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Thread: Series II v Series 2a questions

  1. #1
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    Series II v Series 2a questions

    Hi all, being new to series LR's I have a couple of questions I am sure someone will be able to answer. I have just purchased a 1967 S2a 109" ute. It is a restoration project, but is unmolested and un butchered. Still positively earthed and with no modern accessories. My queries are (and please forgive me if this is basic stuff:
    • The chassis number (which I found on the face of the rear left hand spring hanger starts with 253 and matches the placard on the cabin near the gear lever bulkhead. This I believe identifies it as a S2a 109"
    • The engine number however starts with 151 which I believe is a S2 engine number but still petrol 2.25.
    • The dash "appears" to be S2 as it doesn't have the 2 toggle switches between the clocks, but rather than a pull out switch on the top right of the fascia - or am I mistaken here and there are 2 styles of dashes for the S2A
    • It has individual wiper motors
    • The horn is in the centre of the steering wheel


    Is there anyway I can definitely identify this vehicle as a S2A?

    Look forward to any feedback when you get a chance...Rear.jpgFront.jpg

  2. #2
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    Welcome to the forum!

    The identity of the vehicle lies with the chassis. There are online tools available to help decode the chassis number, e.g. CalVIN. The 253 prefix would make it a Series 2A.

    From memory the wipers changed to a single motor style around 1969. Don't quote me on that, though!
    I'm also intrigued by the tail light surrounds. I thought that guard was a feature of military vehicles, but I can't see any of the other telltale signs (cut front guards, rear bump stops, tool holders, etc.).

    Parts tend to be readily interchangeable, so who knows what got replaced along the way.

    I'm sure somebody more knowledgeable will be along soon.

    Cheers,
    Martin
    "Serenity" 1964 Series IIA 109" ̶P̶e̶t̶r̶o̶l̶ 300 Tdi - under restoration
    "Kaylee" 1953 Series I 80" - waiting patiently

  3. #3
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    Welcome aboard!

    the chassis number is all you need. Early IIAs had lots of stuff mixed and matched from the Series IIs. Chuck the number in CalVIN and it will spit out the answer.

    Clifton Scientific Text Services, the Netherlands

    Cheers,

    Adam

  4. #4
    JDNSW's Avatar
    JDNSW is offline RoverLord Silver Subscriber
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    To expand on the above....

    From its inception in 1948, Rover made "continuous improvement" changes to their models. a few of these were marked by changes in name, but the name changes do not always coincide with changes in the vehicles. The change from Series 2 to 2a is probably the most obvious of these name changes that did not coincide with major changes. The only changes to the vehicle that actually coincided with the change from 2 to 2a was the that the diesel changed from 2.0 to 2.25l and the chassis numbering system changed.

    The major changes that you refer to in your post are ones that came with the change from chassis suffix 'b' to 'c' in 1967. These included the change from positive earth electrics to negative earth, which brought cable operated wipers instead of separate motors, new fuel gauge and sender (not interchangeable), combined ignition/light rotary switch replaced by separate toggle light switch and key start to replace direct pushbutton start. Also changed were the wire spoked steering wheel to solid spoked (with change to steering column and steering box) and a number of other less obvious changes such as the bulkhead changes resulting from the wiper changes.

    Of course, with the newest Series 2a almost fifty today, and parts or assemblies interchangeable all the way from Series 2 through to Series 3 (and even from Series 1 to Defender for some parts) it is hard to identify the age of the vehicle except by the chassis number actually stamped on the chassis. Also complicating the situation is the fact that changes in parts often depend on where the vehicle was built. In particular, changes to Australian built vehicles tended to lag compared to UK built vehicles, especially as local content was increased.
    John

    JDNSW
    1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
    1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol

  5. #5
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    Thank You

    Thanks guys for the heads up and info. It's early days and a long road ahead, but seeing some of the posts in here keeps me inspired!

    I am sure I will have many more questions along the way.

    Cheers guys

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