series 1 landrovers
Discussion
I've got a 1955 86 inch soft top petrol and its great fun as a weekend toy. Been fully restored over the past few years and fitted with some later parts (2.25 engine, parabolics, over-drive) and improvments to make it easier to live with and more usable but essentially a classic Landy.
Reliability is all down to how its been looked after and how you treat it. There will always be niggles with old cars (even mint ones) and bear in mind even the newest Series 1 is now 48 years old! Good original Series 1's are expensive as are restored examples, so if its your first one I'd maybe consider a Series 2 or 3 as they are a cheaper way of entering classic Landy ownership and see how you like it. Also Series 1 parts can be quite hard to get if its an original one, whereas literally everything is available for the Series 2/3 model at very reasonable prices. Having said all that if you have a good budget (At least £3,000 for a good reliable Series 1, IMHO) and get a decent one it'll treat you well.
Reliability is all down to how its been looked after and how you treat it. There will always be niggles with old cars (even mint ones) and bear in mind even the newest Series 1 is now 48 years old! Good original Series 1's are expensive as are restored examples, so if its your first one I'd maybe consider a Series 2 or 3 as they are a cheaper way of entering classic Landy ownership and see how you like it. Also Series 1 parts can be quite hard to get if its an original one, whereas literally everything is available for the Series 2/3 model at very reasonable prices. Having said all that if you have a good budget (At least £3,000 for a good reliable Series 1, IMHO) and get a decent one it'll treat you well.
love the photos 
I'm used to tinkering with old cars ( 10 years messing with / restoring 60's Vw's & currently pre 73 Porsches) so expect something similar with a series 1. I imagine they are pretty easy to work on?
Budget would be circa £3K. I am after a nice usable one to trundle around in on the weekends, maybe doing slow day trips of around 50 miles.
Where would be a good place to look for one?
I'm used to tinkering with old cars ( 10 years messing with / restoring 60's Vw's & currently pre 73 Porsches) so expect something similar with a series 1. I imagine they are pretty easy to work on?
Budget would be circa £3K. I am after a nice usable one to trundle around in on the weekends, maybe doing slow day trips of around 50 miles.
Where would be a good place to look for one?
I paid £800 for mine about 10 years ago, when it looked like this:-
The recent restoration (which I didn't have time to do myself so I guess it could have been a lot cheaper) cost me around £4K and involved among other things full engine rebuild, new front end and fabricating new bulkhead.
For the UK, I would suggest looking in Land Rover Owners Magazine. There's usually a few in classifieds and also a couple of dealers that seem to have them.
The recent restoration (which I didn't have time to do myself so I guess it could have been a lot cheaper) cost me around £4K and involved among other things full engine rebuild, new front end and fabricating new bulkhead.
For the UK, I would suggest looking in Land Rover Owners Magazine. There's usually a few in classifieds and also a couple of dealers that seem to have them.
cy88 said:
I have one! A 1951 80 inch.
Cracking fun, but definitely not a daily drive. Even though I recently restored mine, I still only seem to drive it only a couple of times a year. Needs the brake shoes adjusting...note to self for next weekend.
What a top notch motor it seems a shame not to use it more.....
Back to the original thread if you use it off road expect it to go wrong and cost more to run I know that sounds stupid but the amount of times I've listened to dimwitted retards thinking that 4x4's last for ever makes my blood boil....... but most of all enjoy using a 4x4 to YOUR potential and you'll love every minute of it. I've seen a few disco's resently at very low prices and not rotten and these make lovely toy's and they don't leak (as much) or are as cold and noisey.
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff