Thread: Looking for a project - help!

Originally Posted by gromit

The price seems high, it looks more like $300-$400 to save it from being scrapped.

I'd go a little higher, perhaps $500, because it look interesting.
I've changed my mind. Perhaps it is ex-military.

I'm slowly getting my head around this classic Land Rover scene. I'm gaining the impression that the Series IIa is the place to be - the end result of the originals, still with the four cylinder, less 'antique' than the Series 1.

I confess to being less happy with the Series 3 because I prefer the earlier looks but probably more tellingly, having spent two weeks listening to the corporal leading my section complain about the six cylinder engines compared to the four cylinder.

Having said all that, maybe it's irrelevant when looking at a sad and rusting hulk attempting to find a home in your garage. In other words, it probably doesn't matter all that much.

Please note that I'm not trying to trample on anyone's favourites and such preferences are an important part of the classic car scene - I'm happy to read any argument on the pros and cons of any of the series (don't get me started on MGBs )

Until reading this forum, it hadn't occurred to me that there were Land Rover concourse and that originality was important. Now, I'm very much in the 'modify to make it work' camp and for me, a concourse is an event where you wash and polish your car, park it with the others, then go socialise - I'm not an 'everything must be perfect' type bloke, much as I admire those that manage it without going mad. Following on that, I'm wondering if I would be best served to consider originality when considering a purchase on the grounds that it's cheaper and easier to fix what you have than to revert to original later on.

Immediately you ponder such things, the question of patina springs to mind. If I were restoring an MG, I'd be aiming for a perfectly mirror like body, etc. However, with that aluminium body, surely with a Land Rover, a few minor dings and things would all be part of the charm (says he thinking of the day a Holden ute tried to go through the front fender of an Army Landy and darned near succeeded). If the original steering wheel is in good nick but showing its wear, wouldn't it be a good thing to keep it?

I'm reminded of a Landy I saw for sale on the side of the road early this year. I parked and had a darned good drool. It had been 'fully restored' and everything was perfect... yet seemed somehow, souless. Can you restore the character out of a Land Rover?

Yes, I'm rambling a bit ... and thinking a lot. I'm trying to take a long term desire to 'own a Land Rover' through to the awful reality. I'm more than happy to hear your thoughts and arguments, even to start a few arguments. It simply hadn't occurred to me that I was looking at just another form of classic car ownership and anyone who's been in the game for any length of time will tell you there's more emotion than sense in most of it.

Cheers
Richard

Oh, with that link I posted to, the brute appears to have a four cylinder motor - with Holden conversions being popular, is that unusual?

Hi Crackers. If you've not purchased a vehicle yet, I know for a LWB Series 1 Land Rover that is in need of rescuing.. Its sat in a scrappy between Muno Para and Gawler next to a motorbike shop...

Originally Posted by Sitec

Hi Crackers. If you've not purchased a vehicle yet, I know for a LWB Series 1 Land Rover that is in need of rescuing.. Its sat in a scrappy between Muno Para and Gawler next to a motorbike shop...

No purchase yet. Like to send me a PM with the details?

Here's a pic of said vehicle...

On Main North Road? If so, should be easy to find. Have you had a look or just noticed it on the way past? I'm on the other side of the city but that won't stop me driving out there this saturday.

Doncha love the thrill of the chase

The thing is, crackers, with a Landrover, you can do what you want with it.
If you want a concors restoration, you can do that. I'd recommend the earliest possible Landrover for that purpose.
If you want a bitsa build, cobbling whatever you can get together to achieve a functioning vehicle, you can. Yes, a S2 or S2a will do that. Yes, you can put in a Holden motor. It may require engineering.
Myself (and others) have series Landrovers rechassied with Range Rover chassis. Requires engineering but you can do that as well.
You can do all sorts. Work out what you want to do and then build it. Pop up a build thread. You're sure to get lots of advice.

Hello again. Yes I've had a look, but if I was to buy another vehicle I think I'd be shot!! The chassis looks to be very good. Most of the panels are straight. The rear of the rear tub needs attention, but all in all its an ideal vehicle for a sympathetic rebuild... Me, Id retain its classic look, but prob fit a Tdi and 5 speed so it was usable often.. Others would cringe at that.. Here's another pic.