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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 803

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 SW Santorini Black
Looking for a Series 1
I’ve recently developed a bit of a love for Series 1s and have come to the obvious conclusion that I need one to keep our Series 2 company. Laughing

I don’t have much, if any experience, with Series 1s so I was hoping someone here may be able to give me a couple of pointers?

I’m not after a pristine example, I want something that runs and isn’t about to snap in half. Even if it doesn’t run as long as it has a good chance of running! The body work can look like a Paul Smith special for all I care - to some extent. I also don’t want to be spending a huge sum on it. I’ve seen runners going for £5-7,000 and scrap for £12,000.

If someone could point me in the direction of where I might find a well priced, decent project it’d be much appreciated! I’d also like to know roughly what I should be spending and whether there are any particular things to look out for (good and bad). I have it in my mind to go for one with a petrol engine, as our Series 2 is petrol. Should I be considering diesel?

Also, do Series 1s have door locks?

Cheers! Thumbs Up Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #868727 21st Nov 2020 8:19am
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Gareth



Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 1038

England 2003 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Oslo Blue
I think the diesel will be a rare find, especially with the original engine. 2021 Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D300 MHEV
1966 S2a 109 aka Betsy
1968 S2a 88 aka Bob
2014 Jaaaag F Type 3.0 Supercharged.
Post #868732 21st Nov 2020 8:36am
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 803

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 SW Santorini Black
I haven’t seen many anyway to be honest. There are a few Australian imports with diesel swaps in them. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #868735 21st Nov 2020 8:52am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16809

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Remember the diesel only appeared on the very final years of SI production (when the wheelbases increased to 88" and 109") so statistically there would always have been far fewer of them than the petrol. It was also a very low powered engine (acceptable by the standards of '57 but not for long) so of that small number, even fewer will have survived.

A genuine SI diesel would now be highly collectible but not especially pleasant to drive in modern traffic.
Post #868742 21st Nov 2020 9:51am
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seriesonenut



Member Since: 19 Nov 2014
Location: Essex
Posts: 1205

United Kingdom 
Hi
Well I am fortunate to have one of each! To be honest a) finding an original diesel could take a very long time to turn up and b)you need to decide if you can live with it. We had our original engine rebuilt and that was not easy as parts supplies are hard to come by and our engine builder took months to track down what he needed. Personally I love it, feels like a mini truck, very happy upto 40 mph beyond that it will go faster but that's not where its most happy. My other is an 88'' 2wd but fitted with a 2.25 petrol. Built from a boatyard find back in the early 2000's by myself brother and late father. I know every nut an bolt in it and its a great vehicle, especially in the summer with everything removed for the open air experience!

You are quite right about prices. We brought ours early 2000's since then prices have gone mad, only last week I spotted another 4x2, a complete wreck for £8K. You could spend the same again in parts to get it to any sort of standard (chassis and engine alone). That said there are always a few out there, probably £10k will get you something useable. If you haven't join the series one land rover club to get the mag (good read) and members part of the website as ads do come up. If you find something you can always PM me for a chat if it helps.

speaking of series ones I'm just off to remove the prop shaft on the 88 to get into the handbrake, always something to do....


Click image to enlarge
1july by Richard Holmes, on Flickr


Click image to enlarge
3 by Richard Holmes, on Flickr 2010 XS USW
1957 Series One 88 diesel
1958 Series One 88 4x2
Post #868744 21st Nov 2020 10:03am
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 803

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 SW Santorini Black
I wasn’t keen on the idea of a diesel to begin with but now I certainly won’t be holding out for one!

SeriesOneNut, really good shout regarding the Series 1 Club, I’ll have a look! Thanks for the offer for a chat as well, I may take you up on that as the search continues. From what I’ve seen, £8,500 gets you something that’ll be a decent project but is going to need time and money thrown at it. £10-15,000 opens up vehicles that are good to go but not so immaculate in terms of paintwork, which is what I’m after. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #868747 21st Nov 2020 10:29am
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defender9



Member Since: 12 Mar 2016
Location: Fylde Coast
Posts: 1611

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
I have a couple of Series Ones, one is totally original another I have modified to suit my needs and to make it more useable in today’s traffic. I wouldn’t get too hung up on originality as that usually cost a lot of money. As mentioned join the Series One Club as there is a wealth of knowledge in the Club and as you have already found out there are a few of us on here who are long term Series One owners. Personally I would stick with Petrol but a genuine Series One Diesel is a rare thing but if you want to get anywhere a bit faster and without deafness coming to visit you then Petrol is a decent choice, also I would not be put off by Series Ones with later 2 1/4 or 2.5 petrol engines as they are good engines and many Series Ones have been converted due to the( these days) high cost of a Series One engine rebuild. Good luck with your search.
Post #868751 21st Nov 2020 10:45am
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 803

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 SW Santorini Black
Yes I’m not too fussed about 100% originality. Our Series 2 is totally original bar the exhaust manifold and it cost a kidney when it was unrestored, not running, and hiding under a shed! The 2.25 in the Series 2 is a lovely little motor so I wouldn’t have any problems owning a Series 1 with that unit.

I think diesel is off the cards now. I’ve got a Td5 to scratch the diesel itch and I’ve got enough tinnitus already! Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #868753 21st Nov 2020 10:53am
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Slideywindows



Member Since: 09 Sep 2016
Location: North Essex
Posts: 1283

England 
I think Seriesonenut and Defender9 know that I could bore for England on Series One 2 litre diesels, so I shall desist.


I have a 2.25, 5 main-bearing petrol engine in a Series One Station Wagon, and although not original to the vehicle, it is a lovely engine.

The only slight difficulty with the conversion is getting the air pipe to the high-mounted carburettor, under the SI bonnet.

If you find what you want, be sure to show us! Thumbs Up
Post #868871 21st Nov 2020 9:24pm
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 803

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 SW Santorini Black
I think it’ll take a while to find a vehicle that suits my needs but I’ll be sure to put some pictures up of it as and when! Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #868875 21st Nov 2020 9:33pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16809

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
My 86" has a 2286cc 3-bearing petrol engine in place of the original 1997cc (I have the original engine too). It is an easy and reversible conversion, the only challenge now being finding the bell-housing and a SI diesel radiator, although the petrol rad can be converted (the bottom pipe has to swap sides). As noted above the induction elbow is a tight fit under the bonnet.

With the 2.1/4 engine, overdrive, 7.50 tyres, and parabolic springs it is really very civilised.
Post #868889 21st Nov 2020 10:56pm
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strang



Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1362

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
My 88 was originally a 2 litre diesel (at some point it had been converted to petrol, but when I bought it it had a 2 litre lump fitted). I had loads of problems with the engines, usually the wet liners would cause problems. I did manage to build up a collection of engines and spares, but sold most many years ago as I fitted a 200Tdi as I was going to lots of events in Europe and needed to keep up with everyone else!

I would reiterate joining the Series One club - and look on facebook, there is a great group called the Series One Brotherhood, as well as the S1 Club.

If you are looking for Series Ones to buy, have a look for Jon Holmes or Cross Channel Classics on Facebook. Jon is importing lots of used series ones from Oz, and has models in various conditions.

Other thoughts, consider a LWB (107 and 109) as these are often cheaper. Also consider buying a later series one, not an 80 as firstly they will be cheaper, but also spares are more available. Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....
Post #868980 22nd Nov 2020 3:38pm
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 803

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 SW Santorini Black
Thanks for the Facebook tips! I’ve gone on and found those pages, so I’ll have a look through those. I’ll also look into Cross Channel Classics and see what they have on offer.

I wouldn’t be against an LWB actually. When we found our Series 2, there was also an LWB Series 1 laid up in a shed with only 4,600 miles. I wish we’d had the sense to buy it at the time! Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders
Post #868982 22nd Nov 2020 3:49pm
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defender9



Member Since: 12 Mar 2016
Location: Fylde Coast
Posts: 1611

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Interesting to see the amount of LWB Series Ones for sale from various importers of ex Australian and New Zealand vehicles but unsurprising as they were probably the vehicle of choice in the 50s due to their larger carrying capacity. Many of these have had a pretty hard life on farms however in a lot of cases they have very good chassis and bulkheads so a good base for a rebuild or recommission. Jon Holmes does seem to find some quite nice Series Ones which appear quite original.
Post #868991 22nd Nov 2020 4:36pm
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