Happy Bunny!
Been casually looking for a Series Landy for a few months now, but now the summer is over I've started having a little more time to look properly. The search was on for a diesel engined Series as I was informed that having a diesel would make the planned 200TDi transplant much easier.
A few came and went, even a barn find 1960 Series 2 with gearbox powered winch went for more than I could stomach at the time.
I had been waffling over all the V8's that had turned up, writing them off for being too thirsty, or unreliable, but of all people, it' was my Dad who actually convinced me.
"If you're going to get a Land Rover, you may as well do it properly!"
Unfortunately, at the time, there was a V8 Series 2a on the bay of evil all but 20miles away from me. A quick phone call to arrange a viewing, and a couple of conversations with a couple of 'in the know' mates to ask about reliability, mpg, and what to check for and I had my test drive.
After that, it all happened rather quickly! My god is it good fun.
I collected today and haven't stopped grinning since!
_DSC2565.jpg by Diabolu80, on Flickr
_DSC2560.jpg by Diabolu80, on Flickr
The Spitfire sticker on the back door has a cool story to it too...
_DSC2558.jpg by Diabolu80, on Flickr
The pilot with the call sign JEJ went to the same school as the previous owner. He was one of the only pilots in WW2 to have his call sign as his initials as he was a bit of a spiffing pilot at the time.
But he got himself expelled from his boys school for...
... inviting 14 girls to the school swimming pool at night and, well, lets just say having a good time.
Brilliant! That is without doubt staying on! Maybe even going down the rear quarter!
_DSC2556.jpg by Diabolu80, on Flickr
Plans? Well, a little tidy up of some of the body panels (there's a couple of very very small crusty bits... and only a couple), sort out a thinner, and therefore lower and further back seating position, make a rear tonneau for the back so I can a little more safely store my tennis balls in there when going to work and after that...
... There will be a military theme as I'd really like to have a small tribute to the guys out there in some way, and this seems like a very good opportunity. Plus I'm never going to have another chance to go military on anything and feel comfortable doing it (I wouldn't do a military polo for instance)
Other than that, I'd love to know what to check over, keep an eye on and some tidy mods to do which will improve it mechanically etc.
I've read that Range Rover diffs make a big difference to the gearing, and seeing as I'm only using 3rd and 4th at the moment as it's got plenty of power for that, the diffs can only be a good thing. I believe this year is 12 spline diffs? And imagine they're straight forward to swap over.
Also looking for a Fairey Overdrive to help the cruising revs.
Fuel cut off and a battery cut off switch, and some series 2 'inside' headlights.
Keep your eyes peeled, and feel free to Inspire
Chris
And yes, I know I've been crAp and not posted piccies of the V8.. I shall do tomorrow!
Been casually looking for a Series Landy for a few months now, but now the summer is over I've started having a little more time to look properly. The search was on for a diesel engined Series as I was informed that having a diesel would make the planned 200TDi transplant much easier.
A few came and went, even a barn find 1960 Series 2 with gearbox powered winch went for more than I could stomach at the time.
I had been waffling over all the V8's that had turned up, writing them off for being too thirsty, or unreliable, but of all people, it' was my Dad who actually convinced me.
"If you're going to get a Land Rover, you may as well do it properly!"
Unfortunately, at the time, there was a V8 Series 2a on the bay of evil all but 20miles away from me. A quick phone call to arrange a viewing, and a couple of conversations with a couple of 'in the know' mates to ask about reliability, mpg, and what to check for and I had my test drive.
After that, it all happened rather quickly! My god is it good fun.
I collected today and haven't stopped grinning since!
_DSC2565.jpg by Diabolu80, on Flickr
_DSC2560.jpg by Diabolu80, on Flickr
The Spitfire sticker on the back door has a cool story to it too...
_DSC2558.jpg by Diabolu80, on Flickr
The pilot with the call sign JEJ went to the same school as the previous owner. He was one of the only pilots in WW2 to have his call sign as his initials as he was a bit of a spiffing pilot at the time.
But he got himself expelled from his boys school for...
... inviting 14 girls to the school swimming pool at night and, well, lets just say having a good time.
Brilliant! That is without doubt staying on! Maybe even going down the rear quarter!_DSC2556.jpg by Diabolu80, on Flickr
Plans? Well, a little tidy up of some of the body panels (there's a couple of very very small crusty bits... and only a couple), sort out a thinner, and therefore lower and further back seating position, make a rear tonneau for the back so I can a little more safely store my tennis balls in there when going to work and after that...
... There will be a military theme as I'd really like to have a small tribute to the guys out there in some way, and this seems like a very good opportunity. Plus I'm never going to have another chance to go military on anything and feel comfortable doing it (I wouldn't do a military polo for instance)
Other than that, I'd love to know what to check over, keep an eye on and some tidy mods to do which will improve it mechanically etc.
I've read that Range Rover diffs make a big difference to the gearing, and seeing as I'm only using 3rd and 4th at the moment as it's got plenty of power for that, the diffs can only be a good thing. I believe this year is 12 spline diffs? And imagine they're straight forward to swap over.
Also looking for a Fairey Overdrive to help the cruising revs.
Fuel cut off and a battery cut off switch, and some series 2 'inside' headlights.
Keep your eyes peeled, and feel free to Inspire
Chris
And yes, I know I've been crAp and not posted piccies of the V8.. I shall do tomorrow!
