Another 2A widelight back on the road.

[mick88]

Another 88 inch Series 2A widelight back on the road.
I am the second owner, it was purchased new from Regent Motors, Melbourne, 24th., December 1971 for sum of $3770-00, including ORC and some extras.
The extras included, single rear door $100.00, Deluxe Trim $44.00, two sun visors $14.55, 7.00 x 16 x 6 tyres $94.00, rear seats $50.00.
I am not sure what the "Deluxe Trim" was, maybe the heater/demister, as there is not any cabin trim of any sort.
The six inch rims are galvanised.
The vehicle spent it's life around the Northcote area as mainly weekend transport for a family of four, but was never taken off road, and the only trip it ever undertook was to Mildura. It was still registered when I purchased it a few years ago and the speedo had been changed from an imperial one to a metric one when the vehicle had covered exactly the equivalent of 100,000 kilometres, and since then it had done another 24550 kilometres. It also had a pointless electronic ignition and a Franz by-pass oil filter.

Cheers, Mick.

[grey_ghost]

Looking great Mick88 - will have to have a good look at it when I am up there soon... [emoji1303][emoji6]

[JDNSW]

Looks very nice!

[rangieman]

Well done Mick :BigThumb:

[gromit]

Nice one Mick,

Great to have some of the history with the vehicle as well.




Colin

[Chops]

Great stuff Mick.

Road trip plans?? 😬

[JohnboyLandy]

Nice Mick, I have a 71 2a widelight, hoping to be on the road within a couple of months.

How much work did you have to do to yours ? And more pics please !!

Cheers,
John

[Homestar]

Great to see you have it on the road again mate, that is a sweet little unit. [smilebigeye]

[87County]

Good one MIck - I'll look forward to seeing it one day - I'm presently in FNQ

[mick88]

Nice Mick, I have a 71 2a widelight, hoping to be on the road within a couple of months.

How much work did you have to do to yours ? And more pics please !!

Cheers,
John

John, I could have had it on the road a lot sooner, but I had a few other projects going on and as a result it got shelved for a few years.
For the last ten or so years before I purchased it the vehicle wasn't garaged, but just parked in the street, so it was very weathered, paintwork faded, lichens on the roof, doors and door-tops rotted. I removed the tub, seat box, hardtop, etc, had all the gal capping regalvanised, purchased new doors and door-tops, and pulled the motor out to repaint it. I ended up going a bit overboard there by stripping the donk down and fitting new bearings (big end and main), rings, cam chain, etc. It was a good thing I did pull the head off as one valve was burnt and needed replacing, so I gave the rest a grind and got the seats cut. The core plugs in the head were machined out and fitted brass welch plugs. As a matter of course I had the radiator overhauledand I also put a kit through the water pump.

The previous owner had been very particular with it, especially in his and it's younger years, so all the hydraulic cylinders on the clutch and braking system had been stainless steel sleeved and he had always run silicone hydraulic fluid, but given the age of the vehicle I replaced all the hydraulic cylinders. The steering relay had been removed and wrapped in Denso tape just after he purchased the vehicle, so it just lifted out of the chassis to have new seals fitted. The rest of the steering components were good as new and the previous owner told me he had fitted stainless steel components in the railco's/kingpins, but he didn't elaborate, so I am not certain of the exact details.
Because I had the motor out, I had the flywheel machined and fitted a new clutch assembly, probably an overkill, but easier than having to do it later on. I also fitted turned the ring gear over while I had the flywheel off and overhauled the starter motor. The vehicle had a Lucas alternator which started giving a few intermittent issues after I got the engine running again and as some parts are no longer available, I tossed it and fitted a new Lucas one (about $220). Regarding the brakes, drums were in spec, but I fitted new shoes.

Upholstery wise the seats were very hard, cracked, and basically seen better days, so I lashed out and purchased a new set of elephant grey ones from Exmoor Trim. They are exy, but excellent quality. When I purchased the vehicle it came with a myriad of spare parts, all OEM new parts. The guy said I have some other "stuff" here for you too, but I will have to clean the house out, so I will give you a call when I find them. He lived alone and didn't throw much out. ;) Years passed, then one day he phoned and said you better come down and collect those bits and pieces for your Land Rover. Well among the "goodies" was a box containing a full set of original elephant grey squabs and backs, still in yellow plastic bags.

I also fitted all new rubbers to the hard top and new window rubbers, plus de-rusted the fuel tank and lined it with PVC Glue.

The plan now is to enjoy driving it and as I get time, respray sections of the bodywork.


Cheers, Mick.

[67hardtop]

Great job Mick

[JohnboyLandy]

Hi Mick, I like your method of distributing the glue in the fuel tank - genius !!

Cheers,
John

[Kimsl70]

Great work mate, as already said, its wonderful to have the history as well.

[Mick_Marsh]

I have a thing for the 2a wide lights, and yours is a fine example.
Job well done.