1968 Land Rover 88" Series II A

This exemplar of the Series IIA’s charm and character hails from 1968 having been first registered in August of that year. This IIA is a diesel powered example in 88-inch pick up configuration and featuring the all-important Fairey overdrive. The Land Rover was supplied new by Barrett's of Canterbury and specified in the traditional Bronze Green so closely associated with earlier Series Land Rovers. 

Current owner Jeremy acquired the Land Rover in 2006 to become the 10th registered keeper to date. At that time the Land Rover was recording around 7,500 miles, thought to represent 107,500 miles. Today the odometer reads 8,142 miles with that 650-ish mile different accounting for some trailer towing duties around Jeremy’s smallholding. The Land Rover has only been used on private land during Jeremy’s tenure and was last MoT’d and taxed for road use in 2006. It is currently registered as SORN.

As such, we consider this Land Rover to be a promising project vehicle which will require a full safety check and recommissioning before road use. A 2008 MoT was failed due to some corrosion to the chassis rails and leaf spring mountings so these areas will require some investigation and, likely, some professional repair. Jeremy reports that the Land Rover was last running in March 2025 and is currently turning over but not firing. This could be indicative of an airlock in the fuel system or similar fuel starvation issue. With Series Land Rover parts accessibly priced and abundant this charming pickup represents an exciting and enticing winter project.
 

Finished in Land Rover Bronze Green this IIA looks like an absolute architype of legendary Land Rover longevity and ruggedness. Post World War Two restrictions on steel meant that the original Land Rovers were constructed from Birmabright aluminium-magnesium alloy. This substrate endured throughout Series Land Rover production and helps make the vehicles’ bodies impressively impervious to corrosion. Faded, flaking and hand patched paintwork aside, then, this Land Rover’s bodywork looks well preserved and even impressively free from major dents and dings.

The removeable pickup cab features a white painted roof panel and the 16-inch steel wheels are painted in traditional Limestone. It is fair to assume that all paintwork has seen better days and, to a lesser or greater extent, is likely flaking or faded. For many, however, this is optimum Series Land Rover presentation offering the next owner the choice between the existing and charming farmyard chic or a full respray.

A “razor edged” bonnet is fitted complete with a spare wheel mounting bracket and spare wheel and tyre in evidence. The signature IIA wire mesh radiator grill and “inboard” headlamps remain, likely, to the approval of Series connoisseurs.  Other notable features include front freewheeling hubs, rear mesh light guards and protective chequer plate panels to the wing tops. A rear tow hitch is fitted which is adjustable for height and is accompanied by single electrics. The front bumper also features a towing eye, maximising hauling options.
 

The interior of the Series IIA was never the last word in luxury or refinement and that was by design, of course. This IIA’s interior has clearly been well used but the originality quotient remains impressively high. The signature features are all here, not least the three abreast seating arrangement. The driver’s seat base has been replaced at some point with a “luxury” specification one (Land Rover code for modest bolsters and some box pleats) but the back rest looks to be an original square edged cushion. The two passenger perches are original square edged items. All the seats will require re-covering or replacing as each is in a varying degree of dishevelment. 

The IIA was notable for its centrally mounted British Jaeger instrumentation and that’s the case here. Interestingly the speedometer’s increments have been blanked out by a white band, possibly a requirement of an earlier application or use. The familiar red and yellow topped four wheel drive and transfer box levers are present and correct. The flat topped third ancillary lever belongs to the Fairey overdrive which can be deployed in both third and fourth gears.

The rear tub features twin vinyl covered bench seats along each side. Access is via a drop down tail gate and the floor and wheel arch steps are finished in a particularly rustic, domestic looking carpet.
 

This Series IIA features the erstwhile four cylinder, 2.25-litre diesel engine in later five bearing guise. In the years since its 1961 introduction this unit has become beloved for its enduring longevity and reliability if not its silky, sophisticated refinement. This example has had its original oil bath air filter replaced with a long life washable item. The overall condition looks reasonable with some corrosion to ancillaries noted. What can be seen of the bulkhead and inner panels look well preserved and original. The underside has not been photographed but it seems likely that some level of repairs may be needed based on the last MoT in 2008.

Any Land Rover aficionado will tell you that the presence of the Fairy overdrive offers a tangible boon to drivability. Its activation allows for more civilised cruising on A roads and a resulting reduction in both engine noise and fuel consumption. With second hand units now fetching over £1,000 and professionally reconditioned ones costing at least twice that, it is a desirable and valuable addition to any Series Land Rover.
 

This Land Rover comes with a small archive of paperwork. The current V5 Registration Document is present in the name of the owner. This classifies the Series IIA as an Historic Vehicle and, as such, MoT exempt and zero rated for vehicle excise duty in the UK. The remainder consists of three handwritten invoices all dating from 2006 and our own vehicle history report. This details the results of the last MoT in 2008 which should give some insight into some of the remedial works likely required.

The Land Rover was a success from the get-go in 1949, somewhat to the surprise of the Rover hierarchy. The Series IIA was Rover’s statement of intent to invest in and develop what had become the firm’s preeminent cash cow. The developments deployed enabled the Land Rover to truly conquer the world, soon being found in places as diverse and distant as Marlborough and Mumbai or Mayfair and Mombasa. A world beater in the truest sense. 

This example represents a superb opportunity for the next owner. It has much going for it – the bullet proof 2.25-litre, five bearing diesel engine, the later more robust gearbox, a seemingly sensible mileage to date and the all-important Fairey overdrive. The bodywork is actually better than it should perhaps be, and the interior could be very easily and cheaply transformed. Some remedial chassis work, and engine trouble shooting is inevitable but that should certainly be worthwhile and enjoyable work for anyone who knows their Series Land Rovers. A rare opportunity not to be missed.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £2,500 - £5,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Colyton, Devon. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.