Aside from the Mini, it’s tough to think of a car as significant to British motoring history as the Land Rover. It’s such an icon that, under various brands, it remained in production for 67 years. Even once retired, Land Rover brought the name “Defender” back for a new vehicle inspired by the first, and work began on a rival version more in the image of the original.
Rover’s Maurice Wilks created the original Land Rover as a British version of the American Willys Jeep. It wasn’t intended to last long, just long enough to get production restarted on the car lines after the Rover factory had been bombed during WW2.
However the Land Rover proved popular and far more enduring than expected. A decade after the original model debuted, Rover introduced the larger second generation - Series II - in 1958. The S2 was five inches wider and two inches longer than the original car and effectively cemented the form that the Series and later Defender models would follow for over half a century.
Since its original registration in November 1959, the history of this S2 is a little hard to pin down, however the seller tells us they purchased the vehicle from a gentleman in Stirlingshire. He himself purchased it from the daughter of the main owner of the vehicles life; a Crofter up in Aberdeenshire. It was used as the farm workhorse before they de-crofted, subjecting the Land Rover to spend most of its time in the farm barn, occasionally being used to collect logs etc. When he passed away, his daughter sold it and delivered it from Aberdeenshire to Stirlingshire. After taking it to a garage to get it checked over, they were happy to find it was deemed "safe enough" for road use however, it sat for a couple of years in a yard before the current owner was able to purchase it, and it has since spent its time garaged.
As can be common with Land Rovers of this vintage, the paperwork binder is on the light side. These aren’t cars that were bought new and driven daily on the roads, with regular services and main dealer maintenance, rather they were put to work and may not have ever seen a paved surface.
In fact, you’ll only find the V5C for the current keeper. Even the electronic paper trail is thin: there’s no recorded MOT for this Land Rover. Of course, the age of this vehicle means it does not require an MOT, so this wouldn’t be a consideration for any new owner who wishes to take it onto the public roads.
The pickup-bodied S2 was only available in a two-door, and that means there’s not a lot of cabin to see. It’s a relatively plain, three-seat affair with almost none of the creature comforts you’d see on a more modern vehicle - aside from a heater.
As a whole it’s in remarkably good condition and retains all the atmosphere of the original car. There’s no plastic panels or soft-touch fabrics, just plain, painted metal onto which all the vital components are screwed or riveted. We can only spot two non-original items in view in the cabin, with some new rubber floor mats, and embossing tape labels for some vehicle controls.
The seats themselves are all in good condition, with no marks or tears on the base or seat backs. They fold forward without fuss to reveal the seat belts - likely added - and the original crank handle; this is no longer necessary to start the petrol engine, but it’s a nice piece of original equipment.
This S2 sports a classic dark green exterior paint job, one of the most iconic colours for the vehicle. Although it’s not clear how extensive the restoration was, the paint looks better than new and it’s of a consistent quality across the whole car. It’s far from a modern, glass-like finish, so it also retains the authenticity of a Land Rover of this era.
Likewise, the panels beneath the paint bear some classic Land Rover imperfections. There’s a few additional bumps here and there - one by the nearside front indicator, and one ahead of the driver’s door - but they’re to be expected and hardly out of character. The glass is all in good condition, free from any cracks or chips, as are the four cream-coloured wheels. All of the vehicle lighting is as it should be too.
At the rear, the pick up bed is also in good condition. There’s no frills here; it’s clearly a space meant for bales of hay, or sheepdogs, but it doesn’t bear any scars from hard work. You’ll also find a frame, and loops, for a canvas top. This vehicle will also come with 2 canvas tilts, one that it came with, and a spare to use for replacement sections if desired. There are also 2 spare wheels and a host of other spares. The seller has said that if they removed anything original that could be serviceable, then they have kept it, and it is included with the sale.
Underneath, the Land Rover is in generally good condition. It’s clearly lived a life, and it’s not a car for the concours, but there are no signs of leaks, splits, or damage.
The original Land Rover engine - a 72hp, 2.25-litre petrol engine - starts up first time without any fuss. It ticks over and revs without any drama; there’s no hunting for revs, and no additional noises beyond what you’d expect from a petrol engine designed in the 1950s.
The seller tells us they have done a lot of work to the vehicle, with the main aim of keeping it as original as possible but still reliable and useable. All the mechanical work has been done to a high standard, and the only thing left they would consider doing would be to fit a new wiring loom. Having said that though, all the electrics work as they should. The work has been carried out by the seller himself, a mechanic friend and friend of the family who works solely on Land Rovers and 4x4's. He served his time on this era of Land Rover and is a well respected mechanic. It was however, all done on a casual basis. The car also has its original Smiths Heater, as well as Fairey free wheeling hubs... Both working as they should.
During driving and manoeuvres on rough terrain, we couldn’t pick up any concerning sounds either. The steering, suspension, and gearbox all behaved as they ought with no struggles or undue squeaking.
This Series II gives you the chance to experience true, classic Land Rover motoring. It’s a well-preserved, well-maintained, and almost totally original version of the design that was essentially the final form of the Land Rover Series and Defender from its introduction in 1958 through to the end of production in 2016.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
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NO RESERVE! - 1959 Land Rover Series II 109 Pickup
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