Thread: IIA 109 GS first inspection, missing bits and restoration thoughts!

Hi all!

I recently (five days ago) purchased a '68 series IIA from a property on the ACT/NSW border. I thought it was probably ex army, so I went through and finally tracked down the chassis number and confirmed it. It is a bit weird though as the front guards are round, not angular. The colour is right, and the other fittings confirm that she was definitely military (map and diff lights, NATO fitting, tail light cups). All of the fittings bolted to the bonnet area have been pinched, leaving a multitude of lonely holes. The front bullbar has been removed, the tac holders are removed (same lonely holes) and the winch is gone, leaving the wire guide as the only evidence that one was fitted. It was a full canvas top, and as such has no cab at all.

First inspection has shown me the following (non-consumable) items are missing that probably need to be replaced asap:

- all of the brake lines, including the flexible lines,
- the brake/clutch reservoir,
- bonnet hold down clasp/hasp
- about half of the dome lenses.
- both door handles

Nice to have missing parts:

- the front right headlight chrome trim ring
- one of the rail trim pieces running along the floor of the tray (how does one of those go missing?)
- drop down tail gate.

Military resto parts:

- tac holders
- garden tool holders
- military front guards
- military bumper or bullbar
- All of the military identification plates that were screw mounted on the firewall (major bummer - all I have left is the stamped mod plate - god bless rivets)

As the budget is tight, and looking at what I have, I know I can reproduce a lot of what's missing quite cheaply. I am going to remanufacture the brake lines and the tail gate (if I need to) from scratch. I am tossing up whether to remanufacture a hydraulic reservoir or buy a reproduction, or attempt to track down a second hand unit. I have figured out a cheap solution for the bonnet hold down clasps and I am waiting for the parts to come in from China. I'll buy the dome lenses off one of the online suppliers new as they are so cheap and I imagine the roadworthy process will be easier if that stuff is pucka. The brakes (shoes and slaves) will be all new, the slaves especially will be in a bad way with the lines removed and exposed to air and moisture internally. If I cant get original door handles, I'll get those new ones with the keylock, they are quite reasonably priced!

The trim pieces that are missing is where I would like some help please. If anyone can point me in a direction of somewhere or someone that might have these pieces for sale would be appreciated! Other missing parts like the tailgate, hydraulic reservoir and door handles would also be welcome.

Lastly, I know this is going to be contentious, but as the Land Rover is missing so much of the military fittings and the front guards do not look like military ones, I am seriously considering restoring the galvanised finish (protected for 50 years under 4 layers of olive drab paint and immaculate) and painting the panels a more civilian tone such as DBG. I would keep the remaining military components as they are in case I change my mind later, or some future owner wants to do the full military restoration (someone with deeper pockets!), but at the moment she sits squarely between two possible restoration destinations, each with its own pros and cons.

Once I get the restoration underway, the next big decision will be whether to keep the full canvas top (which I will need to get made or buy new) or look for a solid roof and sides etc, but that decision can wait for a bit. Lots to do before I need to make that decision!

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The first two photos are from an hour after she rolled off the car trailer, the second two a few days later after she dried out a bit, still with original cobwebs though! Towing her back to my place through a rainstorm left a lot to be desired, although I'll wager she's been through a lot worse in her past.

Originally Posted by Gyrotechnics

I have an industrial sewing machine (period correct!) so I might buy a cheap canvas drop sheet from Bunnings and pull up one of the online patterns and give it a go just for the experience, but that's a way off yet.

My Old Man wants me to restore it to military concourse, he was Army in the old country and also here in Australia and wants me to drive him around on ANZAC day. Just another factor in the decision...

I also have an industrial walking foot sewing machine but I wouldn't tackle a canopy, seat covers yes. If you had a sample to copy it might be easier.
Some people have sourced canopies from UK suppliers but these aren't correct for an Australian Military Land Rover.
I have an original that's rotted but hanging on to it until the IIa is back on-the-road and I fit the new one.

I hope you get most of the missing bits from the previous owner. If not you'll occasionally find someone parting out a vehicle that's too far gone to restore.
I've been lucky, both of my military Land Rovers were mostly complete, over the long time I've been working on them I've managed to find the few missing parts from here and wanted adverts elsewhere.


Colin