1950 80inch hardtop genuine or not?

**Bundalene** · 21st November 2014, 11:24 AM

As mentioned in our restoration thread, I purchased an 80 inch from a scrap metal dealer, basically saved it. I wasn't aware how rare the 80 inch hardtops are. I have been doing a bit of research and am led to believe that the hardtop was introduces in Feb 1950 (James Taylor's Book)

I was after running gear for a 1951 which I am restoring and was told about this one, which ticked most of the boxes, was cheap and I thought it was to be scrapped anyhow so what the heck. The front of the roof is cut, the roof has a hole for shooting I assume and there is a hole for the driver to shine a spotlight.

Can someone please shed some light on whether this a genuine hardtop. I will include as many pics as requested. The body fit seems too far out (even by Land Rovers standards) I believe it is a genuine Series hardtop

The length of the hardtop - rear of door to back corner 1068mm

The length from the rear corner to th front (approx due to the cut) 1877mm

Roof pics

Rear - overhangs a little - may push forward though

Rear tub mount, I read this on another post RE an 86 inch hardtop but am not sure as to what the reference is?

Originally Posted by bulletproof

Hi Ray
The one sure way to identify a genuine Station wagon is by looking at the rear corner of the tub

On all Landrover EXCEPT Station Wagons their is a hole punched for a bolt to hold the rear pipe for the canvas

On Station Wagons the hole is only half punched out.

Rear corner above the rear light

Zoomed in you can see the half punched hole

Cheers Richard

This is a pic of the mount in ours

I can take any pics required

Erich

**JDNSW** · 21st November 2014, 02:54 PM

Unless I am mistaken the comments re the 86 station wagon are inapplicable, since, other than the Tickford and a small number of others with coachbuilt bodies, there were no 80" station wagons, as these were only introduced with the 86.

John

**Landy Smurf** · 21st November 2014, 03:03 PM

Here is the one that is sitting mrs Hohars 80" which then ended up on Glenns 80" Sweetpea

**wrinklearthur** · 22nd November 2014, 06:26 AM

I had better start taking some photo's of the two 80" tops I have here, is there any thing in particular you would like to see?

And!!! maybe a swap for that 'shooters' top panel for a one that's not cut about?

The spare one I have here does have a short tear in the galvanised section in LHS front corner that will need a bit of welding and it will also need a bit of massage in a couple of places, the kids did used it as a punt on the ponds up at the farm. Other than that its not too bad.

The spare side panels will be fitted onto another top I have here, they will replace a couple of creased ones and then those replaced one's may be up for grabs as well. none of which have the rear corner windows cut in.

Taking photos is easy, but I detest the time taken to download them into a format that has the correct size file to be sent to the forum. I always am finding something else that that is more urgent.

I am a bit reluctant to pick the eyes out of the parts of the incomplete 80" I have here. But if there is someway of swapping parts so that two can then be built up, I am happy to sort something out.
.

**Bundalene** · 22nd November 2014, 07:15 AM

Thanks for the offer Arthur. It would be great if you could get me the 2 dimensions - the length from the very front of the roof to the rear corner, not including the rear gutter, and also from the vertical section behind the doors again to the rear.

If I was to rebuild this, I think I would restore it back to a shooting wagon with roof spotlight and some sort of hinged cover over the hole in the roof, Holden motor, ............ I had a good look at it this morning and the whole hardtop needs re-fitting, lifting and slight move forward. It will be a labour of love to get previous history on this.

Did these come out without the rear corner windows, those near the tailgate?

Erich

**wrinklearthur** · 22nd November 2014, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by Bundalene

Thanks for the offer Arthur. It would be great if you could get me the 2 dimensions - the length from the very front of the roof to the rear corner, not including the rear gutter, and also from the vertical section behind the doors again to the rear.

Hi Erich

I can get you those measurements and should be able to post them on here at lunch time.

Did these come out without the rear corner windows, those near the tailgate?

The only factory fitted rear corner windows I am aware of, where those that were fitted into the 86" / 88" and 107" /109" Station wagon tops.

Ref; Series 1, Parts Catalogue ( Part No 4107 ).
Page 325, 86 and 88 Station Wagon, Body Panels and Windows.

Item...........Description........................ ..........Qty..........Part No..
.27.............Glass for rear side window................2...........306269..
.28.............Weather strip for glass....................2...........306287..
.29.............Filler strip for weather strip..............2...........306289..
.

**Lotz-A-Landies** · 22nd November 2014, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Landy Smurf

Here is the one that is sitting mrs Hohars 80" which then ended up on Glenns 80" Sweetpea

I remember one exactly the same as that!

I had one surprisingly similar to it on my Haulmark PT1-1.2 trailer!

**russellrovers** · 22nd November 2014, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Bundalene

Thanks for the offer Arthur. It would be great if you could get me the 2 dimensions - the length from the very front of the roof to the rear corner, not including the rear gutter, and also from the vertical section behind the doors again to the rear.

If I was to rebuild this, I think I would restore it back to a shooting wagon with roof spotlight and some sort of hinged cover over the hole in the roof, Holden motor, ............ I had a good look at it this morning and the whole hardtop needs re-fitting, lifting and slight move forward. It will be a labour of love to get previous history on this.

Did these come out without the rear corner windows, those near the tailgate?

Erich

hi its 80 1nch side panels and they stuck a 86 inch top on

**wrinklearthur** · 22nd November 2014, 01:10 PM

Measurements for length of 80" top and sides

Overall length 74", from back corner to the front of galvanised section, without including the back gutter.

Length of the aluminium only 71 1/8", without including the back gutter.

Length of side to door opening 41 7/8"

Showing measurement of door opening.

Spare top section showing damaged corner.
.

**Bundalene** · 23rd November 2014, 08:44 AM

Thanks everyone, especially Russell and Arthur in identifying the hardtop. It appears that this 51 model is not as original as it could have been. There are lots of parts missing and there are many alterations and additions since delivery sometime in early 1950 (I suspect)

I have doused the chassis and firewall with a few litres of CRC at this stage and will keep the old girl as a garden ornament, completely intact alongside our driveway, (rather than park it up the back out of sight). At the end of the day the car had an excellent chassis and a near perfect firewall and lots of other desirable bits like an original steering box and brake master cylinder.

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1950 80inch hardtop genuine or not?

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