1960 Land Rover Series II 88''

Background:

The Series II was the first of the everlasting Land Rovers and the car that defined the marque worldwide. Say the two magic words Land Rover to almost anyone around the globe during the past 75 years and a Series model is what they picture.

Introduced in 1958, it replaced the original, extremely utilitarian Landie, adding a degree of comfort, weather protection and even more rugged go-anywhere ability, which made it such a hit with farmers, explorers, rescue and emergency services, the military and just about everyone else – from Princes to paupers – who needed a no-nonsense vehicle to do anything, anywhere, at any time.

The Series II was also the first to feature a choice of 88- or 109-inch wheelbases, which would go on to be used on Series Land Rover models right up until 1986, when the Series models were still sold alongside their coil-sprung successors.

The car:

First registered in 1960 this rare Series II 88” Hard Top Station Wagon stayed with its first owner until 2020, where it was acquired by its second and current keeper who commenced a four-year extensive restoration with no cost spared.

AVP 167 has been affectionally named “Ollie”, after Land Rover enthusiast Oliver Turner of Oxfordshire.

First delivered to Pye Green, Cannock on 19th August 1960, it spent its early life as a work horse, completing a remarkable 191,000 miles until it was placed in dry storage in 1986 - where it remained until the owners death in 2020.

The current owner fell in love with the car and its history and purchased ‘Ollie’ from his sofa whilst living in Hong Kong. He then engaged a Land Rover enthusiast, who completed a no-expense-spared, painstaking full restoration from August 2021 to February 2024, taking over 1,000 man-hours - and costing in excess of £40,000.

A full summary of the restoration is provided separately but in short it included:

• Richards galvanized chassis painted satin black
• Galvanized bulkhead, with all other galvanized parts being re-galvanized
• Full body preparation and professional re-spray
• All new seals and all new galvanized nuts and bolts
• Full engine rebuild (original block re-bored) with new pistons and rings, timing chain, tensioner, bearings, unleaded valves and seats, cylinder head refaced
• Front and rear axles fully stripped and refurbished with new bearings
• All gearbox seals and gaskets, clutch release bearing, clutch slave cylinder, clutch master cylinder and prop shafts
• New suspension and brakes throughout, along with new steering-link joints, track rods and track rod ends
• Completely re-wired with new wiring loom and control box
• Original Smiths dials refurbished

Supplied with every original MOT certificate and MOT check list until 1986 (when Ollie was taken off the road), insurance certificates dating back to the 1980s, extensive service and maintenance receipts throughout the 1970s and 1980s, original buff log book and a current V5C showing the current owner plus one previous, and the original owner’s manual along with other manuals and maintenance documentation.

In the words of our vendor, ‘In short, Ollie was completely stripped and re-built in concours condition using original parts where possible, machined parts where originals were not available and new parts where needed. Ollie has undergone one of the most full and sympathetic restorations possible and now wants for absolutely nothing. It has completed running-in miles since the completion of the restoration (less than 1,000) and is stored in a temperature-controlled facility as part of a collection.’

Summary:

This Land Rover Series II is presented in immaculate restored condition with just one previous owner and an extensively documented history. Opportunities to own an as-new Series Land Rover are rare - this is one not to be missed.

Seller: Private

Photos: Professional

Location: York