...talk me out of it! It would just be as a third, purely recreational use vehicle. Would probably end up taking it apart and tidying it up a bit with my son. I got as far as browsing the ads in Classic Land Rover

Or does anyone have any good advice about the pitfalls? I guess rust is pretty high up on the list...

Last edited by milesr3 on 13th Dec 2014 1:59pm. Edited 1 time in total

I want one that was registered the same day as I was born...

buying a SII ? DO IT

I'm really hankering after a ratty IIa 88" truck cab

Get it bought!

you should only start questioning yourself when thinking about the 5th or 6th vehicle (and where to hide it from the wife!!!) He who dies with the most toys...wins!

Good decision!

Somewhere in the internet there is a good guide to buy one in special have indications were are the hot spot of rust and other normal problems that to be check befor buy one.

My dream is to buy a 109 SIIa but has been postponed for years  Eduardo

MY 2007 110 SW PUMA 2.4: Big Fog of 64'
MY 1994 Jayco 1207 Folding camper: "El Tremendo"

Click image to enlarge

Yea do it they are fantastic, a good one drives pretty well and mine are worth alot more than i paid for them so have been a better investment than putting the money in the bank for me  2001 TD5 110 County Station Wagon - sold
1970 Series 2A Station Wagon
1970 Series 2A hard top
1960 Series 2
1972 Series 3

Series IIs are great. The IIA is more common, and probably the best of the bunch really. 2.25 petrol or diesel options, the petrol being generally accepted as the better unit as it's a fair bit faster, smoother and nicer to live with, but a well set up diesel isn't something to immediately dismiss! Depends on your usage.

Things to look out for, obviously the rust as per Defenders, chassis all over, bulkhead, footwells. Series IIs/IIAs don't have sycromesh on 1st and 2nd (unless it's been fitted with a SIII unit), which makes it more fun to drive but make sure there are no horrible noises and it doesn't pop out of gear. Make sure the 4wd and low box selection works (I don't know if you know how the Series set up works, incase not):

Red Lever: Forward position - 2wd High Range. Backward position - 4wd Low Range.

Yellow Lever: Push down - 4wd High Range. To disengage, pull red lever back then forward again, obviously when stationary or very slowly.

Again depending on your usage and budget, look for ones that are mainly original as they make better investments, as well as being solid and complete. Galvanised chassis'd ones are excellent, but some can still be dogs mechanically so be careful. Period add ons such as overdrive and freewheeling hubs are also excellent, the former being far more useful than the latter. Changing to 7.50 tyres on a SWB vehicle if not already fitted is a good move to increase fuel economy/and or cruising speed as well as off road ability.

Basically if you would like a nice original vehicle, do your research on what to look for on each model e.g. some have been rebuilt using SIII bulkheads, wings, rear tubs etc. Pete

2010 Discovery 4 GS TDV6
2008 Defender 110 DCPU 2.4 TDCi
1972 Series III 88" 2.25P

Do it! I've been thinking of doing the same in an attempt to recapture some of my youth. My lad will want to start driving proper next year and I reckon a IIa would be the ideal first car for him. Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades.
Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW.

[Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc]

http://forums.lr4x4.com

I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic.

Thanks for the advice Pete!

I would like to think that I could find a reasonably original but tatty one. I imagine everyone else is looking for exactly the same holy grail though! Not expecting to put 1,000s of miles on it, so hopefully something with a little life left in the mechanicals.

Budget is £4K and will probably increase when I start looking properly. I've already seen a few at twice this and more in various classifieds.

My daughter will start learning to drive next year and I'd love to get my own back on her by making her learn in it. My wife had a SIIA as her first works vehicle (she worked in countryside) and it would really be for her, well that's my excuse anyway. I remember driving round north Suffolk in it as a student when she employed me to put up some finger posts one year; never dared touch the yellow and red handled levers!

Do it, you won't regret it.

More driving the S2A than anything else I have driven. I use the Defender every day but would sell it before getting rid of the S2A.


Click image to enlarge

I would advise joining the Series 2 club and using the excellent forum for information, some do come up for sale via the public area and the members only area quite frequently. You can just register with the forum without joining the Series 2 club though, if you prefer.

For a £21 annual membership you can get an insurance discount and a discount with various suppliers including Richards chassis. 1970 Series 2A 88"

Thank-you!

Good luck with the hunt. If you get one, don't forget to show us  Pete

2010 Discovery 4 GS TDV6
2008 Defender 110 DCPU 2.4 TDCi
1972 Series III 88" 2.25P

Went to a Farm Sale yesterday, partly because there was a ' Series 11 109 safari type' as it was described. It had been dry stored for the past 20 years.
Needless to say that when we turned up there it was a 109 truck cab..............
However the body etc was straight and the chassis rusty, but an ideal truck if your happy with a 109 to fettle with.

It had a lot of interest.....
I walked away once the bidding passed £1500

So what did it go for?

£5000 !!!

Click image to enlarge

Have done 8 k in the last 12 months in her. Couldn't part with it, just love them. The more rat look the better. 1951 80" S1
1958 88" S2

Loving the Series!!! Makes me wish I'd kept my S3 comp car!!! 2014 110 2.2TDCi XS Station wagon
1971 Bowler Tomcat 88 4.2 V8 Auto