Another 'new' 2a. Now with added pics!

**Kaiser63** · 7th June 2016, 08:53 PM

Hi again all,

Further to my recent post with his ID details, here is my recent acquisition.

Vin: 24302583a (based on plate and rear hanger)

Engine: 25129725b

Trans: yet to be cleaned enough to read?

As best as I can make out so far he is an early 1962. I understand that makes him quite early 2a based on single front sidelights?

The previous owner tells me the car came from Oberon I think. Apparently it was running as recently as a few years ago. (weren't they all?)

Plans are probably for a rolling restoration, however that may change...

My prelim inspection seems to show he is very original.

I hope I don't end up eating my words but the chassis and bulk head look good without any rust of concern. Pillars and footwells look pretty good

The only non-surface rust I have found so far is in the passenger side seat box and on the vertical face of the bulkhead behind the bonnet edges (scuttle).

I'm happy to be proven wrong, but so far it looks to me like the only non-original bits:

- Front bumper
- Zenith Carby ? from a later 2a?

- Home-made rear tailgate (now removed) with circular support on rear grab handle. Is this a gas bottle holder?

- Gun rack on the dash

- The skylight?

I got him with a few extras:

- another tailgate (albeit split at the base) to replace the home made job on the tail.
- upper hinged tail gate
- replacement tail gate glass
- two damaged sill panels with brackets
- two replacement doors with good skins and some glass but rusted out frames
- good replacement front bumper

I would really appreciate any observations as to things I may have missed.

A few specific questions if I may?

1. The rear cross member has no welded brackets to support a tailgate hinge? Have these simply been removed?

2. What are the brackets and large knurled nuts attached to both sides of the rear tail opening?

3. Are there repair pieces for the scuttle panel or as this a simple flat panel repair is it easier to fabricate a simple patch piece?

Thanks in advance,

Kai

**SG1 Bones** · 7th June 2016, 09:09 PM

Sorry if I don't make sense but I'm falling asleep. I can answer Question 2 at the moment and I'll get a pick tomorrow for the drop down tailgate. The knurled nuts and brackets are in fact for the top half of your back door. You should have stays that rest/clip in below the glass and fold out and lock in when keeping the top up turn the nuts and your locked in.
I'll get a couple picks of mine tomorrow to help explain.

Nathan.

**JDNSW** · 7th June 2016, 09:18 PM

If it is a 62, (have you got a chassis number?), then the Zenith is probably later, but then the whole engine may be.

One fascinating thing I think it has got, which I have never actually seen, but only read about in the optional equipment book, is an extra spring on the throttle linkage that comes in at half throttle to improve fuel consumption.

1. The hinges for the tailgate have been removed for the number plate on the right, and probably just to stay even on the left. You will have to measure up another vehicle and make some.

2. Brackets on the sides of the opening are for the locking bolts of the top hatch. The knurled nuts are for the bits attached to the hinge on the top hatch to lock to to keep the hatch open.

3. I don't think there are repair pieces, but in any case if all you need is a simple flat bit, it will be a lot cheaper to fabricate one.

I think all the extras you have got are from this vehicle.

The hatch is for shooting.

It certainly looks to me like a good buy, and I hope you will keep all of us in the loop.

John

**Kaiser63** · 7th June 2016, 09:23 PM

Thanks very much for the reply's gents.

That makes sense.

John,

Chassis number is 2430 2583a

Which spring is it you refer to??

**Dark61** · 8th June 2016, 07:24 AM

nice looking thing , well done.
cheers,
D

**Dinty** · 8th June 2016, 07:59 AM

Unless I'm wrong, JD is referring to the image you posted showing engine/carb the spring is short in length and heavy coil, it is @ approx. 3 oclock in your image, cheers Dennis
The tailgate hinges that are welded to the chassis should be easily obtained from any Series 2/2A/3 wrecked chassis be they either 88" or 109" just remember if you get some that they are handed (L<>R) one of them is thicker than the other the thinner of the 2 allows for a spring washer and split pin to go through the hinge which is bolted to the tailgate, and just for your memory (if you want a excellent T/gate) I have one civvie with number plate holder/light also have a military one without the plate/light fitting,,.

**Kaiser63** · 8th June 2016, 11:13 AM

Looks like there is a bolt on kit for the rear hinges

Land Rover Series 2 2A 3 Tailboard Hinge Bracket KIT | eBay

**JDNSW** · 8th June 2016, 11:46 AM

You commented above that the narrow set headlights made it an early 2a - not quite; the wider headlight setting came in 1969 (maybe as much as a year earlier in some markets), and 2a production ended in 1971. But the chassis number (not VIN - they did not exist then) confirms it is 1962, and that is only a year after the change from Series 2 to 2a.

John

**Kaiser63** · 8th June 2016, 11:59 AM

Thanks John,

I was actually referring to the sidelights/parkers? I as told that the early 2as had only single fittings (no separate indicators)

It is the same on the rear. Tail lights only. No indicator fittings.

Does this sound right?

**JDNSW** · 8th June 2016, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by Kaiser63

Thanks John,

I was actually referring to the sidelights/parkers? I as told that the early 2as had only single fittings (no separate indicators)

It is the same on the rear. Tail lights only. No indicator fittings.

Does this sound right?

Turn indicators were an option on all years of Series 2a, and were only factory fitted to Australian 2as after they became mandatory in all states. Not sure when that was, probably mid to late sixties. Before that, if fitted, they were usually fitted by the dealer.

John

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Another 'new' 2a. Now with added pics!

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