Series I Paddock find - Bought it on the spot

[spudboy]

I had an unexpected purchase yesterday! Even though I have been on the lookout for a nice Series IIA or III I came across a 1955 86" that had been sitting in a paddock out in the open for the last 5 years, and I couldn't say no to it.

After a chat with the farmer (who was happy to dispose of it) we got some fuel and jumper leads and after 2 or 3 minutes of cranking and pumping on the accellerator it sprang to life, much to both our surprise. I took it for a small drive around the paddock and it went pretty well for a 50+ year old car that hadn't moved for 5 years.

He only wanted $250 and even after I offered him twice that the still said $250, so no complaints about the price.

It's got a PTO that still works but no shaft, and a hand throttle (why doesn't my 130 have one of these...?). He gave me a workshop manual and a bunch of small spare parts from when he rebuilt the engine. The canopy is ruined but I think I can get another from Exmoor Trim in the UK. The brakes are binding but I am hoping that is only an adjustment issue. The springs are pretty rusted so not sure if they'll need replacing or can be refurbished.

I was pretty happy with all that, as you can imagine. Now I just have to clear some space in the shed to keep it out of the weather and start doing a few fix-up jobs.

[camel_landy]

Blimey... :eek: Top find! :thumbsup:

M

[Outback 1]

well done , i'd have bought it for that price too
what a bargain:D

[spudboy]

A few more photos....

[Quiggers]

Well done!

GQ

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Great looking '54-'55 86" - the horn button and dip switch is worth as much on ebay as you paid for the whole vehicle.

You can't kill those little engines with a stick! May leak oil and be smoky but they still run.

Good Work

Diana

Addit: the vacuum advance is missing and the distributor is way out - I would be checking the timing.

P.S. that car had a governor at some stage - did it come with the other bits in the car?

[spudboy]

Is the dip switch the thing next to the horn button?

Also, what is the galvanised "sliding" control pictured behind the gear lever (the one that slides left and right)? I thought it was going to be the hand throttle, but that is the lever to the right that pulls in and out.

[spudboy]

Tell what a govenor looks like, and what it is used for.....

[awabbit6]

What a fantastic find and it's a runner! - well done!

And the price!!:eek::eek:

[Roverray]

Good one Spudboy
the governer keeps the engine at a set revs under load changes to run the pto driven equipment.
The lever might be to engage pto equipment??

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Tell what a govenor looks like, and what it is used for.....
The dip switch is the thing next to the horn button - it may need to be repaired, an instrument fitter did mine. You can also use a change over relay in the control circuit to to prevent the blackout that sometimes occurs with worn ones.

The governor is a rounded big chunk of metal with a "V" pulley on the front and a couple of levers on the side. It is used when doing PTO work and keeps the revs constant while the load comes on and off the implement (sort of like a cruise control). The galvanised control quadrant is connected to it by a long rod and a second rod goes back to the accelerator linkage. It mounts on the three funny bolts at the front of the thermostat housing. The presence of those bolts on a '54-'55 indicates that there was a governor.

If you have it, I am interested in buying, however on eBay it would go for hundreds of dollars.

Diana

[Defender=1st]

What a great buy.

[UncleHo]

G'day Spudboy :)

Brilliant Buy :D:eek::D What a find, OK the semicircular thing with the serations is the Hand Throttle, the little bent lever thing to the right of the starter button would be the Govenor control/engagment lever, both can be used independantly of each other, the Hand Throttle was standard fittment on all military Series 2/2a's the later ones and 3's had a straight control lever, the Distributor Vaccuum advance pipe to the Carby is missing, but is a standard Lucas unit, and would still be available through KB Classic Spares in Qld, the Dist looks like it is one or more Cam teeth out of alignment but that is an easy fix,Vacc advance should point down towards front of motor from memory, Lotz-A-Landies will confirm that I think :)


The Canopy looks good but might need to be totally re-sewn as the stitching looks dead ;) and replace the rear Perspec window and you have a VERY NICE Vehicle,the brakes will need need a complete Overhaul with all rubbers renewed and new Rad Hoses and off to Cooma 2008 :D complete with it's original good condition paintwork :)

cheers

[FenianEel]

That is just awesome!
If I was the envious type, I'd say YOU SUCK:mad:

But I'm not so congratualtions!!:clap2::BigThumb:

[spudboy]

Yeah - Mrs Spudboy said what about going to Cooma in it but I said "you're joking". It would take DAYS from Adelaide at 75Km/h!

Are there spare parts etc for sale at Cooma or is it just show/shine/participation stuff?

[spudboy]

That is just awesome!
If I was the envious type, I'd say YOU SUCK:mad:

But I'm not so congratualtions!!:clap2::BigThumb:

Bit of a lucky find really. It pays to ask questions sometimes!

I was talking to the guy's son (who was checking out my 130) and he offered that he liked LRs because his first car was an old 86" and actually.. his dad wanted to get rid of it out of his paddock. So a few phone calls later and there you are! New car in the shed :D

[spudboy]

What is the hole in the front mudguard (directly above the wheel bolts) for? Blinker light? Rear view mirror?

There is an equivalent hole on the other side too.

[Fourgearsticks]

What is the hole in the front mudguard (directly above the wheel bolts) for? Blinker light? Rear view mirror?

There is an equivalent hole on the other side too.


Hole for a rubber bump stop for the door when it swings right forward.

[isuzurover]

Great buy!!!

[UncleHo]

G'day Spudboy :)

Yes, that is for the bumpstop,Lotz-A-Landies will be able to give you a part number and where to get them I should imagine:)

It might also be worth getting on to "Ellard" who is in North SA as they are driving a convoy of Series 1s to Cooma next year including a Firetruck, he may also be able to help with info and bits.

cheers

[JDNSW]

That has to be the best Series 1 'find' I have seen for many years! Who said there are not bargains to be found out there! I would have grabbed it at twice the price - and I am not even looking for a S1!

Congratulations!

Of course, with such a good start you have a moral obligation to restore it to registered condition and appear at Cooma.

Note to Uncle Ho - in the Series 1, the standard hand throttle was the hooked lever next to the choke under the instrument panel. The quadrant was intended for the governor, although it was used for the hand throttle in the S2/2a and retrospectively in some S1s. In this case the throttle lever and governor control would have originally been used as designed, although heaven knows how they are connected now.

John

[4bee]

What a great opportunity! :D


If you have the WS Manual 1954 - 57 P/N 4057, you will find most of your queries on "Extra Equipment" (their words ;)) are answered to the rear of the book commencing 'Section T', including PTO, Governor operation etc.


Now, I will deffo know it's you when I see you on Greenhill Road.:D

[spudboy]

Hi 4Bee - I have the 1948-58 Land Rover Series I Workshop Manual, part No 4291, so not quite the same, but it does have an Extra Equipment section at the back.

Some bedtime reading for the next few nights (except that the manual is oily and dusty so it may not be allowed into the bedroom by Mrs Spud.)

[4bee]

(except that the manual is oily and dusty so it may not be allowed into the bedroom by Mrs Spud.)

Yours too, huh? ;) I wonder why that is? They're only apx. 50 years olde.:D:D:D:D


Not Mrs Spud, the Manuals.:D

[Killer]

Well done Spudboy, very tidy looking vehicle for one that has been sitting in a paddock for five years.

Cheers, Mick.

[spudboy]

Yours too, huh? ;) I wonder why that is? They're only apx. 50 years olde.:D:D:D:D


Not Mrs Spud, the Manuals.:D

Well Mrs Spud is 46 - the same as me, so we are both younger than the car. She is quite understanding when it comes to LRs so she's a good (old) stick! She humours me a lot.

I am sure there are worse hobbies, but I can't immediately think of any as I sit here typing. Horse ownership might be the only one that comes to mind.

[spudboy]

Well done Spudboy, very tidy looking vehicle for one that has been sitting in a paddock for five years.

Cheers, Mick.

Thanks - Aluminium panels make ALL the difference. Imagine a 50 year old standard car with 5 years of weathering.

[4bee]

A friend of mine, Bob of Carey Gully, still has a '56 S1 although he modded it with hard top & other things. Still has the 21/4 engine with overdrive.
Years ago they drove it to Cape York towing a caravan, but left the van up the track somewhere until they came back for it.

Then they drove home via The Alice. Didn't miss a beat allegedly.

[JDNSW]

.... Still has the 21/4 engine with overdrive.
.....

If it is a 2 1/4 it is not the original - would have had a 2l engine of quite different design.

The 2l S1 engine is regarded by many as a "nicer" engine than the 2.25. This may be because it was designed as a car engine, where the 2.25 was designed from scratch as a four wheel drive engine, and although it is around 25% more powerful is perhaps not as quiet and smooth.

John

[numpty]

If it is a 2 1/4 it is not the original - would have had a 2l engine of quite different design.

The 2l S1 engine is regarded by many as a "nicer" engine than the 2.25. This may be because it was designed as a car engine, where the 2.25 was designed from scratch as a four wheel drive engine, and although it is around 25% more powerful is perhaps not as quiet and smooth.

John

And that would be the siamese bore 2l, not the later spread bore which appeared in the 88" and 109" Series 1's.

[mudmouse]

WOW!!! That was a fantastic score...and you're a top sport making sure the farmer was happy with the deal - good on you.

As for the brakes, I found that same problem with a '43 Willys I used to have. The problem was the flexible brake lines were swollen and filled with crud. This meant the brake pedal had a good feel to it and could actuate the cylinders but the restriction wouldn't allow the pressure to bleed off and so the brakes partially stayed on. I removed the flexible hoses and blew out the pipes with an air pencil then fitted newies and fresh fluid - hey presto, all better.

Have fun mate, that's just what I've been after:D:D

[4bee]

If it is a 2 1/4 it is not the original - would have had a 2l engine of quite different design.

I realise that it would have been an IOE, John. It was how he got it years ago.
There was some mention that it may have been an Ex-Mil engine due to it having a longer than normal Oil Filter, but that was never substantiated.

[JDNSW]

And that would be the siamese bore 2l, not the later spread bore which appeared in the 88" and 109" Series 1's.

According to Taylor, the spread bore was introduced in 1955, and so would have been in the 56. But my remarks apply to both engines.

John

[Grizzly_Adams]

All I can say is WOW.

You lucky lucky bastard :D:D:D

Congratulations!

[Larry]

$250:eek2::eek2::eek2:
:arms::arms::arms::arms::arms::arms:

[rosettaquarrier]

Fantastic :D

I'm very jealous, living the Adelaide Hills myself - where was it?

Top result for you.

Cheers

Chaz

[olmate]

Well done mate. :D I am very jealous, you have done very well. :D

[easo]

You little bobby dazzler.

Very jealous.

Easo

[Lotz-A-Landies]

G'day Spudboy :)

Yes, that is for the bumpstop,Lotz-A-Landies will be able to give you a part number and where to get them I should imagine:)
Rover Part number 304110 - they are a very common rubber stop, you can get them at lots of places Clark Rubber sometimes or the usual UK suspects.


It might also be worth getting on to "Ellard" who is in North SA as they are driving a convoy of Series 1s to Cooma next year including a Firetruck, he may also be able to help with info and bits.
cheers

Yes and the Trans Tasman LR Series 1 group are having a BYO BBQ on the Friday Night at Polo-Flat. I'm sure Wayne can bring you along.


... OK the semicircular thing with the serations is the Hand Throttle, the little bent lever thing to the right of the starter button would be the Govenor control/engagment lever, both can be used independantly of each other,

I read the service bulletin on them a while ago - each notch in the control quadrant relates to 200RPM I seem to remember.

Diana

[spudboy]

Fantastic :D

I'm very jealous, living the Adelaide Hills myself - where was it?

Chaz

It was in between Balhannah (where I live) and Woodside, but it was a circuitous route and I never would have found it without his son to guide me. There's alot of properties out there I've never seen and I've lived here for 10 years.

[LRHybrid100]

Geez - TOP find

[rosettaquarrier]

I'm just down the road in Bridgewater :)

I wonder if there are any more lurking out there? Fingers crossed!

Chaz



It was in between Balhannah (where I live) and Woodside, but it was a circuitous route and I never would have found it without his son to guide me. There's alot of properties out there I've never seen and I've lived here for 10 years.

[jsp]

going to have to catch up one day and check this beastie out! looks great for its age/storage arrangements.

[4bee]

I wonder if there are any more lurking out there?Now you will be looking with suspicion at every large clump of Blackberry bushes you pass, in case there is a tumbledown old shed with a 1946 centre steer in it.:D

I still do this after looking with suspicion for old stationary engines. There must still be some doozies hiding away in the Hills at the end of some of the dairy, orchard & garden tracks.

That's how I got my S1 Workshop Manual. An Estate Agent friend discovered it for me in an old motor shed.
My first question was, "He didn't happen to have the vehicle hiding there as well, did he?"


Sadly not.:(



Rover Part number 304110 - they are a very common rubber stop, you can get them at lots of places Clark Rubber sometimes or the usual UK suspects.


They look identical to the rubber buffers as used on the rear of S2A seat backs. Screw through the centre.

[RichardK]

Top buy............congratulations!!

[BigJon]

I'm just down the road in Bridgewater :)



My folks are in Bridgewater, I will be there in about 10 days...

[Lotz-A-Landies]

They look identical to the rubber buffers as used on the rear of S2A seat backs. Screw through the centre.
Unfortunately no they are not the same as the seat rests. These ones have no screw, they are held in place by a groove running around the diameter at the back of the stop similar to a grommet.

Diana

[4bee]

I bow to your knowledge, Diana.

The one's I saw could not have been original spec. then.:)

[MacMan]

You owe that farmer a slab.

Well done!

[rosettaquarrier]

Now you will be looking with suspicion at every large clump of Blackberry bushes you pass, in case there is a tumbledown old shed with a 1946 centre steer in it.


I already do :p

[rosettaquarrier]

My folks are in Bridgewater, I will be there in about 10 days...

I'll look out for your Rangie. I'm in either a Desert Sand Stage 1 Ute or White '85 County - now that's what I call freedom of choice :p

[4bee]

Maybe we Alice & Hills-ites should arrange a get together while BJ is here & pay homage to Spud's S1?:D