo to be removed and sent away or sourcing a spare.
• Choke indicator light does not work, otter switch fitted but never worked but have not really noticed
• No windscreen washer fitted but will supply a non standard kit
I have tried to be as honest and open as possible but believe I have a near perfect example of a Series 2a, which are becoming increasingly hard to find, you will get a classic vehicle which wants to be used as much as possible and is a joy to drive. My wife and daughter are not pleased she is being sold!
I am happy to allow viewings whenever and would recommend test drive to really get a feel for the car although remember this is still a 1960’s 4x4 !!
