Who has secretly hankered after an early Series Landy?

[tosspot]

I ran a 77 Ser111 88" for 11 yrs, a good ol Leyland years one made from monkey metal, oh how i became familiar with every nut and bolt on the ******* thing, and yes if you repaired properly it would last very well and you could move onto the next breakage

 

had a 61 Ser11 88" as a gun bus for a while dedicated lamper, complete with a 2.2 BMC London taxi cab motor god that was slow even with overdrive

 

turned japanese with a Hilux never looked back, would entertain another Solihull special only if new or near as dammit

[Mungler]

Rod, you a car dealer or car nut?

[Kilvy]

Would love one but as others have mentioned a bit cramped ... with my 6'2" 20stone carcus shoe horned in i don't think i'd be able too turn the steering wheel lmao

 

on another note some friends of mine are currently getting a restoration job done on one by another friend of mine here's the blog http://projectbertha.blogspot.com/ ... its coming on nicely a few little projects on the go aswel

Edited January 24, 2010 by Kilvy

[rodp]

I ran a 77 Ser111 88" for 11 yrs, a good ol Leyland years one made from monkey metal, oh how i became familiar with every nut and bolt on the ******* thing, and yes if you repaired properly it would last very well and you could move onto the next breakage

 

had a 61 Ser11 88" as a gun bus for a while dedicated lamper, complete with a 2.2 BMC London taxi cab motor god that was slow even with overdrive

 

turned japanese with a Hilux never looked back, would entertain another Solihull special only if new or near as dammit

 

 

Problem is, and a lot forget this, is that most old L/Rs are 40/ 50 /60 years old now. If you bought a classic car from the 50s or even 60s for just a few hundred quid you would expect to do a full rebuild. You would remove the back axle and strip it, clean it, paint it, fit all new seals, new bearings, new brakes all round etc etc. Same with G/box, same with steering box, same with engine. All this after you had welded new floor pans in, new inner wings, new sills (inner and outer), major chassis work if it had one, new boot floor etc etc etc.

 

With a L/R, for some reason, folk buy them, put a set of plugs in, adjust the hand brake right up (so it chatters when stopping) and expect it to run for the next 30 years. Then they moan about it being unreliable.

 

A rebuilt series WILL last from one mot to the next if rebuilt PROPERLY, unfortunately that means spending more than a couple of quid on the rebuild

 

And yes, I've done a few, both for myself and customers. It's dirty hard work but worth it in the end. And no, I ain't doing another. Got no premises now anyway so that's me out of it all

[Delbert]

Yep, tax exempt 2 door with a canvas top.

 

Mind you, I want a nice reliable modern td5 lump and running gear.

 

I understand they are called "hybrids".

Sorry no if you change the suspension and engine the exemption

is removed. There is a limited amount of stuff you can change before

the DVLA points system makes it taxable and I wouldn't

even think of putting a TD5 in a vehicle it was not designed for

it is computer controlled (badly IMO) the beauty of the Old

Series is 'KISS' -( keep it simple) any fault on a TD5 is dealertime

check out the DVLA altered vehicle page

(which I may add took me ten minutes to find and I knew where to look.)

Though it may look straight forward modifying the suspension mounts leaf to coil

looses you 5 points as it is no longer an original chassis the common

mod on hybrids is to put a range rover chassis in same applies.

I'm happily landy free ATM 16mths and holding

[rodp]

Rod, you a car dealer or car nut?

 

Was a L/R nut. Had a workshop specialising in them We mainly stuck to competition motors and specialised in roll cages, winch bumper, fabrication etc. Did the normal stuff to road motors when quiet but triallers are far more interesting

 

Closed in 2000, sold the other side of the business and the L/Rs just weren't enough around our way, we new that when selling though.

Passed on the work to another bloke who was going to make his fortune at them He went bust within a couple of years.

 

I've run everything from 80", 86", 88" series ones, series two's, series three's, Range Rovers, defenders, Unimog, Cherokee chief, CJ5, Suzi's and probably more. Never had an Argo cat and always wanted one, probably couldn't afford one now :look:

 

My son has a series though so I can always play in that when he's put the new lights on, and yes, we will change EVERY light on it 'cause that's the way to do it. Do it properly or not at all

[lambhat]

I've an SWB S2. My sensible side says it's awful, but I can't help enjoying driving it.

 

Some of the pros and cons:

- no matter how much TLC it gets, you can't guarantee it'll start without 15 mins of tinkering. (If you drive a normal car this won't sound like a big deal, but it's pretty annoying when you actually want to go somewhere).

- no heating, no demisting, brakes are dangerously awful, steering dangerously vague, lights dangerously dim, mirrors are pointless

- bits fall off it regularly

+ when bits fall off it's easy to put them back on

+ it's totally unstoppable off road

+ you get to wave at other series Landy drivers

+ every trip is an adventure, and it makes you really appreciate modern cars

+ NO TAX

[dunganick]

Andy,

 

Surely this is a bad idea? Once you 'pay a man to fix it up' you may as well have bought a decent 300tdi and suffered the £450ish a year tax.

 

You don't strike me as someone that would want to spend the weekend fixing the landrover, which i'm pretty convinced is what the combat trouser wearing/green lane types enjoy (got no problem with this before i get a visit from a ****** off landrover enthusiast) and what makes the landrover cheaper to run for them.

 

Having said which they look like a laugh and you really wouldn't care about scratching one, so i guess as a true offroader they are pretty unbeatable.

[mickmep]

ran a 1980 SIII for about 5 yaers and loved it, used it for trialling.

always fancied a lightweight, my brother had one was a great motor.

 

think sometimes motors like that are best left as good memories,

if i drove one now after having the disco for 5 years it probably wouldn't be as good

as i remember.

 

to be fair though mine was a 1980 and i never had many problems with it.

 

if i did (was allowed) to buy another it would be a lightweight though, full ragtop.

[rodp]

I've an SWB S2. My sensible side says it's awful, but I can't help enjoying driving it.

 

Some of the pros and cons:

- no matter how much TLC it gets, you can't guarantee it'll start without 15 mins of tinkering. (If you drive a normal car this won't sound like a big deal, but it's pretty annoying when you actually want to go somewhere).

- no heating, no demisting, brakes are dangerously awful, steering dangerously vague, lights dangerously dim, mirrors are pointless

- bits fall off it regularly

+ when bits fall off it's easy to put them back on

+ it's totally unstoppable off road

+ you get to wave at other series Landy drivers

+ every trip is an adventure, and it makes you really appreciate modern cars

+ NO TAX

 

See, this is what puzzles me (I'm not slagging you off, it's your choice) Do you think it came out of the factory like that? This is a motor that was rated for towing 3.,5 tons and they made it with dangerous steering, no brakes and takes 15 mins to start !

 

Tell you what I'll do, you ship the motor to me and I'll rebuild it, if it's not reliable, steerable and doesn't stop on a tanner when I've done I will not charge you any labour, just the fitted parts. I'll need it for app 3 months as I'm old now and work slowly (and not at all in the cold or rain) If you're happy with it and it drives as it should then you pay the labour bill

 

Deal ? Or do you really mean to say, look, I've got a Landy that's so old bits fall off all the time, it barely stops or steers but blooming heck THE OLD GIRL STILL DOES HER BEST and I don't spend a dime on her

[hookbones]

i did the deed of insanity when i was 18 and a mate rang to say he had a perfect motor for me.. a 1970-71 2A lightweight with truck cab hand painted in brown n white camo,no seats floor or engine to me £250. i to this day have no idea just what made me think it was a good prospect or made me say yes! it had trees growing through the engine bay lifting the bonnet and the same sprouting through the missing floor up to the roof n bending back down. there were cats living in it n no keys

after an hour with a saw i was able to get a plank n a milk crate seat in and get the same mate to tow me back home..with no breaks n a 3foot rope the back of his car was flattened b4 long,every time he braked n i hit him his boot lid would lift n then close n my plank slipped nearer the edge of doom. in the end i did get it back a soon got a scimitar v6 lump that sat on the back year in year out...more trees grew n more cats moved in while my dad used the back as a shed till 1 day it just collapsed .then out of the blue a guy knocks on the door saying that if i wanted to sell he would buy it and it went off to house stray cats in someone else s yard. poor thing just oozed project but was soooo far gone

 

god help me tho because it left a gap....an unitched itch that only a crapped out lightweight can fill... my great unfinished work

[Mungler]

i did the deed of insanity when i was 18 and a mate rang to say he had a perfect motor for me.. a 1970-71 2A lightweight with truck cab hand painted in brown n white camo,no seats floor or engine to me £250. i to this day have no idea just what made me think it was a good prospect or made me say yes! it had trees growing through the engine bay lifting the bonnet and the same sprouting through the missing floor up to the roof n bending back down. there were cats living in it n no keys

after an hour with a saw i was able to get a plank n a milk crate seat in and get the same mate to tow me back home..with no breaks n a 3foot rope the back of his car was flattened b4 long,every time he braked n i hit him his boot lid would lift n then close n my plank slipped nearer the edge of doom. in the end i did get it back a soon got a scimitar v6 lump that sat on the back year in year out...more trees grew n more cats moved in while my dad used the back as a shed till 1 day it just collapsed .then out of the blue a guy knocks on the door saying that if i wanted to sell he would buy it and it went off to house stray cats in someone else s yard. poor thing just oozed project but was soooo far gone

 

god help me tho because it left a gap....an unitched itch that only a crapped out lightweight can fill... my great unfinished work

 

 

 

That is ******* hilarious

 

The itch that won't go away hey - I think there are a few on here who feel it, but alas, I am with Dunganick on this - I want a series 2 Landy but one that runs like my Series2 Disco, and it just ain't gonna happen. Oh yes and whilst I wouldn't want the active suspension stuff or air con - abs, power steering, central locking and electric windows would be nice

[MC]

That is ******* hilarious

 

The itch that won't go away hey - I think there are a few on here who feel it, but alas, I am with Dunganick on this - I want a series 2 Landy but one that runs like my Series2 Disco, and it just ain't gonna happen. Oh yes and whilst I wouldn't want the active suspension stuff or air con - abs, power steering, central locking and electric windows would be nice

 

In other words you want another Disco that you can play in don't you?

[mickeylove]

Go lightweight! if you want one that goes like a disco then do wot i done and put a disco engine in it (cost £200 took a weekend and got £100 back when i sold the old engine)

[gixer1]

They are full of charecter and you'd be hard pushed to beat an original tyre'd SIIa offroad, I would love one, me and my dad built his IIa hybrid years ago (it had the lights in the grille but also S3 wings with lights and defender doors with windy windows which fit straight on! with a small change to hinges)

 

Chequer plate everywhere!

 

and the fact that so many of them are still around (rotten or not) shows they last, they are like mecanno to work on and the fact that you can pressure wash the inside of them speaks volume...love to see you do that with an early velour interior shogun!

 

but be prepared to tinker with it!

Edited January 25, 2010 by gixer1

[al4x]

Mungler its a hankering most have and I'm fortunate I've driven enough of other peoples ones to realise they're under powered, un reliable, un comfortable and bloody un economical to run. But you're mentioning hybrids which are in a different league IMHO buy a half decent one and a trailer and tow it to the pay and play places and keep the hobby at that. Road going ones are how to spend a lot of money on your toy, and as for taking it shooting well only if you shoot 5 miles down the road any further well its just too uncomfortable.

 

One things for sure put the thought out of your mind if you've had a drink and go on ebay you could get carried away and end up with a monster

Edited January 25, 2010 by al4x

[julesl2000]

I currently own 2 series one Land Rovers a 1951 80" and a 1954 86". I completely restored the 86" 10 years ago and my project this summer is the 80 inch.

 

The 86" has been on the road since its restoration and is a reliable great fun vehicle (canvas top fold down screen etc) it also still earns it keep towing a trailer etc as well as a vehicle for lamping etc.

 

I find that they are a great practical classic to own but not an everyday vehicle for commuting etc, (top speed 50 - 55mph) but most spares are still available some at a cost though, but best of all is their simplicity to work on, they are basically a big mecano set.

 

The areas to beware when looking at a vehicle are the chassis and outriggers and the bulkhead (both are prone to rust and repair / replacement can be very costly) as well as checking the axles engine and gearbox are correct for the age of the vehicle as originallity makes a huge difference to the value of the vehicle.

 

Overall I would say they are still an undervalued classic.

[ziplex]

I wanted one for years even before I started shooting but after being driven a short way down a road, over a stubble field and then trying to talk whilst the engine was still running I changed my mind.....I couldn't get out of it fast enough after being nearly ejected through the roof, shouting to make myself heard and feeling a car shake at tickover like i'd never experienced before , I was like a nervous wreck, it was quaint enough but too much for me. Maybe this one was a bad example, if it wasn't I salute all who drive one, you're either completely insane or very 'ard

[ozzy518]

I thought about a Series 2 but then decided that I wanted modern suspension.Not fussed about mod cons, just wanted a truck to load the gear in, get to the field and not have to worry about getting it scratched/muddy/bloody. Ended up with my Ex MOD defender. Cheap to run and no need to go to the gym as lack of power steering gives you the arms of popeye after a while. I do plan a few modifications to it like sticking a hard top on.

[George1990]

Can't wait to start bringing in some beans so I can get one. Want one more than ever reading your posts!

 

Dad's got a 90 which he's had from new, only 1988 or 89, and done all sorts and spent many many hours tinkering with and restoring. He had an ex-mod IIa before but unstoppable rot got to it.

 

And my brother's just got a C reg 90, which makes me want one even more, despite the fact it gushes oil and been hand painted with bright blue emulsion. It's not fair!

[Chris Bb]

 

We've been together over ten years now.

 

Still smile every time I climb onboard.

 

However don't ask me what it's cost over those years..........

 

It's willed to my Godson, that's the only way I'll not be driving it.

 

They're like Marmite (and I don't mean brown & sticky).

[ME]

She's a beaut Chris Bb

[Chris Bb]

She's a beaut Chris Bb

Thanks.

 

Apart from the fun aspect I actually see it as something of a duty to mantain a piece of British Army history. OK it's only an old Land Rover, I know, but I have researched its history and try to keep it exactly as it was while in service (Northern Ireland throughout).

 

Regardless, it's still fun and, occasionaly, practical. 120k on clock and still takes us to Cornwall, Peaks, etc.

[crazyfarmerboy]

Learnt to drive in this little beasty,

 

still gets used for rabbit shooting,

 

hopefully going to get her back on the road in the summer with a truck cab roof

 

Edited January 26, 2010 by crazyfarmerboy

[john deere]

my ragtop