When purchased: July 2014
From: Private sale
Price: £9,999
Ext colour: Green
Int colour: Black
Engine: 2.2L, inline 4, naturally aspirated
Gearbox: Manual
What on earth is this doing in the collection, I hear you ask?
Good question. For some inexplicable reason in 2014 I wanted an old Land Rover. and not just any old ‘Landie’ - I wanted a short-wheelbase, canvas roof/convertible one, where I could remove the all the supporting metal struts (sticks), and the whole roof itself - even folding the windscreen down to create the ultimate chop-top SAS/Desert Rat utility vehicle.
And here it is. Bought from an enthusiast pilot in Bishop’s Waltham, this Series 2a is a beautiful example of what makes the Land Rover such a British institution. It’s reliable, it’s simple to maintain, and it drives like it’s on the limit even when you’re doing 20mph. Driving it through the lanes of Dorset and Hampshire it feels like you’re on safari, and it’s the perfect transportation to take clay pigeon shooting, or anywhere where the ground is likely to be a bit treacherous.
Yes it’s needed quite a bit of mechanical work. And yes the four wheel drive isn’t working at the moment. But it’s those little imperfections that keep a guy interested.