Thread: Hard Top Side Panels

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

The series 2 hard tops in Oz didn't have the small glass panes either side of the upper tailgate at the rear, where the S2a did. But it was very rare indeed for there to be no glass in the sides at all.

That's right - my 1958 S2 88 hardtop did not have those windows, but I noted that when I had it (1963-5) the new ones did.

John

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

No offence to you personally Shonky, and you answered the comment yourself.

I always have a giggle when someone says that their 40+ year old vehicle has this "so and so" fitted now so it must have been on it originally.

None taken.

There is a very good chance that over half a century the ol' beast has certainly been mucked with to some extent. I'm not at all suprised.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

It is interesting to note how the preferences for different body types have changed over the years. If you go back to Series 1 or even Series 2, probably the commonest model was the short wheelbase, and soft tops were quite common, although hardtops were also common after the 86" was introduced anyway. Station wagons were exceedingly rare, and utilities fairly common, although rare in the swb. Also rare, but not as rare as station wagons were tray tops.

John

So what would an original Series 1 trayback look like?
I only ask as I have bought this, and was wondering if it original or more likely a later conversion.


sorry for hijack. I will probably discuss this more when I start a thread about "Mal", but saw it referred to in here.

CC

Originally Posted by Col.Coleman

So what would an original Series 1 trayback look like?
.........
CC

As far as I am aware, a trayback Series 1 was never offered by Landrover, even in Australia. Initially it was only sold as a ute, but before long (probably by about 1955 or even earlier) it was sold as cab/chassis. These would have been fitted with a locally built tray by the dealer (or occasionally by the owner - a Series 3 I bought some years ago from the original owner had a owner built tray) - this was common practice for trucks at the time.

So there would be no way of distinguishing the one sold new with a dropside tray from one converted after damage to the rather fragile Series 1 rear tub.

The typical tray would have been mostly wooden, including the frame, with steel fittings. A distinguishing feature compared to more modern replacements is that the frame members and headboard are likely to have been hand shaped rather than left square all over. As far as can be seen of yours this means the tray on yours is likely to have been a later replacement (could still be forty years old!), although this distinction is by no means definite - just depends on the local body builder, and whether he was a new business or an old bloke who did his time as a coach builder.

I hope you tried to find out any history you could from the seller?

John