A series 2/2a Landrover is at least 45 years old, and a Series 3 at least 33 years old, so this has to be borne in mind when thinking about it.
At this age, you are either going to be buying one that is in pretty poor shape, or one that someone has spent a fair bit of money on (although possibly not recently), so prices vary widely. Minimum will be scrap value, about $500, maximum, unless it is a historic vehicle or possibly a perfect restoration, perhaps $7500, although some models are quite rare and can command higher prices. You need to be aware that there is no way you will recoup the money you spend doing it up when you sell it (although some sellers will base their asking price on this - but they won't sell at that).
You should be able to get something that is registered and roadworthy for around $5,000, although this will vary with the model and modifications. Fundamental classes are whether it is Series 2/2a or Series 3, and wheelbase, long or short. For both of the Series there is a choice of engine, four cylinder petrol or diesel, six cylinder, and for Series 3 only, V8 or Isuzu (both lwb only).
Basic body styles for the swb are soft top, hardtop, cab ute or trayback. Lwb is the same plus five door station wagon. The swb also came as a 3-door station wagon, a variant of the hardtop with up market trim and side facing rear seats.
Body styles can relatively easily be changes to anything that fits the wheelbase for any model, so, for example, if you want a hardtop, but the best you can find is a soft top, you can buy it and convert it - that particular change, once you get the parts, is probably only an afternoon's work, although squaring the change with your registration authority may take longer.
Engines:- The four cylinder diesel is reliable, economical - and noisy and rough, but not as long lasting as some some, and very underpowered by modern standards. The 2l version up to 1961 is even more underpowered and is very hard to find parts for, but virtually any you find will have had it replaced by the later engine, so any you find may be considered a real museum piece.
The four cylinder petrol is tough, very reliable, very durable given half decent maintenance, smooth, quiet, adequate power for the swb, bit underpowered in the lwb, and thirsty, especially in the lwb. It is quite amenable to having the power increased by relatively cheap modifications.
The six is not all that much more powerful than the four, very smooth, and is reliable and durable, although some maintenance is fairly critical. Unlike the other engines, parts can be hard to find.
The V8 is smooth, relatively powerful, and very easy to upgrade, as variants with much more power were fitted to Rangerovers etc. Looked after they are very durable, but also very thirsty.
The Isuzu 4BD1 was fitted as an option to the V8 in Australian assembled late Series 3. They are ultra reliable, ultra durable, reasonably powerful (and can be turbocharged easily), and economical, but very rough, to the extent that you need to look carefully for vibration damage to the body. Parts are readily available.
It is quite common for the engine to be replaced in Series Landrovers, usually, but not always by a Holden engine, particularly in the seventies and eighties. This was usually done because the original engine was worn out, and the cost of overhauling it was a lot more than the cost of replacing it with a very cheap Holden one, which had the advantage of more power and cheaper and easier parts. Less apparent was that the most Holden engines are not happy with the gearing provided (so many now have an overdrive), some of the commercially supplied adapters were of insufficient accuracy, resulting in early (and sometimes repeated) gearbox failure. Also, neither the Stromberg carburettors nor the Holden engine lubrication functioned well at some of the angles encountered off road. In my view a Holden engine lowers the value of any Series Landrover except ones that were originally sixes.
What I suggest you do is to spend a good deal of time browsing through the threads in the Series forums on this site. This will enable you to gain a much better idea whether you really want a Series Landrover, and if so, which one.
You need to understand from the outset, that none of them have the passive safety of any modern vehicle, they all have drum brakes, mostly single circuit, although dual circuit and disc brakes can be fitted to any, none have power steering, although it can be fitted, and none ride as well as most modern vehicles, or have their creature comforts - but heaters can be fitted to any, and air conditioning is possible although not easy.
As a general rule, parts for Series 2/2a/3 Landrovers are available and fairly cheap, and if properly maintained they are reliable, although requiring more maintenance than modern vehicles.
Hope this helps!
John
John
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol
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Originally Posted by vnx205
). If you find something, post up the details and I am sure you will get some assistance. We (us Landy Nuts) are spread over this great country so there may even be someone nearby that can have a look with you.
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