Help wanted on IIA history

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Originally Posted by UncleHo

G'day Lotz-A-Landies :)

Hi Diana, well it goes to show that there is a time gap in what was the english printed books (for world use) and the sequence of the Australian CKD vehicles, with the Series 2's still into the showrooms/sales well into 1961,and the 2a's becoming available when the 2's dried up, this is similar to the release dates for the Range Rover in Aust,1971(UK-June 1970) and the Disco 1991, when the Disco was on sale in UK in 1989.

cheers

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Actually I believe its error in the Master Parts Catalogue.

There are too many sources indicating that the SIIa didn't start until the 1962 production year.

From Grenville Motors allocations books we have 1961 SII models still available in the beginning of 1962.

When you use the Classic Land Rovers VIN calculator (which I believe is more accurate than CalVIN) you get it reporting SII models correct in 1961 and even giving a production number. The vehicle below is the last 1961 model in the Grenville books.
Chassis / VIN number : 143102230
Land Rover
Land Rover series 2 88"
Model 143 Series 2 88"
Body style Basic
Engine type 2.25l (2286cc) petrol
Market, Steering (3) CKD (Export), RHD
Model year 1 1961
Serial Number 02230 Number 2230 of 2302 numbered from 1 to 2302

Then we punch in the Snowy Mountains SIIa 88 mentioned previously and we get model year listed as 1962-1971. Even the suffix a is listed as October 1961 the start of the 1962 production year.
Chassis / VIN number : 24300001A
Land Rover
Land Rover series 2A 88"
Model 243 Series 2A 88"
Model year 1962-1971
Body style Basic
Engine type 2.25l (2286cc) petrol
Market, Steering (3) CKD (Export), RHD
Serial Number 00001 Number 1
Suffix A 1st revision of this model. Suffix used from introduction in October 1961 to March 1963.

When you replace the export market CKD "3" with the home market "1" you get the same model year information, except this time it lists the number produced.

Chassis / VIN number : 24100001a
Land Rover
Land Rover series 2A 88"
Model 241 Series 2A 88"
Model year 1962-1971
Body style Basic
Engine type 2.25l (2286cc) petrol
Market, Steering (1) Home market, RHD
Serial Number 00001 Number 1 of 42494 numbered from 1 to 42494
Suffix A 1st revision of this model. Suffix used from introduction in October 1961 to March 1963.

Even CalVIN agrees with 1962

Just to put my oar in, my understanding is that the 2a (243) numbers did not use a fourth number to specify the year. This is confirmed by the numbers listed in the front of the workshop manual, and also Taylor confirms this as a basic change in the numbering system for Rover cars as well as the Landrover.

John

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Originally Posted by JDNSW

Just to put my oar in, my understanding is that the 2a (243) numbers did not use a fourth number to specify the year.
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Absolutely John.

The Series IIA commenced with a completely new set of number sequences of eight digits and a suffix letter without a year indicator as opposed to the mid series I and series II that had sequences with nine digits, including a year indicator but no suffix letter. What is more important is that this change occurred for the 1962 production year and not before.

Regarding the time gap between the UK and Australia in the Range Rover (mentioned a few posts above) there is no gap between the launch of Range Rover at the Paris Motor show in June 1970 and the production models being available in Australia. The vehicle/s on display in Paris were actually full trim pre-production models out of a hand built batch of 20 such pre-pros, with actual production models ramping up afterwards. As we know the Rover Co. Production year commences with a change over in August, so the first "production" Range Rovers were actually 1971 models, the same year model as the few we got out here.

Thanks to everyone for all this interesting info. The VIN on the rego papers is "2430988". I carefully cleaned up the stamped area (above the rear left spring hanger) with a wire brush and turps but there is just nothing there. It all seems very lightly stamped and even the "988" is only just visible with the area wet, a strong edge light and a magnifying glass. I guess I'll be happy with a 1964-66 date. Thanks again for all your assistance.

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Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

The 2430 is correct for an SIIa 88 of about 1964-66 but without the last digit and suffix letter it's impossible to tell.

What chassis number (VIN) is shown on the rego papers?

Have you tried lightly linishing the chassis number surface with a flat file, it may remove later corrosion and reveal the remnants of the missing digits!

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Originally Posted by Bunjeel

Thanks to everyone for all this interesting info. The VIN on the rego papers is "2430988". I carefully cleaned up the stamped area (above the rear left spring hanger) with a wire brush and turps but there is just nothing there. It all seems very lightly stamped and even the "988" is only just visible with the area wet, a strong edge light and a magnifying glass. I guess I'll be happy with a 1964-66 date. Thanks again for all your assistance.

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You could try polishing the area to a mirror finish of bright metal, and then etching it, is likely to show up the distortion of iron crystals where it was stamped. But I doubt it is worth the effort!

John

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Originally Posted by Bunjeel

Thanks to everyone for all this interesting info. The VIN on the rego papers is "2430988". I carefully cleaned up the stamped area (above the rear left spring hanger) with a wire brush and turps but there is just nothing there. It all seems very lightly stamped and even the "988" is only just visible with the area wet, a strong edge light and a magnifying glass. I guess I'll be happy with a 1964-66 date. Thanks again for all your assistance.

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My first estimation of the model year 1964-66 was only a guestimate without checking any of my available data sources.

After my research I would be very confident in the second date I gave, i.e. that your vehicle was first sold between May and July 1966 with a probable build date in April 1966.

More than that I am 100% confident that your vehicle is a "C" suffix giving you an original chassis number of: 2430988*C. (Where the * = the unknown digit.)

Further to that I am 100% confident that the original 2 1/4 litre engine had either a "G" or "H" suffix (Range: #25235800G - 25241200H) yes I know that's 5,400 engines but remember it's a worldwide market, the engines had their own sequence and at that time in Australia were being fitted to both 88" and 109" coming out of PMC Enfield.

Diana

If you are really keen you can get one of these:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

available from http://www.scottsoldautorubber.com.au and stamp your 2430988*C number