Just to amplify and agree with most of what has been said.

I have a similar one to the one you picture, only currently a ute cab, and it is my daily driver for local use, although I did drive it to Cooma and back at Easter, about 700km each way.

It is easy and nice to drive, although the brake pedal pressures are high by modern standards, and in parking areas the lack of power steering and the large turning circle become evident. On the highway, they are slow and noisy compared to modern four wheel drives, although the noise can be greatly improved by detail derattling and a little sound insulation (there is none as standard). Fuel consumption is as stated, not too good, but the engine is reliable and still keeps going when well worn, and will stand terrible abuse, although it will perform better if looked after properly. (And remember that the vehicle may be forty years old, with half a dozen or more (ab)users before you!)

Legal towing mass is 1.6tonnes according to my owners manual, but I have an idea it may have been uprated retrospectively, although this may not carry any legal weight in your state unless it has found its way into official documents. The 1.6T in the owners manual is legal for the 2a in any state since this is the manufacturer's figure at the time of manufacture.

The diesel engine is relatively rare, but much more economical (on one occasion I got 36mpg from the one I owned forty years ago, but usually round 30), albeit significantly lower power. It is also noisy and vibrates badly at idle, and seems less durable than the petrol version, although still not bad (unlike the petrol engine it will not stand overheating).

As said, the 2a gearbox is generally regarded as more durable than the Series 3 one. The only "weak" point in general is the rear axles shafts and rear diff. The soft top has little roll over protection, but rollovers are rare, probably because the aluminium body means that the centre of gravity is low compared to steel bodied closed vehicles, and the lack of sway bars means that body roll frightens the driver before it gets really dangerous. But you can roll them if you try!

Offroad capability of the Series 2a is better than almost all current four wheel drives (both stock), including the ones you mention, and you are significantly less likely to break things as well. Further, unlike almost all current four wheel drives except the Defender, there is no door sill above the floor, and no impediment to hosing out the interior.

A significant point about all Series Landrovers, and to a slightly lesser extent the Defender, is that unlike all other cars, they are bolted together like a meccano set. This means not only that repairs and modifications are easy, but body style is easy to change. Many parts are interchangeable from 1958 to 1983.

In summary, the Landrover 2a is capable, cheap and easy to repair, maintain or modify, reliable, and pleasant to drive, at least on short trips or offroad.

On the down side, they are noisy slow, gas guzzlers, but the major downside is that the newest one is nearly forty years old, although it is possible to bring one back to new condition - but this is a lot more expensive than just overhauling on condition!

John