Series 1 - 4 door station wagon

[vansrv6]

Does anyone know much about the series 1 - 4 door station wagons?. I am thinking of trying to restore one but I havne'nt seen many/any pictues or info on them in Australia!

[landyfromanuthaland]

I know of a genuine diesel series 1 4 door wagon going to rack and ruin, the old guy wont sell her as hes having ambitions of being buried in it, seems like an awful waste, but they are a fine machine and shouldnt be anymore difficult then a later series to restore.

[vansrv6]

Sounds like this one! I think it is a 107, not sure haven't checked the serial numbers. It was going just before it stopped, just like most old cars! It has a 250cu falcon motor in it. I just wonder why I haven't seen any around or any posts on them?

[JDNSW]

Series 1 107 four door station wagons have never been very common. From the front doors forward they are the same as any other 86 or 107 Series 1, and mechanically they were identical to the ute or cab/chassis. The rear body is unique, and parts could be a bit hard to track down, but they are probably all findable, and if not most of them are simple fabrication. The extra trim does add to the amount of work in restoration.

From memory they only came with the spread bore 2.0 litre engine, no diesels were made, as they did not have the 2" extra wheelbase to accommodate it,since they had a special chassis, which was never modified. They continued on sale for nearly a year after the Series 2 came out until the Series 2 wagon was ready, so they continued for around three years after the last of the other 107s.

One part that may cause problems is that they often had a fully floating rear axle (optional in late Series 1). This is narrower track than the Series 2/2a/3 axle, and half axles to fit are about as common as hen's teeth.

Very well worth restoring, as they are quite uncommon, and very distinctive. A good restoration could even be one of the rarities that is worth as much as you put into it, or close, anyway.

John

[landyfromanuthaland]

How do u tell a 107 from a 109 john u seem to be the resident guru of all things Landy, how hard would it be to find a 107 ute back these days

[101RRS]

How do u tell a 107 from a 109 john u seem to be the resident guru of all things Landy, how hard would it be to find a 107 ute back these days

A tape measure

[JDNSW]

How do u tell a 107 from a 109 john u seem to be the resident guru of all things Landy, how hard would it be to find a 107 ute back these days

The extra two inches was added in front of the firewall to accommodate the new engine planned, so you can tell by the distance from the door pillar to the wheel arch - but unless comparing two this is not easy to do at a glance. The panel behind the grille has only one opening in the 109 and 88, where it has three in the 86 and 107 - but this is not reliable either, as the panels are interchangeable, and there are quite a few mongrel Series Ones about.

Finding a 107 (or 109 - they are identical) ute back is likely to be quite difficult. They were not anywhere near as durable as the Series 2/3 tub, and tended to get knocked about and eventually scrapped and replaced with a tray back, which was even easier than the Series 2/3 as it is separate from the cab, unlike later Landrovers.

I think you will find there are others more knowledgeable than I am, particularly about Series 1s - I haven't owned one for well over forty years, just got memories and some books. Some of those who have Series 1s at the moment would be better, e.g. lotz-a-landies or Numpty.

John

[vansrv6]

I might have a measure up and throw a couple of photos on the forum to look at. I have a recolection of talk of some spacers that were made up years ago - probably 20 - so series 2 axles could go in the rear, may have had something to do with the hard to get originals. Sound like all I need to do is find that hens teeth shop, mix it with a bit of money and a big shed and a fair bit of knowledge from some blokes on your forum and I might be in business.

pending landrover series 1 enthusiest

[Roverray]

Hi vansrv6
Where are you? `need to update your signature.
Post some photos, I am sure help will be here when you need it.

[vansrv6]

I'm in Gippsland in Victoria. I will stick some photos on ASAP.