Description
The Land Rover entered production in 1948 with the car officially launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show. It was originally designed for farm and light commercial use with initial production being short term. This is where the Best 4x4 by far started its life with the resulting design becoming an automotive icon and launching the whole UK industry 4x4 sector. Only 10 years later ABV108A was built in 1958 being the 376th Series 2 off the line. The 2 litre petrol engine proved troublesome in the early years and were frequently upgraded to the 2. 25 litre engine which this one was.
This Land Rover has been part of our family collection since 2009. It was always superb mechanically however the bodywork had too much patina to be left so a total bottom to top overhaul was started in 2019 and has just been finished. A hand written build sheet shows around £9476. 85 worth of accounted for new parts being used to undertake this re-commissioning project. This figure is at discounted rates with no VAT inclusion. A lot more has been spent on it that has been missed, it should be noted that this list doesn't include any labour time.
The entire project has been carried out by Fylde Landrover Services, a professional Land Rover restoration company who have done nothing but maintain and rebuild Series Land Rovers since the early 1970s.
ABV108A has been put through an MOT on the 10th October to ensure everything has been safety checked even though it is not a legal requirement to do so.
So, in summary what we have here is a tax exempt, MOT exempt, cheap to insure vehicle which can stand the test of time, whilst being a pleasure to drive, last but not least, it’s an investment that can be enjoyed and maybe even passed down through another discerning family.
It will be sad to see it go but we have a collection to disperse to good homes prior to retirementThe mandate for the project was to keep some of the patina showing its life whilst renewing or repairing anything that was required. It is a superb result showing the originality of features whilst keeping all of the ‘non-museum’, enjoyably useable and head turning looks.
Notaby, the vehicle has been re-panelled using new Paintman Panels. The canvas has been replaced with a new fabulous Undercovers Sand Canvas. All tyres have been renewed with new period 600x16 tyres. All steel work requiring repair has been carried out, the whole underside finally liberally coated inside and out with lashings of waxoil. The drive chain was dismantled and re assembled replacing everything that showed signs of wear including all seals. To finish off, ABV108A has been re-painted in Paintman Pastel Green with Limestone Wheels setting it off against the sand coloured canvas soft top and the original pattern elephant hide seats. Such a fantastic combination. The trim has been renewed with a new set of period Exmoor trim elephant hide seats. It would have been this pattern when the car came out of the factory in 1958. Mudmats have also been fitted front and in the rear truck. In addition a hardura sound cover has been fitted to the bulkhead inside the cab. In the rear truck there is a spare wheel and tyre fitted. This Land Rover has been part of our family collection since 2009. It was always superb mechanically however the bodywork had too much patina to be left so a total bottom to top overhaul was started in 2019 and has just been finished. A hand written build sheet shows around £9476. 85 worth of accounted for new parts being used to undertake this re-commissioning project. This figure is at discounted rates with no VAT inclusion. A lot more has been spent on it that has been missed, it should be noted that this list doesn't include any labour time. The drive chain was dismantled and re assembled replacing everything that showed signs of wear including all seals.
Out on the road the drive is incredible for a Series 2, there is no play in the drive chain. The engine and gearbox are exceptionally smooth retaining the beautiful condition they were in prior to the re-build. The steering and brakes are just amazing, I haven’t driven any Land Rover for years that has steering as positive. The brakes were renewed as a matter of policy.
ABV108A has been put through an MOT on the 10th October to ensure everything has been safety checked even though it is not a legal requirement to do so.
