help identifying my s2

[that_kid]

Hi all,

So I've been fortunate enough to adopt a 2.25 petrol swb s2 from a widow who claimed she came second to it for the last 40 odd years up until the poor old chap became ill with Alzheimer's and passed away. It sat in her driveway for the last 12 year's where she kept it washed, rolled it band and forth occasionally and even turned it over with the crank handle. It was clear to me that she too loved the car very much and the day I saw it and knocked on her door I could tell it was not an easy decision for her to make.

But she felt the time was right and I was fit to take over custodianship of the little landy.for the next 40 years. And what a find! Not a spec of rust in the chassis or firewall, barrell straight panels and all original down to the crank handle and work light. Some fuel down the carby and a new battery, hit the starter n fired up first go!

All there is to do is overhaul the brakes, do the clutch and drive him. The issue I'm having is identifying it. Where do I find the vin and engine numbers?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/260.jpg

[Dinty]

VIN number can be found on the LHS rear spring hanger (chassis) also you can verify it from the makers plate. On the bulkhead in front of the gearshift.
The engine number can be found (if it's an original 4cyl engine) on the LHS front of the engine block near No1 exhaust port, hope that's of some help cheers Dennis
Ps nice find,,.

[Bigbjorn]

The plates were issued in 1970, if that is any help.

[landrover dave]

When you find the chassis number check it out on the CALVIN wewbsite, that wll tell you what year.



Hi all,

So I've been fortunate enough to adopt a 2.25 petrol swb s2 from a widow who claimed she came second to it for the last 40 odd years up until the poor old chap became ill with Alzheimer's and passed away. It sat in her driveway for the last 12 year's where she kept it washed, rolled it band and forth occasionally and even turned it over with the crank handle. It was clear to me that she too loved the car very much and the day I saw it and knocked on her door I could tell it was not an easy decision for her to make.

But she felt the time was right and I was fit to take over custodianship of the little landy.for the next 40 years. And what a find! Not a spec of rust in the chassis or firewall, barrell straight panels and all original down to the crank handle and work light. Some fuel down the carby and a new battery, hit the starter n fired up first go!

All there is to do is overhaul the brakes, do the clutch and drive him. The issue I'm having is identifying it. Where do I find the vin and engine numbers?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/260.jpg

[Landy Smurf]

did all s2 have lights inside and did all s2a have lights oustide?

[30t of coolness]

Lovvin the exhaust top find :D

[easo]

did all s2 have lights inside and did all s2a have lights oustide?

I think so????

Easo

[turkeybrain]

did all s2 have lights inside and did all s2a have lights oustide?

The series 2 only had the headlights on the grille, but the 2a had them both on the grille and the guards. I think the transition from grille to guards was around 1967. I don't recall when the 2a was officially introduced, but mine is a '64, so clearly sometime before then.

About the only way I know of to pick the difference between a late 2 and an early 2a is the chassis number. It wasn't a brand new model, but transitional development over time. If I recall correctly, the difference between the last 2 and the first 2a was pretty much nothing at all. Calvin, as already mentioned, will tell you which category a vehicle falls into.

-Martin

[JDNSW]

Series 2 changed to Series 2a in 1961. S2 chassis numbers have no suffix letter, S2a have a suffix letter A-H. The major changes in appearance were 1) the adoption of a single wiper motor with cable operation, together with a change from negative to positive earth, and other electrical changes, including change from a combined ignition/light switch to key start and toggle switches, warning lights in the speedo, a temperature gauge and loss of ammeter, and 2) headlights moved to the mudguards, about 1969.

But, all the parts are interchangeable, so the only foolproof way to identify the vehicle is by the chassis number.

John

[incisor]

that is nice!

hard to beat a s2 shorty....

easy to tell a s2 from a 2a, the steering control arms are at the top of the swivel hubs

the chassis number should be on the back spring hanger on the rear springs on the passenger side.

enjoy!

[JDNSW]

that is nice!

hard to beat a s2 shorty....

easy to tell a s2 from a 2a, the steering control arms are at the top of the swivel hubs

the chassis number should be on the back spring hanger on the rear springs on the passenger side.

enjoy!

Sorry Dave - this change was about the time of the S2a, but not coincident with it - and in any case, it may not have the original axle assembly.

John

[easo]

The interesting part for me is how nice she looks in her condition. Also the exhaust and muffler under the bumper similar to a S3 FFR.

Easo

[that_kid]

thanks guys!

Its looking nicer since those pics i've had the chance to pressure wash it all down and its come up white! Its not its original color as best as i can tell it was either green or browny/red as the engine bay has both so he has obviousley changed some panels. The dash has been painted with brushed on what looks like house paint : | It has the original running gear from what i can tell, well def s2 gear anyway. The ignition is the combo light and ignition with no keys, or seatbelts :) its has the ammeter and seperate wiper motors so without having a chance to go and look at it yet im going with a s2. the only real aftermarket stuff i can see on it is the louver mechanisms are a wind up style not the notched slide, and the mirrors. Theres also a bunch of interior lights fitted. I also got the bits to put the spare on the bonnet, and the lady believes the hoops for the soft top are there somewhere, along with a bunch of spares and what appeares to be a whitworth tool kit :) Oh and it also has dual tanks with the second filler under the passengers seat (military spec?)

Basically its all going back to as close to factory as i can, the mirrors are going back on the fenders, roofs coming off and the door tops and will be driven on sunny days.

[pfillery]

Whats with the front exhaust? That was a military thing wasn't it? Seems odd to have it on the front on a road vehicle - will this sort of thing be compliant these days?

Nice find by the way. Shame you can't keep the original plates with it (unless it is still registered and you can rwc and transfer it).

[JDNSW]

thanks guys!

Its looking nicer since those pics i've had the chance to pressure wash it all down and its come up white! Its not its original color as best as i can tell it was either green or browny/red as the engine bay has both so he has obviousley changed some panels. The dash has been painted with brushed on what looks like house paint : | It has the original running gear from what i can tell, well def s2 gear anyway. The ignition is the combo light and ignition with no keys, or seatbelts :) its has the ammeter and seperate wiper motors so without having a chance to go and look at it yet im going with a s2. the only real aftermarket stuff i can see on it is the louver mechanisms are a wind up style not the notched slide, and the mirrors. Theres also a bunch of interior lights fitted. I also got the bits to put the spare on the bonnet, and the lady believes the hoops for the soft top are there somewhere, along with a bunch of spares and what appeares to be a whitworth tool kit :) Oh and it also has dual tanks with the second filler under the passengers seat (military spec?)

Basically its all going back to as close to factory as i can, the mirrors are going back on the fenders, roofs coming off and the door tops and will be driven on sunny days.

The screw up vent mechanism is not aftermarket - it was fitted to Series 2 and very early Series 2a (but being fully interchangeable with the lever type, there is no guarantee it is original).

The second tank, with filler under the seat was a factory option, and does not indicate it was military - most, if not all, military 2/2a had the LH tank with an external filler the same as the RH one.

The combination ignition switch may have a number (two letters (probably FA) and three numerals), and if so a good locksmith should be able to get keys for you. If it does not, you should be able to remove it and take to a locksmith and get a key made. But it is likely that the lady does have the key somewhere - you are looking for something that looks like a small padlock key, which, if original, the number stamped on it.

As a Series 2 or early 2a it would almost certainly not have been fitted with seat belts unless it was a SMHEA vehicle, although many vehicles were being retrofitted with them by the 1970s.

Just to clarify my earlier post - the electrical changes in 1967 do not mark the change from 2 to 2a in 1961. The only specific changes between the 2 and 2a are the addition of a suffix letter to the chassis number and the change from the 2 litre diesel to the 2.25l diesel. But there were many changes during Series 2 production, and apparently the company decided these were sufficient to change the designation, and, perhaps, to set up a system to identify ranges of chassis numbers where changes took place.

John

[korg20000bc]

Hi all,

So I've been fortunate enough to adopt a 2.25 petrol swb s2 from a widow who claimed she came second to it for the last 40 odd years up until the poor old chap became ill with Alzheimer's and passed away. It sat in her driveway for the last 12 year's where she kept it washed, rolled it band and forth occasionally and even turned it over with the crank handle. It was clear to me that she too loved the car very much and the day I saw it and knocked on her door I could tell it was not an easy decision for her to make.

But she felt the time was right and I was fit to take over custodianship of the little landy.for the next 40 years. And what a find! Not a spec of rust in the chassis or firewall, barrell straight panels and all original down to the crank handle and work light. Some fuel down the carby and a new battery, hit the starter n fired up first go!

All there is to do is overhaul the brakes, do the clutch and drive him. The issue I'm having is identifying it. Where do I find the vin and engine numbers?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/260.jpg
Wow!
Interesting vehicle.
I've only just learned that the Army did trial some Series 2 Workshop vehicles. Your vehicle has the Army exhaust set-up for Workshop vehicles.
It'd be an amazing score to land one of those.

Please post up the chassis number so we can got to the bottom of it.

I know the vehicle in these photos has the rear exhaust, but they were initial trial vehicles and changes may have been made after these photos...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/261.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/262.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/263.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/264.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/265.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/266.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/267.jpg
Any unusual hole in the tub floor at all?

[that_kid]

Thanks John!

The old bloke put the exhaust on there as his wife complained about the heat of the original during summer driving up to fraser island in it. Apparently they had 7 people with the roof rack loaded up and would go to double island and fraser for weeks at a time fishing. What a journey that must have been! I also have said roof rack.

When i say it doesnt have keys, i mean there is no keys :D there isnt a lock, barrel or otherwise in it. The ignition switch is just a switch. I will put a hidden kill switch in somewhere once i get it rego'd however. I dont think I will fit seatbelts either as apparently i dont have too :angel:


So far the only rust i have found is in the drivers side where the door seal sits, and in the bottoms of the door frames, both of which should be simple enough to fix.

I would like to keep the plates, or if not have them re-issued and get PPQ white on black so it looks the same as it once did.

Ill get the chassis number over the weekend as its living at my brothers place. Townhouses aren't ideal for classic restos :(

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/241.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/242.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/243.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/244.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/245.jpg

[JDNSW]

I see what you mean about no key - that and the extra gauge above the light switch certainly look military, although it is quite possible that the instrument panel may be off a military one or even just the layout copied. (You will probably need to fit an ignition lock to get it registered, by the way - key locks are readily available)

I see a few non-standard features, for example the gear lever boot and the door pockets. And I would be fascinated to know exactly what the object in front of the LH fuel tank is!

I suggest a good move would be to order the relevant "Rave CD" from the Shop - top bar of the header on this page.

John

[incisor]

looks a lot like what was once a command recon, army dash i'd say

is there 4 small holes behind that blue and white tin in the passenger side tray.. that is where the nomenclature plate would have been screwed to the firewall

horn button on the pressed metal arm..

great pickup!

[korg20000bc]

Other, potentially, military signs on the vehicle are the tail light protectors and the radiator panel modification that's partially concealed by the front valance(?) panel. Also towing rings and pintle hook mounting plate.

[isuzurover]

Nice find!

As for the military origins...
I can't see any evidence of green paint???
The line of rivets at the top of the windscreen is also missing (but not conclusive).

Plenty of rust to repair...

[JDNSW]

Nice find!

As for the military origins...
I can't see any evidence of green paint???
The line of rivets at the top of the windscreen is also missing (but not conclusive).

Plenty of rust to repair...

He commented earlier that the original colour appeared to be green. Just about the only way of telling whether it really is ex-army or just has some ex-army parts or even just copied ideas will be via the chassis number.

John

[that_kid]

the thing in front of the passenger side tank is just a little storage compartment. And the horn is on its own bracket on the steering column.

It came with two different workshop manuals and an interesting book about series rivers in general. if I get an early day this week ill go get the vin off him

[JDNSW]

the thing in front of the passenger side tank is just a little storage compartment. And the horn is on its own bracket on the steering column.

It came with two different workshop manuals and an interesting book about series rivers in general. if I get an early day this week ill go get the vin off him

To be a bit pedantic, it will not have a VIN, it will have a chassis number. The VIN system was not introduced until after the Series 2/2a. The horn button on the bracket is standard from about 1954 - 1962 (did not change to centre push at any specified time or suffix).

John

[that_kid]

ok so i got enthusiastic and got finished work early to go and get the numbers.

The engine number was simple, the chassis number however... Ill let the pics do the talking

Dennis (dinty) said it would be on the LHS rear spring hanger, so my interpretation of this was:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/205.jpg

I cleaned the crap off all of what i could see and no number, im going to assume the tank is obstructing it. that or im retarded.

The plates in the cab have removed from what i can see and replaced with this giant piece of aluminium. What i remember from my s3 there is a couple of smaller ones where this big one is?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/206.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/207.jpg

Theres a few colours in the engine bay, and its got a stromberg on it. (not original?)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/208.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/209.jpg

A better look at the dash

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/210.jpg

Incisor mentioned something about 4 holes behind the blue tin

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/211.jpg

passenger side door frames in better condition then the drivers

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/212.jpg


So I'm hoping i was just looking in the wrong spot for the chassis number, now that i think about it you fellas might have meant the rear rear hanger as in at the rear bar. Someone clarify for me?

Cheers :)

[isuzurover]

REAR spring hanger for the REAR LHS spring. Move your wire brush 36" rearward.

Also have a go at that plate in the "glove box" with sandpaper to see if there are any numbers on it.
The stromberg is not ooriginal - would have had a solex.
The number on the cylinder head is a casting number. The engine number is on a diagonal at the front LHS of the engine, just below the head.

[korg20000bc]

Better yet, drop the sand paper and rub it with a rag soaked in brake fluid. That'll get the paint off without damaging the surface- if there is anything to see. But I doubt it. The army plate didn't have rounded edges and I suspect it has just been put there to cover up the LHD steering column hole.

What's that poking through the left hand footwell?

[that_kid]

REAR spring hanger for the REAR LHS spring. Move your wire brush 36" rearward.

Also have a go at that plate in the "glove box" with sandpaper to see if there are any numbers on it.
The stromberg is not ooriginal - would have had a solex.
The number on the cylinder head is a casting number. The engine number is on a diagonal at the front LHS of the engine, just below the head.


MY mistake ill TRY again tomorrow,

solex or zenith was my understanding,

still only the rust in the drivers side pillar and bottoms of the door frames that i can find so far so nothing major, although the chassis is coated in thick black crap.....

[that_kid]

Engine number - 151021714
Chassis number - 143901046

[Landy Smurf]

Type: Land Rover



43

Model: Land Rover, Series II




Body type: Basic




Wheel base: 88in (Short Wheel Base, SWB)




Engine: Petrol




Destination: Right-hand drive (RHD), completely knocked down (CKD)



9

Model year: 1959



01046

Serial number

[that_kid]

thats awesome i was really hoping it would be pre - 60.

So does that mean it was a civvy issue not mil spec?

[isuzurover]

thats awesome i was really hoping it would be pre - 60.

So does that mean it was a civvy issue not mil spec?

58'-61' range mean you have a Series II, not a IIA. If it has the correct front axle then the steering arms should be on top of the swivels, not on the bottom, as mentioned.

AFAIK both civvie and military landies were shipped as CKD (completely knocked down - AKA partly dismantled, with final assembly done here).

You will have to cross reference with REMLR's records to see if it is military.


EDIT:
http://www.remlr.com/ARN/ARNseries2.html
A quick search does not reveal anything.

[that_kid]

58'-61' range mean you have a Series II, not a IIA. .


[thumbsupbig] may have not found the chassis number at first but im not a total sped,


its more then twice my age! best part is it was free :) :)

[Dinty]

It does have Military heritage, the chassis No 143901046 ARN 110-577 engine No (as fitted originally) 151911982.
I had a close look at your pix, that is what prompted me to look at the ARN list within REMLR. The Land Rover has way too many fittings not to have been an ex S2 Comm/Recon, it was disposed of on 5/7/68.
I would guess and say that the bulkhead (original one) was either accident damaged or rusty beyond repair, most of the original dash has been utilised, but you are missing the Nomenclature plate which is attached by 4 2BA panhead bolts etc, what you have on the replacement bulkhead is what is fitted to cover the hole for LHdrive, anyway lots of other things missing and changed as well but that does not deny it's heritage cheers Dennis

[isuzurover]

It does have Military heritage, the chassis No 143901046 ARN 110-577 engine No (as fitted originally) 151911982.
I had a close look at your pix, that is what prompted me to look at the ARN list within REMLR. The Land Rover has way too many fittings not to have been an ex S2 Comm/Recon, it was disposed of on 5/7/68.
I would guess and say that the bulkhead (original one) was either accident damaged or rusty beyond repair, most of the original dash has been utilised, but you are missing the Nomenclature plate which is attached by 4 2BA panhead bolts etc, what you have on the replacement bulkhead is what is fitted to cover the hole for LHdrive, anyway lots of other things missing and changed as well but that does not deny it's heritage cheers Dennis

Well spotted.

All that can be said for sure though is the chassis is ex-mil. Though any body panels with the right colour paint underneath are likely to be as well.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/08/134.jpg

[that_kid]

looking at the picture isuzurover posted, and what someone mentioned earlier about their being rivets missing across the top of the windshield, there is a line of stainless bolts there now where the hard top mounts up.

I am a bit disappointed its not the original motor however.


Now i know how its going to look once its restored anyway :)

Thanks everyone for all the help! watch this space, once my D2 is fixed in the next few weeks and the ATO recieve their money, this will be getting put back on the road.

I am going to get the trim piece for below the doors as mine is missing, and ill remove that storage bin on the pass side. SO much to do, and I was planning on chopping the D2 into a ute over xmas period, going to be verrrrryyyyy busy indeed :clap2: