Lynchies Intro and build thread 1961 S II/IIa

[sheddo]

Hi All,

First and foremost, I've been scoring this forum for a couple of months and it is a credit to the contributors. There is a wealth of information here, and you all seem to be very generous with your time and knowledge. I Thank you all in advance. (I expect I will have to call upon you a fair bit over the coming project. Please forgive me!)

Before Christmas, I took possession of my First Series land rover and First Vehicle restoration project.
It was my Dad's Series II and IIa 88". Premature inheritance. I have spend many miles and adventures in this car during my childhood. and so am very keen to get it to a point where i can continue the story.

My Dad was adamant it is a 1961 Series IIa. During the significant research i have done so far, and checking hte Numbers the Engine is a IIa. The body is a II, (Haven't found the other numbers yet) But both are 1961 (I think!) I know that 1961 was the change over year from II to IIa. So my only assumption is the engine has been replaced, (and fluked the year) or it is some form of transitional model. Either way it is what it is and it's mine!
IMG_2405(1).jpg20211107_175334.jpg20211107_175118.jpg20211107_175235.jpg

Condition wise the door pillars are pretty much munted. though I was pleased to discover they are readily available. The rest of the firewall looks OK. Chassis seems OK except for the outriggers behind the rear wheels. Door frames will need rebuilding. Door tops won't come off no matter how much I swear at them.

Generator replaced with Alternator from...... ummm...something? (Will know more when i get it out!). Changed over to a Negative Earth. Wiring is ...... copper at least.... (I assume!)

It did drive onto the trailer, (under protest) Still has oil in it and radiator is not leaking. Then promptly dumped all of the brake fluid. All in all I think is is workable.

Plan is to get the body off, to get a clear picture of what I am dealing with. Then pretty much wing it from there as fast as I can raise the money to do it!

Anyway Sorry about the long read. Just wanted to say g'day, and hopefully watch this space.

[gavinwibrow]

Hi All,

First and foremost, I've been scoring this forum for a couple of months and it is a credit to the contributors. There is a wealth of information here, and you all seem to be very generous with your time and knowledge. I Thank you all in advance. (I expect I will have to call upon you a fair bit over the coming project. Please forgive me!)

Before Christmas, I took possession of my First Series land rover and First Vehicle restoration project.
It was my Dad's Series II and IIa 88". Premature inheritance. I have spend many miles and adventures in this car during my childhood. and so am very keen to get it to a point where i can continue the story.

My Dad was adamant it is a 1961 Series IIa. During the significant research i have done so far, and checking hte Numbers the Engine is a IIa. The body is a II, (Haven't found the other numbers yet) But both are 1961 (I think!) I know that 1961 was the change over year from II to IIa. So my only assumption is the engine has been replaced, (and fluked the year) or it is some form of transitional model. Either way it is what it is and it's mine!
IMG_2405(1).jpg20211107_175334.jpg20211107_175118.jpg20211107_175235.jpg

Condition wise the door pillars are pretty much munted. though I was pleased to discover they are readily available. The rest of the firewall looks OK. Chassis seems OK except for the outriggers behind the rear wheels. Door frames will need rebuilding. Door tops won't come off no matter how much I swear at them.

Generator replaced with Alternator from...... ummm...something? (Will know more when i get it out!). Changed over to a Negative Earth. Wiring is ...... copper at least.... (I assume!)

It did drive onto the trailer, (under protest) Still has oil in it and radiator is not leaking. Then promptly dumped all of the brake fluid. All in all I think is is workable.

Plan is to get the body off, to get a clear picture of what I am dealing with. Then pretty much wing it from there as fast as I can raise the money to do it!

Anyway Sorry about the long read. Just wanted to say g'day, and hopefully watch this space.

Welcome. As you say - brilliant website well run by Inc and mods - our kids are safe here! We will all watch your project with plenty of help around. As you have already worked out, just holler!

[grey_ghost]

Hi mate,

Welcome aboard. Our resident guru (JDNSW) may be able to help with advice along the way.

I think it’s a 2A based on the steering wheel and door hinges.

Having said that (and I think that JDNSW will agree) - it is sometimes difficult to date a vehicle precisely because:

a) LR had a habit of using what parts came to hand, not always using the correct part on the vehicle when it was a change over period.

b) Your dad (or a mechanic) could have always replaced parts over the life of the vehicle.

As you say - doesn’t matter, it’s yours!!

And a great looking vehicle at that!

Have fun.

Cheers,
GG

[sheddo]

Thanks for the quick warm welcomes. As you say things get replaced, This one is already a bitzer. Like most my Dad's motivation was to keep it going!.
Well spotted on the door Hinger though I Know they came off Dad's mates Series 3! (I do have the worn original hinges somewhere. I am going to look at rebuilding them.)

And it was painted several times with a maroon....... Because that's what he had!

I'm not sure what the indicator stalk came off. I assume it is not original.

Carbie is a strommie. (And I've got about 4 more of them with it!)

I also have a spare head that may or may not be cracked...... Guess I'll find out in good time

I already have a thousand questions, but I'll take my time and ask as that part approaches.

Cheers

[grey_ghost]

My suggestion with your restoration:

Photograph EVERYTHING before you take it off. You might not get back to it for months (gulp - sometimes years) and it’s hard to remember exactly how things go back on sometimes…

Sandwhich bag EVERYTHING and label it. Even the bits that you think you will replace… Multiple times I have replaced a part with a new one, only to discover that the new part either doesn’t fit OR is poor quality.

Don’t throw ANYTHING away until you are finished and it’s back in the road. As above I have thrown away old parts thinking “I have a new part, I will never need that again”.. That’s a mistake!

When motivation lacks - just do one small job. Eg - clean / paint the wheel nuts, the ones that you kept in your sandwich bag. 🤣

Most of all have fun and enjoy.

Cheers,
GG

[sheddo]

Thanks GG,
I work in R&D, so I am well aware of the virtues of even an out of focus photo when you're desperate!
And a mate put me onto the ziplock bag method. (Brilliant). He also suggested a piece of paper/card inside the bag with what it is, even if you think it is obvious now!.
I did take it a small step further and got a 400mm bag sealer and a roll of builders plastic.

I do have one question to start off;

I have a passengers side door latch with a tongue that one move even though the lever does. I assume it is jammed and a linkage is broken.
How does one get them apart for repair, (or you just don't) they are solid riveted. Except for the two Philips head screws that do not seem to serve any purpose. (but it is the same on the drivers side.

I am about to drill/grind off the solid rivets with the view to re-riveting it. (I don't see what i have to loose!)

20220108_183706.jpg20220108_183713.jpg

Cheers

[grey_ghost]

From memory - remove the screws/bolts, but you have to drill out the pop rivets?

Hopefully someone can confirm this….

[Johnno1969]

Either way it is what it is and it's mine!

Exactly! That's the most important bit. You're even allowed to say it and follow-up with a maniacal laugh (and well-timed lightning strikes, if at all possible).

Welcome aboard and best of luck with your Landy. As you already know, the mix-n-match of parts can sometimes make it difficult to age/identify a vehicle. Your dash and steering wheel look like late-IIA, but your door hinges look Series III....

Cheers!

John

[1950landy]

Al the Lucas electrical parts will have a date stamped on them ( Distributer , Starter motor , wiper motor instruments & even the switches ) you can use these dated to get an approx build date usually with in a couple of months providing new parts haven't been fitted.

[Cadas]

From memory - remove the screws/bolts, but you have to drill out the pop rivets?

Hopefully someone can confirm this….

Yes exactly that, but there are so few parts inside there that a long soak in degreaser can free a lot of stuff.