Series 2A rebuilt as a 3!

I've just taken on an interesting project. I've purchased a Series 2a (1968 - chassis suffix E) and whilst Chassis numbers match and HPI is clear it has had a slight change from original.

The front bulkhead, dashboard and engine have been replaced with ones from a Series 3. I understand from a conversation I had with a member of the Series 2 club that this is something that this happened when people wanted their 2s to appear "more modern"!

I'm trying to work out the best approach to convert it back to it original state and to understand - other than sourcing the parts - how much work over and above bulkhead and engine change that could be a part of this?

Has anyone out there carried out this work before and have any tips?

Thanks

Matt

you don't need to change the engine though, do you? same engine isn't it apart from a 5 bearing

bulk, wings, dash

got pics of it? inside and out

Hi Matt. The main thing is the bulkhead. Have they also fitted anything such as brake servo, s111 heater.

I am not sure but I think the s3 has a slightly different steering column.

Then of course is all the modified wiring from the shifting of the dashboard from the centre of the bulkhead to before the driver.

When you say chassis number, are you just talking about the vin plate or the actual stamped number?

It may be worth checking the chassis to ensure its a 2a. Not much point going to the effort of a bulkhead change it it's just a badge engineered series 3.

Hi,

Thanks for the quick feedback...

I will have pics when I get myself moving and take them. It is the stamped number which I've looked at on the chassis so I'm fairly confident it is kosher... still have my doubts but have double checked as much as I am able.

In answer to KillaJoules - yes the steering is different and the column in this one doesn't even seem to be from a landy! The heater is also from a series 3...

Matt

Sorry to be negative, but is it a 3 masquerading as a 2 to get in the no tax bracket.

Find the numbers stamped on:

Drivers side dumbiron around the spring hanger.
Both axle casings
Window glass
Windscreen
Gearbox.

Some or all of these numbers should tally with being a 2a (your series 2 club friend should be able to check for you). I know the glass could have been changed but I would have expected the axles to be right.

Peter

Possibly but just looking at the chassis in the front brake pipe area will tell you if it's a 2 or 3 chassis even if the number has been restamped. (which seems a bit elaborate)

Hi Peter,

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm fairly sanguine even if it is a 3 masquerading as I got it for a good price and i'll certainly be checking the areas you've mentioned. Whatever does happen I plan to return it to it's original state and given the availablity of parts the 3 might be the easier option as I want it to be as original as possible.

I am still not 100% convinced what it was when it left Solihull as a 47 year old (or younger) can go through lots of changes.... I'm there and I used to be young, optimistic, free, single and solvent... now my wife doesn't believe any of these still apply!

Chassis numbers do match (from the chassis on the spring mounting) so a 2a with alterations - probably a body swap is the most likely. I've requested the full vehicle history as well from the DVLA to see if any changes have been registered.

Matt

Romahomepete said:

Sorry to be negative, but is it a 3 masquerading as a 2 to get in the no tax bracket.

Find the numbers stamped on:

Drivers side dumbiron around the spring hanger.
Both axle casings
Window glass
Windscreen
Gearbox.

Some or all of these numbers should tally with being a 2a (your series 2 club friend should be able to check for you). I know the glass could have been changed but I would have expected the axles to be right.

Peter

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if someone was going to do that - masquerade a 3 as a 2 - wouldn't it be easier for them to masquerade it as a tax free 3? prior to the re-introduction of the rolling forward of ved exemption the first 3's were already exempt when the roll forward was stopped all those years ago.

Don't forget some 2a's look very like a 3 at the front .....like mine



Maltese cross grill rather than plaggy SIII

SIIA should have flat windscreen hinges
all metal dashboard
Heater IF fitted just above transmission tunnel in cab
seat box rivets will be domed rather than pop type as will ones on hard top etc
stand out door hinges
None all syncro box
Push and turn window locks above the door glass in the door tops
Tex magna type indicator switch

SIII will have box type screen hinges
Heater under bonnet
All syncro box
pop type rivets
Flat hinges
plastic slide type window locks mounted below sliding glass in door top

Ahh that takes me back to my first Landy. Like yours a Maltese cross APG490H limestone 12seater safari. Originally a 6 cylinder but had a Perkins 4.203 when I bought it. I subsequently replaced that with a 3.5 V8 from an SD1

Does yours have the Salisbury axle and servo assisted brakes?

Rover axle and dual circuit servoed brakes ....Though in fairness Mine has been adapted over the years ....

19j under the bonnet ....that's not what I consider an update (Unless I needed a boat anchor)
So in the process of removing that and going 300TDi at the moment ...but after whipping the front end off the footwells and door pillars are goosed so I'm doing those first ....

Never simple with a series is it lol

The mystery is solved...After scratching my head on this for a while I tracked down the previous owner and have now discovered what the story is.

It is both a Series 2a and a Series 3. The chap - a farmer in North Wales - had both and one (series 3) had a fairly smashed up body - after a tree fell on it but solid bulkhead, chassis and motor and the other (2a) had a rotten chassis, bulkhead and seized engine. So, like a lego kit he decided to perform open chassis surgery and ended up with this hybrid.

So, take your pick as to what it is... personally I think I'll have to restore as a 3 as that is where the major components come from. Shame as it would have been nice to have the older model but still happy with what I've got.

When I get going on the rebuild I'll post some pictures.


Matt

So which registration does it have?

Blackburn said:

So which registration does it have?

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It has the 2a registration which I will correct in time. But as it will now be off road for a while the work comes first.

Sounds like my brothers. It started life with us 20 years ago as a knackered 1960 s11. But through the years has had several minor to major rebuilds.

When it's chassis failed after being stood for a few years a friend offered a s3 with gave chassis but dead engine. So it's effectivly a s3 now. Hard to actually recall what is left of the original, the inverted The headlight panel we think. It's just morphed over the years of heavy use

Just beware it's not carrying two vehicles id's around.....
One on the VIN plate and another stamped on the side of the Dumbiron on the chassis....

World of pain if it is and it's spotted ;-) say at mot time.

mistericeman said:

Just beware it's not carrying two vehicles id's around.....
One on the VIN plate and another stamped on the side of the Dumbiron on the chassis....

World of pain if it is and it's spotted ;-) say at mot time.

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Good point... and as soon as I am brave enough to spend the weekend removing WaxOyl I'll be checking...

Torkers said:

It has the 2a registration which I will correct in time.

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You haven't really got a choice of s2a or s3 identity. You have a choice of staying quiet and keeping the s2a identity or opening a can of worms that's going to end up with a Q plate and DVLA-assigned VIN...

SWB series 3 chassis rails made from two pressings with join down the middle top and bottom. Series 2 and 2a made from four plates joined on the corners. There may be some that do not comply,ones from the changeover in production from two's to three's.