Thread: ‘Nibbles’ the Jaguar powered 1966 Series 2A

So now the fun begins, a list of things I want/need/government mandated to accomplish.

- Seats - needs
- Bulkhead – needs help
- Brakes – disc conversion (I generally enjoy braking)
- Gauges – need to work (not for me, for the roadworthy man)
- Wheels – x6

Other quick small tasks include mating the 2.4L Jaguar XK engine to the 4 Speed moss box and that in turn mated to likely an LT230 transfer case in a divorced setup (maybe not) so I can maintain somewhat normal prop geometry.

^ in this respect I may have gotten lucky, the freshly rebuilt 4 speed moss box seems to be a ‘long case’ version using a splined propshaft, so it might be possible for me to make up something silly to work easier than the standard stubby shaft that goes into the U joint.

IMG_6765.jpgAnother question exists around the guards, I believe that the fan from the obese XK engine will be very close to the grille lights so I will have to likely go with the fender lights from a series 3, given they are already holepunched I feel like I need to find a new pair regardless (although that does ruin the patina). So I haven’t decided what to do there.


And thus so it begins, if you have any technical tips to offer or thumbs up or down, feel free to chime in

kind regards
g

Some comments.

I think the vehicle you have is a "bitza".

Which part of the dashboard is military? The additional panel to the right of the dash does not look to me like the pressed panel that military vehicles used - and if it was, it should ahve a blackout swithch and some sort of additional gauge (depends on what type of military).

The catches on the bonnet are not 2a military, but aftermarket ones used on a few vehicles. Similar to Series 1, but I don't think they are Rover at all.

The instrument panel is pre suffix C but the wipers are post suffix C. What is the actual chassis number? (On the chassis, not on a plate on the firewall, which may not be original.) If Australian should be on the LH rear back spring hanger above the shackle bolt through the chassis, may need paint and rust removed to find it.

The white rear diff and white stripes on it certainly suggest military - but just because the axle is does not mean the vehicle is - I have in my container a NOS military lwb rear axle I got at an auction - I had two, but the other one is on my 2a.

Most of the 2a Landrovers I have seen in Australia have the heavy duty axles - they were an option, and I think at least some of the distributors if not Rover Australia must have made them default.

One of the glorious things about Series Landrovers is the ability to "mix and match". But it helps if you know what you are doing!

It looks like an interesting project and the Jag motor is certainly 'different'

As John said it's a 'bitsa' which is quite common with old Land Rovers.
The wings are probably original Series II as they have the 'bug eye' conversion whereas the Series IIA & III headlights are inset into the front of the wings.
Military parts may have been added over time.
The data plaque is odd as that's not a normal Land Rover chassis number. As John mentioned, look for the number stamped on the LH rear spring hanger.
Holden motors were a common fitment, cheaper to install a s/h Holden than recondition the original back in the day.
A Holden motor in what was a 4-cyl Land Rover often means the front crossmember has been cut. I've seen the top cut out, recesses let in and on one it was completely removed and a piece of angle iron fitted instead ! Not exactly a roadworthy pass unless the tester is partially sighted.

You probably need to talk to an 'engineer' before you go too far to find out what will be needed to get it registered. You've mentioned disc brakes plus it will probably need two speed wipers and a demister etc. etc........


Colin

If you coulda got the 2.5 litre V8 Daimler engine it would have been the better choice. Not as long as the XK engine and is a far better engine than the 2.4 Jaguar.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Some comments.

I think the vehicle you have is a "bitza".

Which part of the dashboard is military? The additional panel to the right of the dash does not look to me like the pressed panel that military vehicles used - and if it was, it should ahve a blackout swithch and some sort of additional gauge (depends on what type of military).

The catches on the bonnet are not 2a military, but aftermarket ones used on a few vehicles. Similar to Series 1, but I don't think they are Rover at all.

The instrument panel is pre suffix C but the wipers are post suffix C. What is the actual chassis number? (On the chassis, not on a plate on the firewall, which may not be original.) If Australian should be on the LH rear back spring hanger above the shackle bolt through the chassis, may need paint and rust removed to find it.

The white rear diff and white stripes on it certainly suggest military - but just because the axle is does not mean the vehicle is - I have in my container a NOS military lwb rear axle I got at an auction - I had two, but the other one is on my 2a.

Most of the 2a Landrovers I have seen in Australia have the heavy duty axles - they were an option, and I think at least some of the distributors if not Rover Australia must have made them default.

One of the glorious things about Series Landrovers is the ability to "mix and match". But it helps if you know what you are doing!

much appreciated for the info, I was under the impression that the gauge cluster and the gauge panel to the right was military.

there are new bonnet hooks but the old holes seem to be the correct spacing for the military ones.

the chassis number sits right between the blocks of NZ army ones, I will have a wire brush at it later to confirm, but I know my body and chassis are numbers matching.

the car is certainly a suffix C with a pressed metal corp body.

kind regards
g

Originally Posted by gromit

It looks like an interesting project and the Jag motor is certainly 'different'

As John said it's a 'bitsa' which is quite common with old Land Rovers.
The wings are probably original Series II as they have the 'bug eye' conversion whereas the Series IIA & III headlights are inset into the front of the wings.
Military parts may have been added over time.
The data plaque is odd as that's not a normal Land Rover chassis number. As John mentioned, look for the number stamped on the LH rear spring hanger.
Holden motors were a common fitment, cheaper to install a s/h Holden than recondition the original back in the day.
A Holden motor in what was a 4-cyl Land Rover often means the front crossmember has been cut. I've seen the top cut out, recesses let in and on one it was completely removed and a piece of angle iron fitted instead ! Not exactly a roadworthy pass unless the tester is partially sighted.

You probably need to talk to an 'engineer' before you go too far to find out what will be needed to get it registered. You've mentioned disc brakes plus it will probably need two speed wipers and a demister etc. etc........


Colin

thanks Colin,

Yes you are correct, someone has modified the guards for the lights, I think this was a spacing issue as the fan on the Holden red is now in the way of where the lights would have been. Hence I may use series 3 guards


I don’t mind a bit of a bitza but I would love to know the background if there is one. I am currently serving military, so a military vehicle would be an interesting thing to own.

I have a good buddy of mine who is an engineer, I’m just going to take it one step at a time and see where I end up haha. There is lots of small things that will need to be fixed along with way (not including my Range Rover)

kind regards
g