early series, project for the dad and kids?

[procrastination inc]

spotted this today


the girls love it

a few Q's:

What is it?
What probs should I look for?
What's it worth?

cheers

Jason

[Sleepy]

What is it?

Series 1 88" (Late 50's)

What probs should I look for?

1. Rust - Chassis and bulkhead
2. Addiction to land rovers

What's it worth?

Tough - does it run? if it's rusty, probably only a few hundred but could be over a grand if it's all there, more if it's solid.

Do you have the chassis number or any other details or photos to help.

[olmate]

Well said Paul .

And 'as for the addiction' - just buy it

[procrastination inc]

rusty bulkhead

chassis looks good. Last run 4 years ago

missing tail lights, tail gate, air filter, top of passenger door, after market dents and and panel tears, otherwise complete

hand painted broccoli green, with a piece of broccoli it seems

[JDNSW]

It looks as if it could be an attractive project. Apart from the points already mentioned, a few things to think about.

Good Series 1 bulkheads are hard to find and expensive if new (I think you can get them ex-UK, but it won't be cheap. While they can be repaired by a skilled metalworker, this could get expensive as well unless you have or can acquire the skills.

Most parts will be obtainable, but Series 1 parts are getting to where you are likely to have to do a fair bit of looking, and pay handsomely when you do find them, although the late ones like this are easier than the 80". On the plus side, with the late Series 1 like this, many parts are either the same as or interchangeable with readily available Series 2/2a/3 parts.(for example, that missing aircleaner is shared with 2/2a/3) But being a stickler for authenticity can add a lot to restoration cost.

John

[procrastination inc]

rebuilding a bulkhead with as much rust as I saw in this one is within my means.

I'm not fussed about originality. I think I might even offend a few enthusiasts

Functional and good looking is all it needs to be. My 12yo wants it as her first car

I think vacuum assisted braking would be in order. She'll just have to develop big arm muscles for the steering

[Sleepy]

Sounds like a good project - given that you reckon you could repair the bulkhead - go for it.

Don't worry about the dents,
original lights cost a fortune grab something aftermarket.
Sounds like you should be able to get the motor going - from this distance it doesn't look too bad.
Dual wheel setup - haven't seen that before.

If your not sticking with originality you can retro fit lots of land rover bits from later land rovers. (or, god forbid, other brands )

Not sure I would wan't my daughter driving one - not the safest vehicle out there - look good at the beach I s'pose.

hand painted broccoli green, with a piece of broccoli it seems

Nice one - that's a factory option!

[Outlaw]

are my eyes playing with me or does it have dual wheels on the rear?

[JDNSW]

rebuilding a bulkhead with as much rust as I saw in this one is within my means.

I'm not fussed about originality. I think I might even offend a few enthusiasts

Functional and good looking is all it needs to be. My 12yo wants it as her first car

I think vacuum assisted braking would be in order. She'll just have to develop big arm muscles for the steering

It is not really practical to fit a vacuum assisted master cylinder to Series 1s. However, I seem to remember that someone commented in this forum a while back that the VH44 remote booster is still available, and this is relatively easy to fit. But the brakes on a swb should be fairly good if in good shape, and there is always the possibility of upgrading them to lwb brakes (going from 10 to 11" drums) which may be a more substantive improvement (or you could do both!).

That steering box is not as good as the later ones, and if in any doubt, in view of your not being fussed about originality, I would not hesitate to replace it with a Series 2/2a (to 67) or the later 2a/3 box, both of which are recirculating ball not worm and nut, and are far less prone to wear. All of them are bolt in swaps, except for the horn button arrangement, and the late 2a/3 has a different wheel.

John

[procrastination inc]

are my eyes playing with me or does it have dual wheels on the rear? ......

Dodgy, dodgy set up. Looks like all thread and section of water pipe for spacers.