Offroad-Express

I own what is probably the oldest series 2 in the NZ and is called a 1 and a half by many people . According to the internet it is one of the rarest landrovers. These were only built to use up series 1 parts and then later in 1958 the real 2 was released with the new 2.2 motor

It hasn't been started for 3 years, so today I thought I had better wind it over. Within half a dozen spins burst into life.

The specs on this truck are. Built on the 3rd mar 1958 which was 6 weeks before the series 2 was released to the world on 16 april 1958.
The number is 142800016 and it still has the original motor which is the 1997cc side overhead series 1 No 142800023

It was shipped to NZ on the 24th april and bought by the North Canterbury Nassella Tussock board at Amberley 14th Aug 1958. I am the 4th owner and the rego is still on hold. The previous owner had it for 28 years. He fitted an electric element and preheated it every morning so it never had a cold start.
It has now done an original 135000 miles.

It is my retirement project to completely restore it back to original which won't be too bad because it has no rust all.



Richard

Heck man, thats a nice old land rover. Great to know a bit of its history. When do you retire... will be good to see a new 'bulletproof SII' restoration thread

Now if you'd said you had a rare FJ40, then you would be God, but alas its just a landrover.

nevermind dude, theres plenty of lorrie lovers here

have fun with the project and make sure we see pics, coz we're all just pic whores really

cheers dude

What do you mean ? , when you retire, Janet says you have been retired for years, or doe's she mean you have hung up your pouch ----- ,

NAIL POUCH THAT IS,

FITZY.

thats a nice old landy. where abouts did you find that gem?

There is a series 1.5 in wellington running around thats in really good nick for something so old. I think the guy uses it as a daily driver

I have just got confirmation from the Gaydon vehicle Museum who have all the archives of production builds in the UK.

They have confirmed that my Series 2 is the very first one built in the world.

It was a pre-production truck assembled on 3 March 1958 to test the assembly process.

The next truck was a left hand drive a week later on March 10

On 14 March production started with 25 R/H drives and 25 L/H drives and then series 1 production continued until early April.

On April 16 the series 2 was released to the world at the Amsterdam Motor show so my one was 1.5 months old by then.

On 24 April mine was dispatched to Auckland.

Cheers Richard

This is typical of English car manufacturers. To send the "Orphans" out to the "colonies", and get rid of them.

I have a prototype Vauxhall from 1908 like this, the remains of a grand prix Vauxhall from 1912 and I know of many other so call Orphans that we love for their uniqueness.

Great to hear its history, keep the story and shots coming.

skid wrote:Now if you'd said you had a rare FJ40, then you would be God,

Taking the FJ's to a whole new level ain't ya Skid?

Bulletproof wrote:I own what is probably the oldest series 2 in the NZ and is called a 1 and a half by many people . According to the internet it is one of the rarest landrovers. These were only built to use up series 1 parts and then later in 1958 the real 2 was released with the new 2.2 motor

It hasn't been started for 3 years, so today I thought I had better wind it over. Within half a dozen spins burst into life.

The specs on this truck are. Built on the 3rd mar 1958 which was 6 weeks before the series 2 was released to the world on 16 april 1958.
The number is 142800016 and it still has the original motor which is the 1997cc side overhead series 1 No 142800023

It was shipped to NZ on the 24th april and bought by the North Canterbury Nassella Tussock board at Amberley 14th Aug 1958. I am the 4th owner and the rego is still on hold. The previous owner had it for 28 years. He fitted an electric element and preheated it every morning so it never had a cold start.
It has now done an original 135000 miles.

It is my retirement project to completely restore it back to original which won't be too bad because it has no rust all.



Richard

chuck a lexus and cruiser diff under it and you will be away

number one in the world!!, rover or what they called, will be after it for a museum

good stuff

thats lush as ####

My old rare series 2 has a 3 page feature Article in the March 2011 issue of "landrover Monthly " saying it is the worlds oldest survivor and the first series 2 built.

Cheers Richard

Well I guess the pile of parts just became one of the most sort after piles in the world (kidding of course ).

Did contemplate picking up one for a project after seeing an industrial lot filled with them in Rolleston. Quickly suppressed that thought and put a zuk back into the picture.

Congratulations Richard, These are the stories I like to read and see on ORE, and it's a good reminder to Janet that all the GOODIES you have got stashed around the property are just that------,

GOODIES,

FITZY.

PS; ------ I can hear Janet in the back ground , I will have my new kitchen that I have been promised for 15yrs before you start on another 4WD restoration project or ----------,

BULLETPROOF YOU WON'T BE, ,

FITZY.

Featured in the Jan issue of Classic Land rover.



Cheers Richard

nice one anywhere to read the article online

That's awesome , congratulations , she's a real honey

Those crazy rover nuts in the UK will be goosing themselves silly over the orphans we have here.

I shudder to think what a fully restored orphan would fetch at the right auction over there...

mercutio wrote:nice one anywhere to read the article online

go and spend the £4.20 and buy the January copy ya tight arse

A few more of Ros Woodham's photos for "Classic Land rover Mag"of the first and oldest Series 2















Action shot



Cheers Richard

Did this landy live its previous life near Pine Acres/Woodend? Was one in an open shed facing SH1 for years.

drop a dirty loud V8 in it, cut the arse off, jack it on some coil overs and pop some 36" centipedes on it!!

then it would be sweet

My Series 2 is the cover photo on the latest Italian Land rover Mag. Photo courtesy of Ros Woodham



Cheers Richard

Who's the young bloke behind the steering wheel ? or was that shot taken back in the 50's.

keep us updated with your projects,

YA OLD MATE,

FITZY.

My Series 2 got very good coverage in the Italian Land rover Mag.

cover photo









Cheers Richard