Thread: Series Landies

I hope you mean 2 and 2a, because there is no 1a.

There are a few ways, but checking what year it was built is a good start. Pics also help

Originally Posted by Mud_Bogger6

Hi guys I'm not sure where to post this so I posted it here.

I was left a series land rover and I just need to know how to tell the difference between a series 1 and series 1a.

Cheers

Mick

As Phoenix suggests photos help however if you have the chassis number or car number from the aluminium ID plate punch the numbers into this site. http://www.classiclandrovers.com/?pa...nts/vinlookup&

Diana

Yes - Congrats on getting your first Series Landy Would be good to see some pics.

I think I may have picked up my first Series 1, will know in a few days, I am very happy if it has come off

Originally Posted by Mud_Bogger6

Hi guys I'm not sure where to post this so I posted it here.


I was left a series land rover and I just need to know how to tell the difference between a series 1 and series 1a.

Cheers

As the others have said - no such thing as a Series 1a.

Rough guide to distinguish Series -

If it has pedals that go through the floor, it is Series 1. They also have flat sides, although some military Series 2 & 3 do as well. There were a lot of changes during production, with major changes in 1951 and 1953, and earlier ones are much rarer and more collectible.

If it has a plastic dashboard with the instruments in front of the driver, it is a Series 3. Series 3 also have a plastic rather than metal grille.

This leaves Series 2 and 2a. They have an all metal dash with the instruments in the centre like the Series 1, pedals that hang down like the Series 3 and except for some (rare in Australia) military ones they have a distinct waist rather than completely flat sides, with the sides above the waist sloping in slightly. Also, unlike other Series, the windscreen hinges are not made as part of the bulkhead and windscreen frame right at the edge, but are separate parts in a bit from the edge.

The simplest way of distinguishing the 2 from the 2a is to look at the chassis number (on a plate in front of the gearlever on the bulkhead and on the LH rear spring hanger). If this has a letter after the number it is a 2a, although there were more changes during 2a production than between the 2 and 2a, so the distinction is not all that relevant.

In fact, there were more changes during production of any of the Series than between Series, whether 1, 2, 2a or 3.

All Series Landrovers up to about 1969 (during 2a) had the headlights in the radiator panel, after that in the mudguards, although some retained the old layout.

Since many of the parts are interchangeable between 2, 2a and 3, or for that matter late Series 1, it is often difficult to be certain what you are looking at, and ultimately the chassis number is the only certain identification.

John

Originally Posted by JDNSW

As the others have said - no such thing as a Series 1a.



John

Had that 'old chest nut' argument a few times.

Easo

Originally Posted by JDNSW

As the others have said - no such thing as a Series 1a. ... ...In fact, there were more changes during production of any of the Series than between Series, whether 1, 2, 2a or 3. ... John

John is correct, but to go one further there were more changes within the 80" models 1948 - 1953 than there were subsequent changes in all the later series vehicles.

Diana

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

John is correct, but to go one further there were more changes within the 80" models 1948 - 1953 than there were subsequent changes in all the later series vehicles.

Diana

Not sure that would be right if you added them all up (and I have not done so and have no intention of doing so!), but I agree with where you are coming from.

Despite (and in part because of) the unexpected success of the Landrover when introduced, Rover rapidly found a lot of improvements were indicated - some fixing problems that showed up in the field, but probably just as many to ease production in the light of the fact that they were making far more than anticipated, and they just went ahead and made them.

Rover was never averse to making improvements without changing the model designation, and it is difficult to see why they changed when they did. I suppose the styling change with the S2 was a real break, but the 88" Series 1 had a lot more in common with the 88" Series 2 than it did with the 80". And the only defining point for the change to 2a was the enlarged diesel engine.

And then there were transition models, such as the continuance of the 2litre petrol engine in the initial Series 2s, and the introduction of the all synchro gearbox in the last of the 2as.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Not sure that would be right if you added them all up (and I have not done so and have no intention of doing so!), but I agree with where you are coming from. ...

John

It was a quote from someone I respect with knowledge on the subject and will have to find the source document.

That said, by the start of the 86" model the essential configuration was set for the next almost 20 years initially and in some respects for a long time after.

• Selectable 4WD
• spring widths and lengths
• Dash panel/firewall layout
• Steering box mounting.

At the start of the Series 2 the body design was set and was essentially the same even today. It is why you can take the read door off a 1959 station wagon and fit it to a Defender 110 extreme.

The changes along the way have mostly been tinkering and incremental.