Highlights
- Full body, chassis and mechanical rebuild
- Exempt, but a fresh MOT awaits new keeper
- No expense spared on restoration
- Chassis and bulkhead galvanised and powder coated
The Appeal
Often hailed as "the first car most of the world ever saw", the Land Rover is the quintessential go-anywhere vehicle and is now an ever more collectible and valuable classic. With its rugged, go-anywhere capability and genuine practicality, it's no surprise they remain so popular.
Here we have a beautifully and sympathetically restored example, one that's been significantly overhauled mechanically and aesthetically and now presents a fine opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic vehicles of all time.
Here we have a beautifully and sympathetically restored example, one that's been significantly overhauled mechanically and aesthetically and now presents a fine opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic vehicles of all time.
History and Paperwork
- Not a ‘barn find’, discovered abandoned
- Underwent a full restoration in 2021
- Original parts and trim salvaged where possible
- V5 certificate in current keeper’s name
PGA 778F rolled off the Solihull production line during the week commencing 25th March, 1968 and received its first registration two week later on 11th April.
While seemingly suffering through no less than 12 former keepers during the next 50-odd years, the Land Rover was found abandoned along with two others. With the owner’s wife champing at the bit at the ‘eyesore in the garden’, something had to give and in rode our ‘knight in blue aluminium’ to the rescue of this particular one.
Evidently in a sorry state, it was able to (just about) chug itself onto the transporter without being winched. Once home, its fortunes took a huge upward turn and was the subject of a total ‘body-off’, ‘nut-and-bolt’, ‘rotisserie’ restoration project, with the whole family becoming involved with the project on a daily basis. Suffice to say all four now know how to use a pop-riveter!
Accompanying the Land Rover will be a Lever Arch file containing a full paper trail of its transformation, with invoices and receipts retained along the way. There is a V5 certificate in the current keeper’s name and a full 12-month MoT will await the new keeper. The vehicle is exempt but the MOT will be obtained to provide peace of mind to the new owner.
A selection of ‘before’ photographs are towards the rear of the accompanying gallery and show the extent of the refurbishment and rebuilt done, to arrive at its present outstanding condition.
The Interior
- Typically spartan, but fully functional
- Three Deluxe vinyl front seats
- Two side-mounted bench seats at the rear
- Tidy and unblemished throughout
The interior has received a full respray and is in smart condition throughout. In typical Land Rover fashion, the front cockpit is spartan to say the least. However, everything is there and it all works perfectly.
Many interior parts and trim were salvaged from the original vehicle with the exception of the three front seats which now offer considerably more rounded support than the original seats ever could. New door rubbers have been fitted and both close smartly with that infamous double-click.
At the rear, there are two brand new side-mounted bench seats and a practical rubber matt covers the full floor area. There is no roof currently on the vehicle, so the next owner may wish to source a tilt, front cab or full roof. It has been restored to its original ‘as found’ condition.
The Exterior
- Newly presented in smart, period specific Marine Blue paint finish
- New lights and lenses all round
- New Michelin 4X4 O/R knobblies all round
Handsomely presented in a Marine Blue, the respray of this Land Rover has been performed to a very high standard. It should be noted that the V5 certificate indicates the colour of the vehicle to be red. This of course, was its previous colour (not that one can really tell) when acquired and will need to be amended when a new V5 is applied for by the new vendor.
As with everything else about this Land Rover, the front and rear lights are brand new and, thanks to a new wiring loom, all electrics are said to be in excellent working order including indicators and wipers.
Having undergone a full, body-off restoration, a cursory glance down each flank of the car shows no evidence of damage and the front number plate, bumper and valance are in excellent condition.
The front, rear and side sills of the car are blemish-free, as are each of the door under-sills. The original steel wheels have been painted a contrasting cream colour and are shod with a brand new set of Michelin 4X4 O/R XZL knobblies.
The Mechanics
- Full mechanical rebuild and renovation
- 2.25 diesel engine
- Engine, gearbox, transfer box, differentials, axles, etc rebuilt
- Drives as it should with new reliability built in
- A 12-month MoT awaits the new keeper prior to handover
- Galvanised bulkhead and chassis
At the seaside photo location, the vehicle was frequently repositioned to obtain the best of the available light. The engine started first and every time and settled into an appreciative four-pot burble. The rebuilt four-speed manual gearbox connected smoothly and the new clutch engaged with no drama, requiring a just the gentlest of revs to get underway.
During the vehicle’s restoration, all of the vehicle mechanicals were given a thorough going over, including the engine, gearbox, differentials, prop shafts, brakes, clutch, steering and suspension all which all received rebuilds.
As a consequence, the custodian reports the car to be excellent mechanical condition with steering, brakes, engine, drivetrain and running gear now re-performing as well as their respective engineers intended over half a century ago.
The engine bay is very tidy and clean and, like the immediately visible parts of this Land Rover, the underside and visible ladder chassis presents in excellent order, obviously with none of the natural oxidation that may reasonably be expected on a car of this age.
The chassis and bulkhead have crucially been galvanised and powder coated to ensure longevity.
The chassis and bulkhead have crucially been galvanised and powder coated to ensure longevity.
Summary
Seven and a half decades into its history, the original Land Rover still endures and new converts join the band of devotees each year. It has always been a reminder of a particular sort of British resourcefulness.
Indeed, it is almost the mechanical embodiment of the stiff upper lip – not just built to last, but built to be worked upon; to be patched up and repaired on the go and to continue running, come what may. It is a vehicle built with adventure and exploration in mind.
Now of course, these Series II Land Rovers are excluded from road tax and no longer – at least legally – require MOTs to share our roads. They are now highly sought-after in the right condition and specification. Models that are exceptionally well restored such as the one offered here (with a brand new MoT) are the automotive equivalent of hen’s teeth.
Notice to bidders
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