Launched in 1958 at the Amsterdam Motor Show, the Series 2 Land Rover was tasked with improving on the iconic Series 1. It retained the original’s functional design, while adding a dash more style, comfort, practicality and a hugely upgraded petrol engine. Renowned as a robust, reliable and highly capable utility vehicle, whether you’re looking for a classic project, an expedition vehicle or a daily driver, the Series 2 covers all the bases.
First registered in October 1962, this vehicle has always been UK-based. Previous to the current owner, the vehicle spent some years down south, having been sold in May 1991 by the Four Wheel Drive Centre in London.
The current owner purchased it in July 2015 and used it as family transport – taking the kids and dogs out on trips and generally enjoying the all-round ability it offers. They have not used it for serious off-reading or green-laning. Sadly, it is now surplus to requirements, which is why they’ve reluctantly decided to move it on to a new owner.
Since purchasing the vehicle in 2015, the owner has carried out a number of servicing and maintenance jobs (outlined later in this listing) to ensure the vehicle was in good condition.
Although the car is MOT and Road Tax exempt, the owner has sensibly maintained the MOT status, which is valid until the end of July 2022. A number of previous MOTs are present, dating back to 1989, which confirm the car’s low mileage. In fact, since registration, it has averaged less than 1,700 miles a year.
As well as the MOT certificates and V5, there is a good file of receipts, recording the maintenance and servicing of the vehicle back into the early 1990s. From basic servicing to brake reconditioning, the fitting of new seats, new tyres and new elements for the car’s electrical system, it’s clear from the paperwork that the car has been well maintained mechanically.
The Land Rover S2 is a proper utility vehicle, and this is reflected in the interior, which is simple and basic but very practical. In 2015, the owner had new black vinyl front seats fitted, while the two rear fold-down seats were fitted by Old Forge Garage in Lincoln (an independent specialist) in 2017. At the same time, new rear and front seat belts were flitted. Since then, the vehicle has covered less than 300 miles, so all of the seats really are in very good condition. Also present in the cabin is a passenger side bench seat, a full size spare wheel on the driver’s side, and fitted rubber mats in the front foot-wells, all in very good condition.
This vehicle requires some restoration internally if you want to bring it back to a very good condition overall, but everything does work as it should and seems very solid. All in all, the car is in better condition than many much newer Land Rovers and is certainly in more than reasonable condition internally for a utility vehicle that is now almost 60 years old.
As a side note, a special mention has to go out to the font on the speedo, which is pure 60s and we absolutely adore. It’s a tiny detail, but one of those things that gives the car its character,
Styled by David Bache – who worked on the original Range Rover and the SD1 – the Series 2 is a handsome machine that softens the utilitarian styling of the Series 1, while retaining the rough-and-tumble, go-anywhere looks.
This is a desirable early model, with the headlights in the grille, as opposed to the Series 2a, which repositioned them to the wings. It’s also in what we think is one of the best colour combinations – limestone roof and steel wheels over traditional Land Rover blue paintwork.Everything externally is in very original condition and the car wears its years with pride. It’s a straight, solid, honest vehicle. The fact that the practical, workhorse styling has been maintained is definitely a plus-point in our book. The external trim - lights, bumpers and mud flaps, are all in good condition for the age. Both the doors, as well as the classic split tailgate, look to be in good condition too. At some point, spotlights have been fitted to the A-pillars, perfect for helping you get your tent up in the middle of nowhere at night. At the rear, a tow-hitch has also been fitted and is in good condition.
Naturally, there are marks, scuffs, scratches and areas of dull/faded paintwork, but this is to be expected from a 60 year old vehicle that has been well-loved and used but is unrestored and original. We actually prefer it that way, the exterior really tells the story of this car. There are no major issues or damage, just a lovely patina that you really can’t fake.
Underneath, the car is nice and straight. There is some surface corrosion as you’d expect, but nothing we could see would cause us any concern, it presents as a solid, honest vehicle.
Mechanically, the car has been well cared for. The paperwork confirms that the current MOT runs to the end of July 2022, which gives real confidence in the basic mechanical aspects of the vehicle.
We are assured by the owner that the car drives very well, with the classic 2,286 4-cylinder petrol engine running smoothly and the high / low range box working as it should. While the car has been in the current owner’s care, quite a lot of mechanical work has been carried out. This includes:
2016: 4x new Avon tyres fitted (at 96,483 miles) and a full service carried out (at 97,444 miles)
2017: New fuel tank fitted, floor pans modified to allow for the new tank, brakes reconditioned
2018: New clutch slave cylinder, new starter solenoid, new exhaust
2021: New dynamo and voltage regulator
In terms of braking and suspension, the car is factory-spec, with drum brakes all round and held-elliptic springs. The owner tells us the car rides and stops well, and to our eyes the suspension looked solid, if in need of a little TLC.
It should be remembered that this is a 60 year old vehicle, so there will be mechanical maintenance required. However, the market for vintage Land Rovers is huge, so spares and specialists are not an issue at all, being widely available. Add to this the fact that they’re designed to be easy to work on, and you have a car that should be simple to maintain for many years to come.
Ask someone to name an off-road vehicle and the chances are they’ll say “Land Rover”. The brand is synonymous with off-road vehicles and the Series 2 is probably the best known and most highly regarded vehicle they made. Wherever you go in the world, however desolate, swampy, mountainous or heavily forested the terrain is, there’ll probably be a Series 2 knocking about somewhere.
There’s a good reason for that: they’re remarkably robust, simple to work on and extremely capable. Whether you want a proper utility vehicle, a car for some serious adventuring, or simply a fun classic that’s easy to work on yourself, the Series 2 is the perfect starting point.
This one has been really well loved. Yes, it wears its age on its sleeve - this is by no means a show car or trailer queen - but it’s an honest, solid, straight vehicle. All of the required maintenance has been carried out, as well as some pre-emptive work, and although it’s a historic vehicle the owner has kept up the MOT to ensure the car is roadworthy.
We think this car has wonderful potential. If you want a base for a full restoration project, you wan’t find many Series 2s as original and solid as this. The new seats and belts are a real bonus too, making the car that little bit more practical and comfortable to use day-to-day. If it was up to us though, we’d sympathetically restore it. With some light mechanical work underneath, a bit of restoration inside the cabin, and the exterior pretty much left as it is with that lovely patina that’s been built up over six decades, we reckon this could be the perfect Series 2. It just needs an owner that will love it and care for it in the way it deserves – it’s a great survivor and deserves to be here in another 60 years.
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1962 Land Rover Series 2 109” Hardtop
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