My 1958 restoration

[stevep]

I have just started a restoration of a 1958 series 2 swb ute which I picked up in early December. I has a Holden motor at present - hopefully I can change it back to a 2.25 at some time. Body panels are not too bad & I haven't found any bad rust yet.:)

It apparently came from the Cowra Rural fire service & therfore we have named her "COWRA" & she is all red inside the cab & engine bay. No longer red on the outside as the guy before me had cut it back. No pumps or PTO but has instructions on bulkhead for PTO use.

It was (is) missing a few things but thanks to peterg1001, I now have some seats, tow bar, & fuel tank pick up. Also thanks to Peter, i was able to look at his for some ideas. Still needs the handles on the back bumper & a rear landrover badge.

Hopefully I have attached the photos properly and you can see her & I am now off to the garage to check on Cowra to see that's she's alright for the night.;)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1890t-dsc02141.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1890-dsc02141.html)https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/502.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1887-dsc02129.html)https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/502.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1889-dsc02139.html)https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/502.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1888-dsc02134.html)http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1886t-dsc02127.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1886-dsc02127.html)

[wrinklearthur]

Hi
Some of the first of the series 2's still had 2 Litre motors fitted, check the gearbox serial number to see if it could be the original one, then the placement of the studs at the top of the bell housing, another clue is, the electric SU fuel pump was mounted near the steering column on a bracket mounted to the firewall.
hope this info helps and dosnt hinder you. :angel:
Cheers Arthur

[Shonky]

G'Day Steve!

Looks great. :D Whats the chassis number? It may not have originally been a 2.25. until September 1958 SWB models came with the 2L carried over from the Series I. ;)

Look on the firewall on the drivers side in the engine bay - it may still have the electric fuel pump in situ. Also see if the bellhousing has a stud at 12 o'clock or not (if yes = 2L bellhousing (also 6cyl but not really applicable in this case)

1958 models also had a redundant bracket on the LHS chassis rail near the radiator.

My '58 (143800259) was originally 2L, converted to 186S, now 2.25... but I'm thinking of going back to original. ;)

Good to see another 1438 car come out of the woodwork! :D


Edit: Arthur beat me to it! :D

[NiteMare]

for more information on this vehicle it might be worth you signing up to the series 2 club forum (free and open to all) they are building up quite a database on the early series 2 vehicles and they would be very interested in this as well as possibly being able to offer accurate advice (not taking anything away from the folks here)

we also have club members that occaisionally go to Gaydon to check the build archives and you might find that one would be able to get you the information retained there for you

[Doug's 58 4x4]

picked up a 2 1958 5 door wagon now the fun starts :o aside from chassie rebuild a couple of doors not much lucky enough to pick up an old govement landy from inland chassie has no rust but will have to do rear front spring hangers where tanks were fitted pity they took the diesel out but hoping to fit a 200tdi turbo better milage. :) All I have to do is keep my 2 girls away from her 1 wonts to paint it pink the other says blue but original colour was grey so at chassie stage now hope to have it up and running by next year alll going well then take a trip back up north to Ell Pools or Running Waters depending where you are from, being from Sharw River tin mine it was running waters to us lot take a line and catch some rainbow trout or cat fish but cross that bridge when get there.

[MickS]

Identical to mine mate...58/59 with the 2.25 litre motor. Well done.

[stevep]

thanks for all the replies.

Chassis number is 142800417. I had thought it was a 2L but assumed it would be too hard to find another one. Will check the other signs to see which engine it was.

I had looked at the Series 2 club web site & will join up - lots of info.

regards
Steve

[oliver1981]

stevo,

Apparently you just finished a special shed for the resto to occur under also? Good job and I am sure it will look great

[stevep]

Hi Oliver,

I should be working on my shed roof but I am busy on my son Dennis' bathroom reno. As long as I get to the shed roof before the frost's come so I can put the DII TD5 in the garage.

Steve

[Shonky]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-2-2a/75741-show-us-your-58-2l-series-ii.html

[Shonky]

Chassis number is 142800417. I had thought it was a 2L but assumed it would be too hard to find another one. Will check the other signs to see which engine it was.

1428 car... non CKD export model. :) Nice!

I'd be surprised if it wasn't originally 2L with that chassis no, but this is where our Pommy friends can provide further clarity I think.

[stevep]

1428 car... non CKD export model. :) Nice!

I'd be surprised if it wasn't originally 2L with that chassis no, but this is where our Pommy friends can provide further clarity I think.

I didn't realise the difference between a 1428 & 1438. thanks!!:)
It's a pity it doesn't still have the original motor. It was originally red & I was going to paint it Deep bronze green but now I am not sure -- maybe it's better to have it the original colour -- but I can't see myself driving a bright red car.:eek:

regards
Steve

Series 11A 1969 - 1974 to 1978
Range Rover 1972 - 1987 to 1997
Range Rover 1986 - 1997 to 2004
Disco II TD5 auto - 2004 to ???
Series II 1958 "Cowra" - 2010 to ???

[Shonky]

Go on... live dangerously! :p

Must have been a custom order for delivery to the Fire Brigade when new?

[dullbird]

I didn't realise the difference between a 1428 & 1438. thanks!!:)
It's a pity it doesn't still have the original motor. It was originally red & I was going to paint it Deep bronze green but now I am not sure -- maybe it's better to have it the original colour -- but I can't see myself driving a bright red car.:eek:

regards
Steve

Series 11A 1969 - 1974 to 1978
Range Rover 1972 - 1987 to 1997
Range Rover 1986 - 1997 to 2004
Disco II TD5 auto - 2004 to ???
Series II 1958 "Cowra" - 2010 to ???


Nah make it red...2 of my cars are dark green as that is my favorite colour for landies however my 2a is going to be either limestone or sand and red also did cross my mind:D..I want this to be different and I want people to look at it enough that they want to come up and talk to us about it:p

[ellard]

Hi there

Nice find there buddy, I have a bit of passion for the older fire vehicles and I wouldnt mind seeing some more pictures if possible.

All the best

Wayne

[stevep]

More photos - of the inside this time

Took up the floor to read the gearbox number - 151902713 - did not have a bolt at 12 o'clock so maybe it's was a 2.25L

Not sure why it has a hole drilled into the starter area of the bell housing!!

Gave it a clean underneath - still haven't found any serious rust.:) Drove it up and down the driveway but didn't get it into 3rd or 4th. Bit of gear whine in 1st.
Tomorrow i have to finish the carport so I have somewhere to put her.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/502.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture2002-dsc02219.html)https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/502.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture2001-dsc02218.html)https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/502.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture2000-dsc02213.html)http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1998t-dsc02216.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1998-dsc02216.html)https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/502.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/stevep-albums-series+2+1958-picture1999-dsc02215.html)

regards
Steve

Series 11A 1969 - 1974 to 1978
Range Rover 1972 - 1987 to 1997
Range Rover 1986 - 1997 to 2004
Disco II TD5 auto - 2004 to ???
Series II 1958 "Cowra" - 2010 to ???

[NiteMare]

i don't know anywhere near enough about landrovers but from the number on your box (and the year of the vehicle) i'd guess you possibly/probably have either a Series1 box or a no later than a 1962 box (not sure when suffix's came in) ....

i had an early S2 box from i think 1961 which i exchanged with a mate so he could put the correct period box back in his restoration (full on rivet counter resto')...

i think i've suggested it before but i'll do it again, sign up for the series 2 club forum and you'll 99.9% chance get an accurate report on what gearbox it is and what engine was most likely mounted in front of it...

there's loads of numbers around your vehicle that give accurate dating of parts and can be used to assess how original the vehicle is, again i don't know much but there are lads on the s2c forum that know the bits or where to get the info'

[peterg1001]

i think i've suggested it before but i'll do it again, sign up for the series 2 club forum


What's the URL for the series 2 club forum?

Thanks, Peter

[NiteMare]

here ya go

The Series 2 Club Ltd. (http://www.series2club.info)

[Veryan]

More photos - of the inside this time

Took up the floor to read the gearbox number - 151902713 - did not have a bolt at 12 o'clock so maybe it's was a 2.25L

Not sure why it has a hole drilled into the starter area of the bell housing!

They may have swapped the bellhousing so that it mounted to the holden adapter plate.....so the holden would fit.

Hole in starter area due to something failing on the starter motor or access for a sticky starter motor? Im sure that there is not meant to be a hole there ;)

[digger]

1428 car... non CKD export model. :) Nice!

I'd be surprised if it wasn't originally 2L with that chassis no, but this is where our Pommy friends can provide further clarity I think.

for it to come NON CKD it indicates it was fitted out or a special order, the colour as suggested leans us towards fire tender, what extra holes have you found (other than the one near the starter) that may relate to any "fixings", and doe the vehicle have a PTO?

keep it red, green is common!

[ade30946x6]

CKD #143800557 has its original 15hp (2 litre) motor. It is probable that the installation of the 2.25 motor happened a bit quicker for the UK assembled models. The former has body #88 6 59.

[stevep]

for it to come NON CKD it indicates it was fitted out or a special order, the colour as suggested leans us towards fire tender, what extra holes have you found (other than the one near the starter) that may relate to any "fixings", and doe the vehicle have a PTO?

keep it red, green is common!

it doesn't have a PTO now - but it looks like it did - dymo tape instuctions for use on the bulkhead, movable flap under the centre seat, cleaner cover in place of PTO than the rest of transfer case.

Yep - it's going to be red - decision made! :)
just have to figure out which colour red - are they just Post Office red?
or something else - could not find anything on the any colour charts yet.

And I have joined up to the Series 2 club & sent in the car details.

regards
Steve
Series 11A 1969 - 1974 to 1978
Range Rover 1972 - 1987 to 1997
Range Rover 1986 - 1997 to 2004
Disco II TD5 auto - 2004 to ???
Series II 1958 "Cowra" - 2010 to ???

[UncleHo]

The hole in the starter recess would be to unjam a stuck starter from a poor quality conversion to Holden :( using large square shaft screwdriver or round bar

[peterg1001]

Yep - it's going to be red - decision made! :)
just have to figure out which colour red - are they just Post Office red?
or something else - could not find anything on the any colour charts yet.


Check the Pascol enamel colour chart. They maintain the traditional colours - pillar box red, Oxford blue (aka military blue) etc.

Peter

[Lostkiwi]

It's not Masai Red is it?

I'm normally wrong on these things:( But it might be worth a look;)


Land Rover Paint Man | Paint for Land Rovers | Specialist in White Spirit Based, Synthetic & Zylene Based Enamels - Colour Chart Series 2 (http://www.paintman.co.uk/paint-colour-chart-series-2.html)

[NiteMare]

i have heard of other shades of red being used, poppy red springs to mind which i think was used on some of the fire engines but i think some areas/authorities specified thier own shade

[UncleHo]

"Poppy Red" does sound very like the factory colour for the Series 1's & 2 firetenders :)

[MickS]

I'm thinking Basil was masai red...

colour chart 1 (http://www.stephen.hull.btinternet.co.uk/chart1.html)