Series 1 purchase advice

[gromit]

I am looking at buying a 1956 86" and need some advice on what problems to look for and whether the asking price is realistic (yes I know this is subjective and depends on the size of your wallet).
From the chassis number it's a 1956 CKD but it was supplied from new with a 60A welder running off the PTO. The welder is mounted under the rear floor (not in the back like the 80" Mobile Welder), there is a governor on the engine and an ammeter for the welder on the dash.It also has a PTO winch.
It has been modified so that one person can sleep inside, this was apparently done early in it's life.
It started OK and seems complete, reasonably original with limited panel damage and is currently registered.
From what I could see there is a lot of surface rust on the chassis but nothing too bad.

I hope to look at it again this weekend (in daylight this time) and would like some advice on what problems to check for.
Asking price is around $2000

Thanks,

Gromit

[101RRS]

If it is completely original, chassis is good, not bashed around too much then it is probably a reasonable price - the fact that it is still registered is not a factor as it will become unregistered on sale unless a road worthy was produced - how long ago was the last road worthy done - most likely 50 years ago so is not an indicator of condition. If the springs have sagged the spring ends punch holes in the bottom of the chassis so have a look for this.

If the car is not original -eg wrong engine etc then half the price.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I am looking at buying a 1956 86" and need some advice on what problems to look for and whether the asking price is realistic (yes I know this is subjective and depends on the size of your wallet).Asking price is around $2000

Thanks,

Gromit

Gromit (let us hope this post works without the computer powering down.)

Most late series 1 Welders (post 1954) were the same as the 80" types with the Lincoln unit mounted on the floor of the tub and storage bins on either side. I can not imagine there being enough room for a Lincoln unit below the tub. So pics would be of interest. If it were a genuine Series 1 welder it is very rare but unfortunately only in the 80" models did they have a seperate VIN sequence for the welder models. That said, the genuine welders, were all configured the same as the descriptions in the parts and workshop manuals.

There was at least one vendor in Melbourne who was selling after-market welders in the 1950's as a friend has a contemporary magazine ad for them and they were located very close to Regent Motors.

When checking the vehicle, the engine number should be close the the rear axle number sequence within about 500 units. Take a wire brush if you are that interested and the number is located at the top on the long side near the axle breather.

There are a number of locations where 86" vehicle rust. Check out the 3 main ones.

1. The firewall under the windscreen and around the vents also on the top cigarette box tray where the panic grab part is.
2. The first chassis outriggers, the curvy ones where the firewall mounts. There are holes in this member where the master cylinder mounts right next to the chassis side rail. The holes are on both sides for LHD vehicles as well. This accumulates dirt and moisture so can be rusty.
3. The rear chassis cross member - between the side rails where it drops down check the front, rear and underneath, particularly if there is a tow plate or draw bar fitted.

Deduct at least $500 if there is noticable chassis/firewall rust.

Also check the second and third chassis cross members for damage. These are the ones under the clutch housing and gearbox. This will indicate how hard a life the vehicle has had.

Check for free-play backlash in both front and rear prop shafts. this will indicate the condition of the diff and wear on the axles etc.

Check how straight the panels are. Good straight ones can be hard to find and reproduction panels from the UK can be a few hundred dollars to land here in Oz.

PTO winches on Series 1 vehicles are usually retro-fits in the 1960's and 1970's and always after market.

If you do go ahead there is a very active Series 1 scene in Melbourne so contact the LROCV S1 Register.

C Ya
Diana

[gromit]

Thanks Garrycol & Diana,

I'll have a better look at the weekend and check out the points you've raised.

Last roadworthy was about 6 years ago when purchased by it's current (2nd) owner, PTO winch was apparently fitted from new.


Gromit

[Lotz-A-Landies]

... ...PTO winch was apparently fitted from new. ... Gromit

Gromit

If that is true about the PTO winch being fitted from new. Are we talking about a capstan which, which are in fact a type of PTO winch or are we talking about a PTO powered drum winch? (What I was thinking)

If it is the later, I would love to see a couple of pics as these were very rare on Series 1 Landies?

C Ya
Diana

[JDNSW]

Gromit

If that is true about the PTO winch being fitted from new. Are we talking about a capstan which, which are in fact a type of PTO winch or are we talking about a PTO powered drum winch? (What I was thinking)

If it is the later, I would love to see a couple of pics as these were very rare on Series 1 Landies?

C Ya
Diana

I think we'd all love to see some pictures anyway - I hope you are taking a camera!

John

[gromit]

Diana,

Yes it's a capstan winch, will take some photos.

Hope the guy is still keen on selling as I got the distinct impression he really wanted to keep it. He had only fired it up a few times over the last year to use the welder around his property.

Regards, Gromit

[gromit]

Looks like I'm now the owner of a Series 1 !

Picture of the welder (mounted under the seats is attached) not 60A, need to check the rating plate to confirm amperage. Voltmeter for the welder above the dashboard, a knob at the back of the vehicle controls the amperage

Very straight panels, virtually no chassis rust (surface rust only). One of the leafspring packs was badly rusted & spread apart but sale included 2 reco leaf springs. Has a coilover conversion to front & rear springs.

First owner has made lots of mods. Vents on drivers side are where kero fridge & stove were mounted. Even has a little door and sight glass for lighting the fridge from outside. Several lockers/cupboards in the rear, a single bed that extends across the front & middle seats (will take photos to explain), flywire screens that fit into sliding windows. There is a canvas awning that fits on the rear of the hardtop (current owner has never used this). On the rear of the body are mountings for oxygen & acetylene bottles.
Hardtop is a bit soft in a few places so needs some attention
The first owner was allegedly a contractor on the Snowy Project (not sure about this) and set the vehicle up for working away from home. Turns out that the current owner has had the vehicle for close to 15 years and bought it from the original owner who was in his 80's.

Drove well, brakes need some attention but otherwise looks like it could make it to Cooma next year.........

Gromit

[ellard]

Hi there

Nice buy and its money well spent - I am no expert when it comes to the early series ones but it still amazes me with the versitility of these early vehicles.

I would suspect the welder would be a low amperage unit - I love the way its hooked up with the PTO driving the welder & a cooling fan (via belts) - would suspect it would generate a fair bit of heat from under the vehicle when welding. I have seen another very simular to this "wrecked" - located north of Leigh Creek SA (but in a series II)

But truley another unique peice of Land Rover history - great buy indeed.

As for the 80" welder there is one in Adelaide - awaiting restoration.

All the best

PS see you at cooma

Wayne

[JDNSW]

Looks like a good and very interesting buy!

I would just about bet that the "welder' is actually a disposals aircraft generator - and is that a forge blower he has rigged up to provide forced ventilation?

Definitely not a "Landrover" welder installation.

I would hope to see it restored to its original contractor set up rather than as an "ordinary" S1. It would be interesting to try and track down some of its original history, but it does look like the sort of thing that may well have been used in the early Snowy days.

John