1968 Land Rover SERIES II A

This largely original petrol-engined Land Rover Series IIA SWB was first registered in February 1968, a year before the Series IIA’s headlamps moved outboard into the front of the wings. Notably this month marked the twentieth anniversary of Land Rover production during a period which also turned out to be the marque’s peak in terms of sales volume.

Covering what we believe is a genuine 90,000 miles across five decades and ten owners, this Landy has clearly seen some action. There is very little remaining history other than anecdotal but a vehicle like this needs to be judged on its current condition which is not perfect but pretty good.

Two owners ago (15-20 years back?) it was bought by a mechanic for his apprentice son as a project to rebuild a simple engine and get the vehicle up and running again. Then it was sold to a friend of the current owner through the Land Rover Orphanage in Kemble before transferring to the current owner and vendor.

In his ownership since July 2007, the Land Rover was used quite sparingly as a weekend plodabout, visiting country fairs and “taking the dogs to the pub”, and never putting many miles on it before it was taken off the road and put into dry storage due to ill health around 2011-12. He is now selling, along with a van, to buy a more modern Defender which he can use as a daily.

This is understood to be a very original vehicle - notably the engine, gearbox and chassis - and such originality is hard to find when Land Rovers are so easy to work on and modify or upgrade.

No one expects a Series Land Rover to be concours standard on the outside - it’s doubtful that they were even when they rolled out of the factory. Although there are many superb nut and bolt restorations out there which come close, such a pristine look is rather alien to the purpose of these vehicles. Keeping one clean and blemish-free would surely limit an enthusiastic owner’s enjoyment. Worry not, this one looks in good enough condition to still be a thing of functional beauty but sufficiently battle-worn to be used and abused with impunity.

The Deep Bronze Green bodywork is generally good, with the knocks, dents and touch ups you’d both expect and admire from an automotive life well-lived. All original external trims and appendages, such as the galvanised cappings and framing, hinges, catches, wing mirrors, badges, vents, lights and ‘inverted-T’ grille also seem to be present and in a reasonable condition. It looks like the tailgate has been replaced with an original - likely second hand - part with new hinges and stays.

The full-size spare wheel sits on top of the bonnet - where it truly belongs - giving this Landy a characteristic, purposeful look. Likewise wing-mirrors are correctly mounted on the wings rather than the doors. The faded khaki-coloured tilt looks original and appears in reasonable condition with just a couple of small holes, showing the patina and relaxation of its age. It suits the vehicle much better than a newer, stiffer canvas.

Although the steel wheels on civilian Land Rovers were usually a Limestone colour, Bronze Green vehicles often had them painted to match the bodywork giving them a faintly militaristic look which rather suits. They are fitted with Deestone Extra Traction tyres, which are good quality copies of the Goodyear Hi Miler Xtra Grip that used to be fitted to military spec Landies of the period. These tyres are fantastic off tarmac but you might consider a different tread pattern if most of your driving is going to be on road - unless of course you love the characteristic road noise like a Lancaster bomber’s propellers.

One of the key features of the Series Land Rovers is the almost total absence of interior trim. Inspired by the wartime Jeeps, the Land Rover was designed as a true utility vehicle that could be taken anywhere then hosed down inside and out to clean it.

The ultra-spartan dash looks mostly original, with a few newer screws and bolts securing the main instrument panel and an additional, slightly crude, plate on which an oil pressure gauge has been mounted. Such is the simplicity and versatility of these vehicles that making such modifications is commonplace.

The steering wheel too looks original but has had a lace-up leather cover applied. A non-original vehicle information plate has also been made up and riveted to the bulkhead. As can be also seen from the photographs, the vehicle’s original manually-operated analog air-conditioning system is fully functional!!

Those new to Series Landies will notice the abundance of centrally placed levers - a conventional black gear stick for selecting reverse or 4 forward gears (in either range), red knob to transfer drive between the low and high ratio gearboxes, yellow knob to select four-wheel-drive in high range (applied automatically in low ratio) and finally the handbrake which unlike most cars operates on the transmission rather than the wheels so should only be used when the vehicle is stationary.

The “Deluxe” style front row seats, rather more comfortable than the standard vinyl-covered foam squares, look in good order with no rips or tears. Fixed (non inertia-reel) three-point seatbelts have been fitted to the driver and main passenger seat but no lap-strap can be seen for the middle seat.

In the rear, the utility load space (no seats fitted) has a large ammunition box painted silver and bolted to the wheel arch for secure storage. The rubber floor mat looks in good order and the bodywork underneath appears sound. The internal frame for the canvas hood seems complete and in good condition.

Under the bonnet, which is made heavier by the spare wheel but thankfully supported by a substantial hinged prop, the engine bay is very simplistic. It presents like a textbook in basic mechanics with easy access to all components thanks to the empty space that nowadays would be computer-designed to be filled with all manner of electronics and modern ancillaries.

The paint around the engine bay is a lighter, less blue shade of green than the exterior bodywork which illustrates a similar degree of variation in “Bronze Green” as there is in “British Racing Green” on sports cars. Whilst most of what is on show presents in reasonable condition, there is a little corrosion evident to the framing of the bonnet underside.

Thanks to the amazing ground clearance of the Series Land Rovers, everything underneath is on show and easily photographed. There is nothing to hide, nor anywhere to hide it frankly, such is the simplicity underneath. Previous MOTs have highlighted corrosion to suspension mounting points and there are signs of previous repair but aside from surface rust to most of what’s underneath we cannot see anything of great concern (see History Highlights for MOT recommendation). The exhaust back box looks relatively new and in good condition.

Whilst you might be limiting your travel or social exposure at the moment, we would still encourage a personal inspection to see the vehicle’s condition for yourself. Certainly take some time to study the detailed photos in the gallery and then why not use the ‘Contact Seller’ option above to arrange a closer look or even a video call with the vendor to zoom in on the key features and general condition.

The vehicle has been well maintained by a local mechanic but the vendor has not retained any invoices or other paperwork as he never thought he’d want to sell. The electrics were converted from positive earth to negative earth recently and a new ignition system fitted.

The vehicle was off the road between 2012 and 2017 whereupon some remedial works were undertaken to address MOT faults of corrosion to suspension mounting points, renewal of ball-joints and servicing the brakes. Since that time it has covered fewer than 20 miles - presumably most of those being to and from the most recent MOT the following year.

That MOT expired in October last year and, although as an Historic Vehicle it is exempt, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it retested at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner and any subsequent purchasers but is also invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

According to the owner, the Land Rover starts first time, every time and runs very sweetly. It reportedly drives as expected like a Series Land Rover - that is to say a bit like jelly - but these vehicles have never been precision instruments so nothing is amiss here.

The new owner of this Series IIA SWB isn’t going to win at any shows, but who wants to be cleaning and polishing it when they could be grinding away in low-ratio out in the bondu or green-laning, getting muddy and picking up a few more trophy-dents with a mile-wide smile on their face?

So what will a smile like that cost you? Prices for Series Land Rovers vary greatly, largely on condition rather than any kind of rarity as it is reckoned that 70% of all such vehicles are still going. By no means the worst out there, and equally not a show-pony, we think this very usable and honest IIA will sell for between £10,000 and £15,000.

Given that these older Land Rovers can be repaired and maintained by someone having only the most basic skills with an adjustable spanner and a pocketful of loose change, it makes them ideal for both first-time classic owners and marque enthusiasts alike. Factor in their rock-solid residuals, low cost of insurance and iconic classless status and you’ll be wondering why you haven’t already placed a bid.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Coalpit Heath, north-east of Bristol; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.