1966 Land Rover Series 1 - 3
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Year of manufacture1966
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Mileage4 000 mi / 6 438 km
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Car typeOther
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Lot number179
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Reference number127099_128042
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DriveRHD
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ConditionUsed
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Location
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Exterior colourOther
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GearboxManual
Description
"The Land Rover Series IIA is considered by many to be the hardiest Series model constructed. It is also quite possibly the model that features most strongly in the general public's perception of the Land Rover, from its many appearances in popular films and television documentaries set in Africa throughout the 1960s, such as Born Free. In February 1968, just a few months after its manufacturer had been subsumed, under government pressure, into the Leyland Motor Corporation, the Land Rover celebrated its twentieth birthday, with total production to date just short of 600,000, of which more than 70% had been exported.
This Series IIA was subject to a full 350 hour, ground-up, restoration in 2022 and has travelled less than 4,000 miles since. The brief was to create the cleanest series Land Rover that will hold its own but will also simply work. This meant engine, brakes, steering and electric components that were required to be reliable every time, a tall order in a car over 50 years old. The vehicle was reported to be very good before restoration, but like any unrestored 1966 Landover in needed attention. This included a new galvanised chassis, bulkhead and many panels – of course these are visible due to structural nature of a Series II Land Rover. Additionally, the engine was fully rebuilt along with all new suspension components. The owner was keen to use genuine or the highest quality parts throughout and the results both cosmetically and in the way the car drives are evident, this is detailed in a folder of restoration pictures that document the thorough work. Like all restorations, the cost of all the new parts and labour totalled considerably more than listed today and these vehicles are most definitely on the ascendancy. Our vendor states that due to the detailed and extensive restoration, the car drives better than when it would have left the factory. Meticulous attention to detail ensures everything works, the engine starts on the button with no smoke and it runs sweetly sitting happily at 65mph. The brakes work as they should, steering is good, and all lights, dials, switches and dash dials also work. The vehicle is MoT exempt and, of course, ULEZ compliant, it also has the benefit of being tax exempt, perfect for London driving however travel further afield and the four-wheel drive and low range engage, as they should.
A properly cool thing this…... It will just get cooler as the years pass! Enjoy the winter and plough through the snow to get some milk for the Nespresso machine and when the summer comes roll up the canvas and take the door tops off for those summer pub nights, or the beach with the hound and a cold beer. Two looks in one vehicle, hipster cool with a factory correct finish whichever picture you have in your mind. The photos really don't do this vehicle justice, it turns heads wherever it goes.
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