Got myself an Australian Land Rover

[jdobson]

Thought I'd say hello and introduce myself to the forum. I have just purchased a long wheel base Series IIA. I was close to buying a short wheel base but then spotted this one and decided it would better suit my requirements. It is a little rough looking and needs some TLC but essentially it is all there and roadworthy. I have a long list of things I plan to do, possible respray, fitment of a V8 and sort out the front radiator panel which has been shifted forward to clear the engine. I am also keen on the idea of removing the hard top and fitting a soft top (so if anyone knows of any hoodsticks available for sale, I would definitely be interested). Its going to be a bit of a rolling restoration and I think it's going to take a while getting it fully sorted out. Just great to have another Land Rover again (I moved to Australia at the start of the year and unfortunately was unable to get my IIA shipped over here - I am still pretty determined to get her over here though!).

Anyway, here are some pictures.

[will d8r]

No need to worry I did the same. I have a S3 in storage,brought S2 Discovery here now brought 109 S3 here which is being dismantled for a rebuild.Must put some pics up.Cheers

[marko66]

Hi All

Nice looking Landy that you have there don't discount the six as the holdens went to 3.3 litre and the fords went to 4.1 litre and the chrysler went to 4.3 litre and they were made to go with the right selection of parts
Depending on what you are planning on doing with your landy most people used the six as a compromise between performance and economy. Say you want to use it to visit daintree or Kakadu then buying fuel for the eight to ten thousand kilometre return trip has some relevance to us lesser paid mortals

In so saying I have a 4.4 litre leylandd v8 series 2a and a last registered as a 5000 cc series 3 ute

Regards Mark

[alittlebitconcerned]

Way cool. I love it.

[jdobson]

Well I am looking forward to picking it up in a couple of weeks time. It is currently fitted with a 2.5 litre Holden Engine, I think it's a four cylinder from the pictures, but then not sure why the radiator panel would have been moved forward to fit it. I have really thrown caution to the wind with this purchase and perhaps got carried away on account of it being a IIA! I figure as long as the chassis and bulkhead are in reasonable condition the rest is not such a worry. It comes with standard spare wheels so I will probably be refitting them at some point. Keen to keep it as original looking as possible on the outside at least.

Exciting times!

[jdobson]

Made it back from Mudgee to Manly on Saturday with only a few minor issues considering. Since getting it home I have fitted a replacement starter motor so at least it's now possible to start it. Seems to run pretty well although on my last trip the engine kept stalling when pulling away, seemed to be a bit of a misfire so will need to look into that. I am unfamiliar with the 6-cylinder Holden engines but it seems to pull pretty well and I was impressed with the progress it made up the Blue Mountains.

Need to decide if I will repaint it a different colour, I do favour pastel green over the current colour but it might be too much hassle repainting the whole thing. Certainly the interior needs to be repainted to freshen it up and I really need to get some new seats - is there a supplier over here for seats or am I better off going through Exmoor Trim in the UK?

The condition of the chassis and bulkhead is the best I've seen - although I am used to UK Land Rover's which suffer from the salt we put on our roads and the constant rain.. think I am going to remove the hardtop shortly.

[jdobson]

Enjoying the Easter sunshine in Manly. If anyone wants a Long Wheel Base Safari roof let me know - I won't be refitting it.



Finally got replacement seats, such a transformation on the terrible seats that were fitted before.


Quite a few more jobs on the list, want to repaint the interior for the start.

[jdobson]

So progress has been more than a little slow since I bought this Land Rover. The main problem was up until a month ago I was living in an apartment block with dark, tightly packed basement parking. Now I'm in a new place with a decent area to work so the restoration has started.

The paintwork was really very poor, especially on the front wings, bonnet and bulkhead so I have stripped it back to bare metal and etch primed in preparation for a respray. The back body, I'm hoping a good sanding will suffice.

Fortunately haven't found any nasty surprises since starting the restoration. Everything seems to be in good condition, just unloved. Here are some pictures:










I'm undecided on what colour to paint it, I keep changing my mind from light grey, dark grey and pastel green. Who knows, may choose something entirely different though it will be a colour inkeeping with its age (so no metallic paint).

Still lots more to do before the respray, I'm going to attempt it myself in around 3-4 weeks time subject to bank balance and availablity. Hoping it will be a well sorted, reliable vehicle once completed (it hasn't been all that reliable so far).

[VladTepes]

Awesome car. Excellent work. Jealous.

[Jondavball]

Nice work. The instrument panel looks great. Is it new or did you refurb an old one, and if so is it just paint?