1971 Land Rover Other

SUV

2.25 litre gasoline

4 speed manual

Clear

Gasoline

Approximately 12 years ago this Land Rover was restored in southern California and then sold to a buyer in New Jersey. A few years later it returned to the West Coast and eventually to Ashland, Oregon. Three or so years ago the engine seized from lack of oil and the owner just parked it. Last year I bought it and started restoring it as a hobby.I bought a used, but recently rebuilt motor from Pangolin 4X4 and installed it along with a new clutch. Evidently the engine builder did not torque the heads a second time and the head gasket blew shortly after I got it running. No problem. Easy to do a head gasket on these and it did show that the engine looked nearly new inside. Now with a rebuilt Weber carburetor it is one of the strongest 2.25 petrol motors I have driven. It fires right up, with no smoke at startup, shifting or on overrun.This is the last year of the Land Rover Series 2A models and to many purists these are the best. While the transmissions are not synchronized in first or second (just double clutch) they are stronger than the later all-synchro gearboxes, the dash is all steel and the grill is galvanized rather than the later plastic. The transmission is the usual tractor-like, but strong gearbox and the transfer case is considered bulletproof. The power brakes work well and there are locking Warn hubs to disconnect the front axles for improved gas mileage.The window channels have been replaced with Genuine Land Rover items and there are latches on all the windows.All door seals have been replaced or are in excellent condition.There are brand new BritPart door panels in front and galvanized diamond plate on the rear door.The bulkhead has been covered with rubber undercoating (as has the battery tray) and the the underside of the hood (bonnet) has been coated with QuietCar - a sound deadening spray-on substance like Lizard Skin. There were no rust issues in either piece.The front shocks are new BritPart items.Rust is a common problem on Land Rovers used where they salt the roads and this one had three areas of rust: 1. the drivers side upper footwell, 2. small areas on either side of the main middle section of the the rear crossmember and 3. the inside of the left front frame horn. The footwell was cut out and fixed with a galvanized replacement panel from Rovers North. The small areas of rust on either side of the main rear crossmember were cut out and ⅛” plate steel welded in. The left frame horn rust was cut out and ⅛” plate welded in. All other parts of the frame and bulkhead appear absolutely sound.There is fresh polyurethane epoxy paint job by End To End Painting. I would call it a 7 out of 10 and that was the idea because this Land Rover was restored to be a daily driver and offroader and not a dismantled and then painted concours queen. I’ve owned Land Rovers for 24 years and found that when I made them too fancy I no longer used them and missed what makes them fun - going anywhere you want.The wiring has been replaced at some point with the correct color coded looms and is in excellent shape. The hazard lights are not hooked up because I could not find a schematic that shows how to wire them. The wires, however, appear to be all there. The lights, turn signals, side markers, etc. work and are quite bright. Even though the wiring is in excellent condition, I replaced many of the fittings to insure good connections and polished the fuse box connections and solenoid.While the wheels are in excellent condition, the tires are older and should be replaced. I left this choice to the buyer since everyone has different ideas of the tires they would prefer.When nuts and bolts were replaced, stainless steel was used.The seats are in excellent condition with only a dime sized tear in one seat bottom. A LaSalle replacement insulated headliner was used for the front seat section and the rear headliner is in good shape so I left it in place. The other LaSalle panels to replace the rear section are included.The rear seats are in good shape, but they do have some rust stains.The exhaust system is in good condition.Someone coated the narrow area right behind the seats with rubber undercoating which I have not messed with since it helps quiet any tools you might carry back there, but I think you could use lacquer thinner to remove it if you want.The mileage shows 2,985, but I have no idea what the actual number, even though the speedometer works fine.Note: There is a small dent on the passenger side front fender visible in the pictures.