Highlights
- One of the original 1,500 SWB Series IIs with 2.0-litre Series I side-valve engines
- Heritage Certificate with provenance proving factory 2.0-litre engine
- Matching chassis and axle serial numbers
- Galvanised chassis and bulkhead
- Comprehensive rebuild with strict adherence to period-correct components
The Appeal
Here's a real treat for Land Rover enthusiasts: One of the first 1,500 SWB Series IIs to leave the factory still fitted with the 2.0-litre side valve petrol engine that was carried over from its Series I predecessor.
The advent of the Series II marked the most significant revision of the leaf sprung Land Rover formula. Rover tasked Chief Stylist David Bache with the redesign, adding the barrel sided bodywork that would go on to characterise the marque until the end of Defender production 2016 and is still part of Land Rover's design ethos today.
A BMIHT Heritage Certificate confirms this car to be one of those original 2.0-litre Series IIs, and that makes it a very special thing indeed for collectors the world over. It still has the correct engine fitted, while other survivors were often retrofitted with the 2.25-litre units. It also has matching chassis and axle serial numbers, and has the correct short bell-housing and gearbox.
As the photographs attest, this Land Rover has undergone an extensive restoration. The chassis and bulkhead have been galvanised beneath their fresh paintwork to ensure their longevity, while the entire vehicle has been rebuilt using as many original, period-correct components as possible.
The vendor tells us:
"The vehicle was purchased in 2013, and the first stages of restoration were done - engine overhaul, galvanisation of chassis and bulkhead, axles, springs, shock absorbers, and steering. Then due to personal family matters the partly restored vehicle was kept dry-stored in my barn, with periodic starting of the engine and small items being overhauled. Then in November 2023 the completion of the restoration started and was finished in September 2024. It then went for its MOT and passed. It has been driven for 20 miles to local shops and the pub since then."
The advent of the Series II marked the most significant revision of the leaf sprung Land Rover formula. Rover tasked Chief Stylist David Bache with the redesign, adding the barrel sided bodywork that would go on to characterise the marque until the end of Defender production 2016 and is still part of Land Rover's design ethos today.
A BMIHT Heritage Certificate confirms this car to be one of those original 2.0-litre Series IIs, and that makes it a very special thing indeed for collectors the world over. It still has the correct engine fitted, while other survivors were often retrofitted with the 2.25-litre units. It also has matching chassis and axle serial numbers, and has the correct short bell-housing and gearbox.
As the photographs attest, this Land Rover has undergone an extensive restoration. The chassis and bulkhead have been galvanised beneath their fresh paintwork to ensure their longevity, while the entire vehicle has been rebuilt using as many original, period-correct components as possible.
The vendor tells us:
"The vehicle was purchased in 2013, and the first stages of restoration were done - engine overhaul, galvanisation of chassis and bulkhead, axles, springs, shock absorbers, and steering. Then due to personal family matters the partly restored vehicle was kept dry-stored in my barn, with periodic starting of the engine and small items being overhauled. Then in November 2023 the completion of the restoration started and was finished in September 2024. It then went for its MOT and passed. It has been driven for 20 miles to local shops and the pub since then."
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1958, the first year of Series II production
- Home market RHD example
- Three registered keepers from new
- Voluntarily submitted for MOT, valid until 27th September 27 2025 with no advisories
- MOT mileage in September 2024 was 60,523 miles
- Current mileage: 60,542 miles
- Taxed as Historic vehicle (£0 Road Tax)
- V5C present (states Tax class as Historic)
- Heritage Certificate with provenance confirming this to be one of the original 1,500 2-litre Series 2 with Series 1 side-valve engines
- Owner's manual included
- Original vehicle registration number retained
- The owner is a true Land Rover enthusiast, selling to repurchase a previously owned 101 Forward Control
The Condition
- Presents in excellent post-restoration condition that gets admiring looks wherever it goes
- Chassis and bulkhead galvanised by Ashtree before refinishing in their correct factory colours
- Two recent minor marks on passenger door; otherwise, no notable wear to report having been seldom used since restoration
- Original windscreen and door glass have minor surface marks commensurate with age
- Cab roof has some patina consistent with vehicle's age
- Evidence of light guards previously fitted to wings
- Rear tub and tailgate present exceedingly well, having seen no load-lugging post-restoration
- Bonnet and inner wings in exceedingly good condition
- Correct steel wheels with five new tyres fitted
- Interior presents beautifully
- New rubber floor mats fitted
- Floor and transmission tunnel cover refinished to a high standard
- New seats (2 original seat backs in reasonable condition included)
- All instruments, controls, switches, and gear sticks work according to the vendor, including individual windscreen wiper motors
- Original steering wheel retained and in very good order
- Truck cab roof fitted; easily removable to create an open car
- Factory-fitted indicators
A Bronze Green, short-wheelbase Series II is to us the quintessential classic Land Rover. As the photographs below make abundantly clear, this example has been beautifully restored and presents impeccably, having covered hardly any distance since the completion of the work.
The Mechanics
- Mechanically rebuilt engine using 1950s parts sourced from all around the world
- 2.0-litre sidevalve l4
- Manual transmission
- Smiths heater with new core
- Pipework from engine for interior Smiths Heater installed
- Lights and bulbs all said to be functioning correctly
- Wiring loom made with correct cotton braided wire
- Superbly presented engine compartment
- Engine starts and runs correctly, and the car drives, steers and brakes well according to the vendor
- Factory-standard engine with visible serial number
- Matching chassis and axle serial numbers
- Correct short bell-housing and gearbox
- Radiator (1960, re-cored)
- Starter motor and dynamo rebuilt
- Voltage Control Box reportedly functioning correctly
- Gearbox and bellhousing (correct short version from Series I)
- Radiator with new core
- New axle seals fitted
- New propshaft UJs
- Transmission handbrake with new linings on original shoes
- Brakes feature new shoes, slave cylinders, and new rear drums
- New leaf springs and shock absorbers
- Carburettor and distributor in good working order; original items (for restoration) could also be included
- New exhaust system
- Brake and clutch reservoirs said to be functioning properly
- New clutch master and slave cylinders
- New brake master cylinder and pipes
- New hydraulic brake switch
- New battery and petrol tank
The vendor says:
"It drives very well and when the cab roof was off for a while it was a delight to feel the air and sun. It's not a quiet drive compared to modern, heavily sound-insulated cars, but then that is part of the appeal in being connected to a Land Rover and the road surface. I know people say that the 2.0-litre feels underpowered, but up to 40mph to 45mph it picks up very sweetly. I love the heritage of Land Rovers and in particular the Series II."
"It drives very well and when the cab roof was off for a while it was a delight to feel the air and sun. It's not a quiet drive compared to modern, heavily sound-insulated cars, but then that is part of the appeal in being connected to a Land Rover and the road surface. I know people say that the 2.0-litre feels underpowered, but up to 40mph to 45mph it picks up very sweetly. I love the heritage of Land Rovers and in particular the Series II."
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