1966 Land Rover Series 2 Series IIa 2.0 Perkins turbo diesel

Summary:

Best vehicle I've ever owned, but a full time hobby

Faults:

Not a lot, but I'm constantly looking to replace and improve, so far:

Perkins turbo diesel conversion with fairy overdrive.

Galvanised chassis.

New bulkhead.

Canvas soft top.

Off road MT tyres.

Free wheeling hubs.

General Comments:

Fantastic! The best vehicle ever made. Beats standard new Defenders off road!

Will never sell it whilst I have two kidneys.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th June, 2007

1960 Land Rover Series 2 2.25 petrol

Summary:

Very basic, and hard work to drive, but a fantastic old workhorse

Faults:

Oil leaked from every possible place - it used to leave six different patches on the road wherever I parked it.

Two different road springs broke on different occasions - but that was probably due to my heavy use of it!

The radiator expired in impressive style with lots of steam and scalding water.

The clutch release fork broke up, leaving me unable to disengage the clutch - but the gearbox put up with clutch-less gear-changes until I had time to repair it.

General Comments:

This vehicle was two years older than me - and most of the faults were just due to old age (again like me)!

I got used to putting gear oil in six separate places - and then scraping it up off my drive again later.

It's an amazing vehicle for a home mechanic - everything is very basic, very accessible, and you can even sit up underneath it when the wheels are on the road!

Once you get used to what this old and basic vehicle is - it's absolutely brilliant. No modern 4X4 can beat its off-road ability - (except by electronic devices which do all the driving for you), and there's always another gear to change down into if you're towing a trailer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th January, 2006

27th Jan 2007, 07:52

Heh! like the old British saying, "if it doesn't leak, its empty!"

1966 Land Rover Series 2 A 2.25 petrol

Summary:

Get a good one and keep it forever

Faults:

Starting problems, when wet.

Electrics - due to DIY work.

Rust - failed MOT.

Hard water eventually blocked up the water cooling veins in the engine cooling system after 33 years.

Leaded 2 STAR!!

General Comments:

Aluminum.

Positive earthed.

No plastics.

Salt for icy UK roads ruins them.

Loads of headroom.

Excellent in snow and mud.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th February, 2001

23rd Feb 2005, 02:39

I wish to add to the comment regarding damp starting. Having driven mine in extremely harsh conditions and deep wading (where the fan blades have sprayed the distributor and engine with water) and not experienced any trouble running and starting, I would suggest that this is not a common fault. Perhaps a new HT leads, a refurb dizzy or electronic points might be the order of the day.

1970 Land Rover Series 2 IIA Station Wagon 2.25 petrol

Summary:

Jeep and Jap eaters

Faults:

Replaced original engine with a younger one from a younger vehicle because the main big end bearings "went", however the second engine was even more knackered than the first and "went" after about three months. Replaced second engine with a 2.5 petrol from a 90. Was most impressed - suddenly I was able to overtake boy-racers and really scare the pants off them.

Rear springs were knackered and replaced.

General Comments:

Land Rovers are the best vehicles in the world - they have so much scope for modifying and have always been the undisputed kings of their class despite competition from all round the world.

Mine was mainly standard and almost thirty years old but still beat off the competition off road. I miss it and will be getting another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th September, 2000

16th Dec 2000, 18:56

My dad had a Landy and I got it when I passed my test. Not the most comfortablt machine but fun and lots of street cred - boys were quietly impressed and, I think a little jealous as they got into their little 1.0 Fiestas!!!

11th Jan 2004, 09:56

That 28,000 documented miles has got to be 128,000!!!

2nd Jun 2005, 14:34

Yeah mate... 28 000? that's what it said on mine too, believe me, its 128000. stay up!

4th Oct 2009, 14:54

'Tricks' I can live with, but a Series 2A is NOT a toy. It is one of the best built machines ever. Many people (like myself) still use them for serious work. My Series 2A is my favorite vehicle and I use it for most occasions.