Headlight location by year

Gord Wedman · Feb 21, 2020

The 5 door 109 that my brother and I have recently purchased is registered as a 1960 but all the Series vehicles around this age that I have looked at have the headlights in the grill while ours has them in the wings. Is there a definitive answer as to what year first had them in the wings? I realize the fenders, err wings, could have been swapped onto the body so maybe not right for the year. Just wondering. Thanks for any info.

kermit_rr · Feb 21, 2020

My '62 swb has headlights in the grill if that's any help

Gord Wedman · Feb 21, 2020

Thanks for the reply. Another vehicle from the 60's with lights in the grill. Did any come standard with them in the wings?

kermit_rr · Feb 21, 2020

Think the lights moved to the wings in late 60s, 68-69?

wattfield · Feb 21, 2020

kermit_rr said:
Think the lights moved to the wings in late 60s, 68-69?

67/8 if I remember correctly. Plenty of earlier ones had lights added to the wings for better visibility

Gord Wedman · Feb 21, 2020

I believe one website/blog indicated 68 so that sounds right.
Our wings also have the parking and signal lights aligned vertically rather than horizontal if that helps.

wireman · Feb 22, 2020

1968 was the year they officially moved to the wings, to conform to some lighting regulations overseas. But as you say earlier vehicles can and were swapped for later series 3 items for either aesthetics (looking more modern) or as mentioned above better lighting. Or they are on the wings because the entire vehicle is a 'ringer' ie a series 3 with a series 2/2a identity.

wattfield · Feb 22, 2020

I just stick a pair of 100w lamps on the bumper... far brighter than series 3 wing lights!

wireman · Feb 22, 2020

wattfield said:
I just stick a pair of 100w lamps on the bumper... far brighter than series 3 wing lights!

...or a couple of Swan Vestas!

Gord Wedman · Feb 22, 2020

Thanks for all the replies. Seems our vehicle is newer than 1960 or has had a newer front end swapped onto the frame. Would numbers on the axles help establish a year?

wireman · Feb 22, 2020

Start with the chassis number. The trouble (or good thing which ever way you look at it) with series Land Rovers is that so many parts are interchangeable and after 50 years so many parts could have been swapped its difficult to know what was original. Post some pictures so we can help, some things are less likely to be swapped and therefore can help date a vehicle ore accurately.

Gord Wedman · Feb 22, 2020

Is the chassis number stamped on the body or frame somewhere? My brother tells me the vehicle does not have the VIN number plate. This is why I am trying to deduce it's year. ( I am in Mexico for the winter and cannot look for stuff myself.). Thanks.

wireman · Feb 22, 2020

The chassis number is stamped on the front offside (UK) nearside Canada (?) dumb iron:

No chassis plate is a little suspicious but it might just have been 'lost'. Is the chassis number on the vehicle logbook/registration certificate?

Henry_b · Feb 22, 2020

odd front end and no vin....

Hmmm..

Gord Wedman · Feb 22, 2020

I will talk with my brother tonight. Perhaps I am mistaken about the VIN plate. It is legally registered. Lots of under-coating on frame makes it hard to spot number.

Bobsticle · Feb 22, 2020

I believe the chassis has slight differences between marques but once again around the time of the changes/upgrades it isn’t unknown for the factory to use whatever was on the shelf to build either.

rob1miles · Feb 22, 2020

Send up some pics. It really helps to make sense.

Marmaduke · Feb 22, 2020

Also put a picture up of your dash location, it's not unheard of for a series 3 to be masquerading as a 2a

Gord Wedman · Feb 22, 2020

These are the only photos my brother has sent. We have a bunch of other photos from the previous owner showing it all apart with many new pieces added.

Marmaduke · Feb 22, 2020

It's ex military looking at the light switch, late series 2a with a Maltese grill

Headlight location by year

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