Series IIA - Bega barn find - 'Southern Cross'

**DWCamo** · 25th March 2017, 09:45 PM

A mate stumbled across this beautiful machine in the Bega back-country a few weeks ago. I've always wanted a Series IIA so I bought it from him. The 'Southern Cross' sticker on the bull bar leads me to believe it may have been used as a company vehicle in the SE forest timber industry at some stage (Southern Cross Engineering supplied to the industry). It's a full resto job but is complete, pretty rust free and came with a spare gearbox/tranfer. Its donk is a 2.25L petrol and it was apparently running till parked 2 years ago - battery/alternator problem stopped it starting, so I think it may be an easy fix, fingers crossed. It is a cute little truck and I think I'm head over heals in love with it. I would be grateful for any info on year of manufacture. Cheers, DW.

**mick88** · 26th March 2017, 06:26 AM

Good find!
Looks like it will keep you off the streets for a while.

What year is it? The grille looks like a reasonably late 2A.
Is that a suffix "D" on the end of the chassis number?
Enjoy your rebuild and don't forget to post pics along the way.

Cheers, Mick.

**JDNSW** · 26th March 2017, 07:27 AM

Suffix 'D' will be around 1968.

If it is only two years since it was running it is likely it will only need a battery, check oil and water and fresh fuel. Probably a good idea to drain anything in the tank and start afresh!

**DWCamo** · 26th March 2017, 05:58 PM

Thanks fellas. Yes looks like a suffix D. I was hoping the MY was 1968. Same as my better half's MY. I'd better give them both some TLC. Cheers, DW.

**ezyrama** · 28th June 2017, 11:18 AM

Hope this helps

CalVIN, the Land Rover VIN CALculator

25328158D

253 Model: Land Rover, Series IIA
Body type: Basic
Wheel base: 109in
Engine: petrol
Model years: 1962-1971
Destination: Completely knocked down (CKD), right-hand drive (RHD)
28158 Serial number
D Design: Three significant design modifications
Suffix used from April 1967 till March 1968

**Garry Treen** · 22nd July 2017, 07:45 AM

I think I may have just found a similar one with the back chopped off.

Do you have an update on the status of your Land Rover?

My chassis no is 25323636D

Was told this one was parked up 5 yrs ago but have my doubts as I think it may be longer than that.

cheers
Garry

**ezyrama** · 24th July 2017, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Garry Treen

I think I may have just found a similar one with the back chopped off.

Do you have an update on the status of your Land Rover?

My chassis no is 25323636D

Was told this one was parked up 5 yrs ago but have my doubts as I think it may be longer than that.

cheers
Garry

25323636D
253 Model: Land Rover, Series IIA
Body type: Basic
Wheel base: 109in
Engine: petrol
Model years: 1962-1971
Destination: Completely knocked down (CKD), right-hand drive (RHD)
23636 Serial number
D Design: Three significant design modifications
Suffix used from April 1967 till March 1968

**JDNSW** · 24th July 2017, 12:07 PM

"Back chopped off" may well be factory. I owned a 1961 model similar to that in the mid sixties that was definitely factory.

By the late sixties most four wheel drives being sold in Australia were probably traybacks, and Rover Australia (and its successors) had started even building standard trays.

**Garry Treen** · 24th July 2017, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by ezyrama

25323636D
253 Model: Land Rover, Series IIA
Body type: Basic
Wheel base: 109in
Engine: petrol
Model years: 1962-1971
Destination: Completely knocked down (CKD), right-hand drive (RHD)
23636 Serial number
D Design: Three significant design modifications
Suffix used from April 1967 till March 1968

Thanks for that information ezyrama. We have been googling like crazy things trying to identify our model and learn what we can about Series 2As and you have confirmed for us that we are on the right track.

cheers
Garry & Veronica

**Garry Treen** · 24th July 2017, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

"Back chopped off" may well be factory. I owned a 1961 model similar to that in the mid sixties that was definitely factory.

By the late sixties most four wheel drives being sold in Australia were probably traybacks, and Rover Australia (and its successors) had started even building standard trays.

Thanks JDNSW. Can you tell me anything more about tray backs and how they were factory done? I had assumed at some stage tray backs may have become a standard option for the Australian market. Our looks like it has be made up of wooden planks and our tray is welded to the chassis. Where the tray has been chopped off and the trim attached is very "agricultural looking".

I've decided to start blogging about our experience with the Land Rover and have started a blog on blogspsot for anyone interested in having a look.

I assume this will be ok to post a link to on the Series forum??

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