Up for auction is my 1958 Series 1 88" SWB Land Rover. This is the last year of the Series 1's and many refer to the 1957/1958 model years as the best models of Series 1's made. I have had this Rover for about 3 years and it is time for me to let it go. I have too many vehicles right now and this is one that I can't keep.
This 88" came out of Burns, regon and it is an original left hand drive model. Yes, t came from the same place where the militia take over on the wildlife refuge was about a month ago. It was someone's ranch truck and it was used hard; my guess as a hunting truck. It has some dents and dings and someone painted it yellow/brown/black camo. It was originally Blue and you can still see traces of it in the engine compartment and a few other places on the exterior where the camp paint has faded. Someone might be able to remove the camo paint with some stripper and retrieve the original blue back.
It was originally an 88" Station Wagon but someone cut the original roof up and made it into a home made hideous pickup cab.....stupid people. It now has a regular hardtop on it with a drop down tailgate that was sourced from another Series 1 Rover. My intention was to put a "hood" (what the British call a canvas soft-top) on it but I never got around to it. Basically, he hardtop that is on it is to keep the weather out....or most of it anyways.
The Rover runs, rives, teers, nd stops and has had quite a few new parts installed. The brakes are all new but it is still a double pump to get it to stop. I think there is air in the lines but I don't have time to track it down.
Now on to the details:
The Good:-no rot original Rover. Frame only has surface rust. Bulkhead and floorboards are in great shape.-original 2.0L petrol engine (runs pretty decent)-NEW Exmoor "elephant hyde" Series 1 front seats all the way from England-7.50X16 Michelin XZL tires on 109" rims (5) with really good tread. The 5 original Series 1 rims are included with sale (no tires)-Front axle/swivels rebuilt with new Railko bushings. Ditched the original inferior and worn out cone/bushing setup.-New front and rear pinion seals-109" front brakes (11" with dual wheel cylinders per wheel compared to original 10" front)-All new brakes (all around) including: all new wheel cylinders, ew shoes, ew drums, ew hard brake lines along axles, ew rubber lines, nd new brake hardware.-New tie rod ends-New U-joint on rear driveshaft-Resealed transfer case-Rebuilt parking brake assembly (works great!)-Smiths style heater (not working and not wired up)
The Not So Good:-none of the electrical works; I take that back.... the headlights do work. The brake lights, urn signals, orn, eater, nd windshield wipers do not work.-Even though the brake system is all new, he brakes need a double pump to stop. Air in the front lines is my best guess. -Doors and hardtop will need all new seals; that is if you want to keep the hardtop on it. The hardtop is basically on it to keep most of the weather out. Personally, would go with a new canvas hood and framework or just run with no top in the Summer. -speedometer does not work; needs a cable. -trans and t-case cross-members are dented. As previously mentioned, believe this Rover was used as a hunting rig and it appears someone got it hung up on some rocks and they bent up the flimsy cross-members. This has no effect on driving or anything mechanical but they just don't look too pretty. -Exhaust: it needs an exhaust. It has a crappy exhaust that exits under the driver's door area. It also has an exhaust leak where the collector bolts to the manifold. In my opinion, he entire system needs replaced and it needs to exit at the rear of the vehicle like it did when it left the factory.
As mentioned, his is a running, riving, teering, nd mostly stopping Series 1 Rover. Top speed is about 45-50 mph. The engine fires right up with a little choke and it drives nice through all the gears. 4WD works great. Steering is decent with new tie rods but it still has a little play in it; fairly normal. Most of the mechanical is taken care of and most of the leaks are at bay. It's a Rover and of course it leaks but honestly not that bad. The rear diff leaks a few drops where the diff bolts to the housing. The rear main and/or oil pan leaks but not enough to worry about. The trans doesn't seem to leak and the t-case has recently been resealed so no leaks there...or not yet.
If you have read this far, thank you for your interest. This is a good clean honest surviving Series 1 Rover that needs a new loving home. I've put a few hundred miles on it over the past few summers mostly just putting it around town but it needs someone to take it the last mile to finish it off and use it more than I can. I have tried to the best of my ability to explain this Rover in full detail but I may have inadvertently forgotten something. Please ask questions if you are interested in it.
Also, lease ignore the 1 negative feedback that I received in the last six months on a stupid $15 part. The buyer didn't know what he was buying for his Toyota pickup and wanted me to refund his money and eat the shipping even though the auction said NO RETURNS. eBay won't retract his negative feedback.
The reserve is set at a reasonable price and lower than what I have into it.
As mentioned, lease ask questions. Thanks for looking.