"Sweetpea" joins the clan.

[zulu Delta 534]

"Sweetpea" seems to be the frontrunner in naming choices at the moment, either that or Inchy, but seeing that Patsy has laid claim to the little beast I will leave that up to her.
Earlier this year I attended the Toowoomba Swap meet and after what seemed to be an interminable time walking around in the hot sun and not seeing much that held my interest, I sat down in the shade with a beer in my hand and chilled out for a little while. Whilst relaxing, and enjoying the relief of the shade, a reasonably insignificant A4 size, hand written ad caught my eye, saying "1949 Land Rover for sale" and a phone number. This was in a totally unrelated (Land rover wise) stall surprisingly. Eventually curiosity won over and I chatted to the stall holder who showed me some photos on an Ipod, and put me on to the owner (his Dad) and we chatted on the phone for a couple of minutes and a deal was struck.
Months later and just before Easter (by this time we had exchanged numbers etc and ascertained that it was indeed a 1950 model and not a 49) a window of opportunity opened, a quick phone call to arrange some logistics, hire a trailer and off interstate we went.
First sight of the beast was a bit daunting, broken glass everywhere (I was pre warned of this) two gashed tyres, worn and faded paint and sitting out in the paddock in the long grass, a sad sight indeed.

This vehicle had passed through the books of Grenville Motors, showing up as; in 15/5/50, out 17/5/50, and passed to dealers Gardiner Caffins of Bathurst who in turn sold it to what looks to be people by the name of Fraisers.
The vehicle was fitted with a PTO on delivery and was obviously used for a number of years as a farm implement as even today a rough timber plate is fitted to the rear cross member and I assume that this piece of timber would have been a makeshift bearing for a PTO shaft.

My "assistant raider" had been looking for a drivers door to suit a 107" S1 for some time and he has laid claim to the rather ingeniously designed rear "station wagon" door that has been fitted to the obviously homemade hard top canopy.
As mentioned earlier, at first sight I wondered whether I had blown near on $1000 on a heap of junk, but since getting it home and looking a bit closer I realise that we have stumbled upon a real gem of a vehicle. Despite the broken glass it is still remarkably whole and complete.
Its Engine was partially disassembled with the intent of fitting new rings by a previous owner, and as is the way of the world only too often, immediately upon starting on the rebuild project the owner found that his own health took a drastic turn for the worse so the project was packed up, put aside and eventually abandoned.
The chap I purchased it from (and there sure is another interesting story there!!! Watch for upcoming trip somewhere down the line!) purchased the vehicle and stored it in his paddock where it sat for a number of years. Unfortunately this property, which was once out in the bush is now being encroached upon by urban sprawl of a rapidly expanding NSW rural city, and the poor little vehicle fell victim to some restless kids who love the sound of breaking glass. This act of vandalism prompted the PO to do something hence the A4 sized ad at Toowoomba.

It is quite remarkable the difference that a bit of air in tyres makes when attempting to winch a vehicle up vehicle ramps on to a trailer. The two front tyres were solid although I am not sure whether they are filled with air or stuffed grass (will find out later today) but the two back ones had a mind of their own as far as the direction they wished to travel.

So far it has been discovered that the engine is still the original number corresponding to the chassis, the wheels (5 of them) are all stamped 5/50, door-top hinges fitted to the windscreen mounts are remarkably still intact, as are the windscreen brackets on the bonnet.
The engine, although partially dismantled, came with all its parts stored in a box in the tub, including an unopened box of brand new piston rings!
Also in the tub were various bits and pieces such as two good condition door tops for a S2 (I have been looking for a good L/H door top for a while) a S2 spare wheel and the seat bases are in pretty good condition. The seat backs have received some attention in their lives as one is covered with a sugar bag, ornately stitched to shape whilst the centre one is covered with what looks to be an old cushion cover with an ornate woven cat pattern on it.

Work has begun already in that the five wheels have been taken down to my mates place to receive some attention and new tyres, (then Harry can have his loan wheels back) and I can move it around a bit easier.
Next the engine comes out and receives some rejuvenation treatment, body panels come off to be straightened out, the firewall and chassis are almost pristine (beauty of a dry climate) so all in all there isnt that much to do.
I have a S2a 88" military to move first, both for room and financial reasons, and once that is finished and gone then I can get stuck into "Sweetpea" full time.
A few bushes here and there, some decisions re colour, whether to paint or not, (but I feel that the panel beating that is required will over rule this decision). A few glass bits to find, headlights and windscreen shouldn't be a problem but perhaps gauges and firewall mounted park lights may be more of a challenge, and that should just about see it out.

As a saying goes that I keep hearing over and over again, "They are still out there".
Watch out for future instalments.
Regards
Glen

[Scallops]

Love it, Glen - Sweetpea can keep Matilda company anytime.

[Fourgearsticks]

Did you have a look at any of Lyndons other cars?

[numpty]

Sure did.

[zulu Delta 534]

And what a collection he has. And a gentleman to boot.
Regards
Glen

[Mick-Kelly]

Front bumper looks fairly straight and you still have a grill !! Any chance of a chassis number?

[ellard]

Hi there

Well done - its in good knick for its age.....hows the chassis

All the best

Wayne

[zulu Delta 534]

Chassis # 06112379
Engine # 06111451
Chassis and firewall so close to immaculate it isn't funny. (Couple of minor blemishes but nothing to panic about.)
Body work has typical farm repairs and blemishes, once again nothing irreparable.
I am open to any suggestions as to how to fit indicators UNOBTRUSIVELY!.
Regards
Glen

[Scallops]

You know Glen, I've been thinking.... All the best Series 1's come with a block of wood attached somewhere!

[zulu Delta 534]

Have you noticed the block strapped to the main leaf of the near side rear spring? Yet to ascertain whether it is a broken leaf or just a bit of stiffening. Will find out in the next day or so I expect. Hope its nothing serious as they are narrow leaf springs.
Regards
Glen