MOTOR CARS | 215- Petrol engine
- Unleaded conversion
• Overdrive fitted - From an important private collection
176
1963 LAND ROVER SERIES II 4X4
Registration no. HFO 364
Chassis no. 27100370A
0nspired by the <S Armys wartime Jeep, developed in haste and
intended for short-term, small-scale production, the Land Rover would
defy its creators initial scepticism. Rover bosses the Wilks brothers saw
the need for a tough, four-wheel-drive, utility vehicle to serve the needs of
the agricultural community in the immediate post-war years, but the Land
Rover's runaway success took the company by surprise. The necessity
of using corrosion resistant aluminium panels at a time of severe steel
shortage turned into a positive virtue in the Land Rover's sphere of
operations, and the use of existing components - including the P3
saloon's engine - kept production costs down and cut development time.
Some ten years after the original's introduction it was felt that the time
had come to update the Land Rover's somewhat primitive slab-sided
styling. The result was the Series II, which featured the more rounded
sides that continue to characterise the Land Rover today. Introduced in
1958, the Series II was available with either the 2,286cc petrol engine or
the newly developed 2,052cc diesel first seen in 195 on what became
known retrospectively as the 'Series I'.
By this time the original permanent four-wheel drive freewheel
transmission had been superseded by the more conventional selectable
two- or four-wheel drive arrangement, with a set of low ratios available if
required with the latter option selected. The Series II's arrival also marked
the standardisation of only two different wheelbase lengths - and
109" - the Series I's 107" option being dropped. The chief development
on the Series IIA was a much improved diesel engine.This Series IIA Land Rover on the 88" wheelbase has the 2,286cc
petrol engine, which benefits from an unleaded conversion, though it
is not known whether or not it is original to the vehicle. The vehicle has
been treated to a full repaint in correct Land Rover Mid Grey by Halo
Land Rover, and further benefits from conversion to alternator electrics.
It also boasts the considerable convenience of an overdrive for lower
fuel consumption and more relaxed cruising. Original road wheels are
fitted, and shod with appropriate tyres. Purchased at auction in 2011,
'HFO 364' has formed part of an important private collection since
then" well maintained and ready to use, it is offered with current MoT
and a V5C document.
£14,000 - 18,000
€16,000 - 21,000