I couldn't resist and I bought one today. Is there any owner here? I just know a Little about these old cars and I know nobody to ask...
There might be, but there is just across the road: http://www.spiritburner.com/fusion/showpost.php?post/269386/
As I recall the ones I used to drive generally made around 20 miles per gallon at best and if you tried you could get that down to around 12. Fist and second gears are crash type so you will need to learn how to double de-clutch to change down. Great fun to drive but noisy and cold in winter. ::Neil::
I'll try! But I bought it just for fun. I already did it! My father used to be driver during WWII and he teached us to do doublé de-clutch even for synchromesh gear boxes. !!!
I'm predominantly Series 3 with a couple of 2A's and a 2, but I'll happily advise on the older beasties. Good man! Pictures please. Join the S1 club forum, a wealth of information. There are a few parts peculiar to the S1's which are getting hard to obtain, but the forum will keep you right. Alec.
Yes, I guess I will join the Series 1 club; I could have a virtual tour today and it seems very nice. Here there are some pics. There is a lot of work to do but it is complete and it works and I have no hurry... I have a first question. It is supposed that the body was made of Birmabright, an alu-magnesium alloy, but the front wings are made of steel, as the front panel as well. So is it right? Could it be possible for export versions? Thank you.
Hi ! Your landrover looks great ,just remember its about 58 years old and still surviving somehow ! Various parts have been changed on your vehicle and I guess spares in your country are hard to source so , just remember your driving around in a " Series One Landrover " possibly the best invention going and every one wanted one from our Queen downwards ! and sold the world over . Mick
I was sure that someone has old land rover here Those are nice little vehicles. I have SIIA 109 (restoration in progress)
Sorry Mick, but I've never, ever had the slightest inclination to own a Landrover of any sort, so I must be the exception that proves your rule! I'm sure there are benefits to owning one in the right circumstances but for me they're outweighed by the disadvantages - crude, ugly, noisy, dirty, smelly, uncomfortable, cold, fuel inefficient etc. Maybe me and the Landrover were just never meant to be...
I don't want one either, but did at one time. Even so, I like them - the earlier ones that is. But I also like AEC Matador's too. Chap offering one for sale (short wheelbase hardtop, a later series) claimed an average of 37mpg with the diesel engine, and over a long trip from Scotland through England and well into France. My ex-Brother-in-law had a series 1, but I don't recall the fuel consumption. Another pal had an Austin Champ for a while, Rolls Royce petrol engine that had a secondary generator that cut in at low rpm. This was a 'wireless' Champ and the second generator was to supply current for the extra wireless equipment IIRC. Suffered badly with fuel consumption though, seldom more than 9mpg around town - about what a double deck bus would do. The Champ had the same number of gears in reverse as in ahead, the 'reverse' lever was separate and simply changed the direction of the gearbox output shaft. Heavy beast at around 2.5 ton. Love'em or leave'em. Edited to add: That's a tidy looking beast Juan. Looks like someone has replaced the drop down half tailgate for a side door.
In the early 1950's (I think '52 or '53 but not 100% sure) these were made in Belgium under licence by a company in Antwerp. In the very early days of car production this company was nicknamed "the Belgian Rolls Royce" because of the high build quality. These cars were known under the MINERVA name. Some of the very first armoured cars used in 1914 were build on a Minerva chassis. Anyway, back to the 1950's! The Minerva version of the first Landrovers used the mechanical parts of the original, and the body was built using steel, not aluminium. They were replaced by the Iltis in the early 1980's. The Belgian army did use later Landrovers, but due to reasons you'd never believe these were a special series, having rear drive ONLY! So, NO 4 X 4! I was told many of the Minerva's were bought by UK enthousiasts, not because they liked the Minerva, but to dismantle them to keep their Mk1's going! Sacrilege! Vandals! The Belgian army also used the french Hotchkiss copy of the Willy's jeep. These are now sold as genuine WW2 Willy's . Best regards, Wim
A two wheel drive Land Rover Wim? Do tell, I can't find any reference. Nice piece on '50's Minerva's HERE.
Which ones. Mick? It seems complete to me, at least the body, engine, chassis, bumpers, etc. Yes, mirrors seems to be a latest addition but for the rest??? I also have got the original hard top and the four seats for the rear. Parts? I still don't know but a friend of mine told me that there is an importer for original Land Rover parts. Easily available? Surely not!
Found! Seems to have been made for use on tarmac, RAF, Army and Belgian Army use, the idea was to have saved in parts and maintenance. Front 'dead' axle. Live and learn.
Land Rover history from 1957, , quote: - "One of the strangest contracts issued was on the first of November 6/VEH/26222 was for 655 two wheel drive Land Rovers. They were for the Army to be used in a communication role and, as such, they only needed to be two wheel drive just like the Austin 10 Tillies (utilities) and similar vehicles which were at that time being used in such a role. They were even called ‘cars’ on their identification plates but, as the number required was small, they had the advantage of sharing spares with the rest of the fleet. They were delivered just as the year changed to 1958."
Hi ! Give me a clue ? are those bright yellow lamps on the front bumper to help you see in the dark or are they the front indicators ! Steering column below steering wheel looks a bit naked maybe the indiator switch is located some where else ! It does not matter what is right or wrong with your vehicle , its yours and hopefully it works. The hard top , it will be very noisy if the same as mine with bottom half opening down and top half with window opening upwards when fitted , so much so , that in the middle of winter I took it off and went back to the canvas tilt , much quieter ! mick
Have you no romance in your soul? Yes they are all of that but they are also just about the most fun you can have behind a wheel. I just loved tooling around in the two we had in the Water works in Birkenhead and then the "Airborn" type we used to shift a Scout troop to Wales for summer camp. Looks very good Juan and I am envious. ::Neil::
Ahhh...no, I know these and some others arer addition. I guessed you could see something else... as the wings, I suspect that are not original as they are made of steel Yes, the dash panel was completely modified, added a non original speedometer, a lot of non original switchs, etc. That are the things I want to know because I can work on them by myself... I like this answer, as I don't like the hard top and I was wonder if to buy a canvas cover would be a good idea. Not to do right as to restore the car will take a lot of time, but good avice indeed!! Thank you, Mick.
Yes, David, you are right but: I wont change my family's car for this one; the Peugeot 3008 is much more comfortable!!! and my friends here make similar comments about my liqid fueled lamps. Yes, Neil, I'm very happy with it! Thank you. Juan
Old land rovers are just like old lamps... there is better new items, but are they as fun & stylish. And are they better after all... can you fill accumulator lamp as easily as you fill new fuel to hurricane lamp in hike... Or can you change drive shaft to you new car easily... i can change it to my land rover with basic tools in 30 min
