Vehicle Description
If you travel to the most remote, hostile places on earth, this
1965 Land Rover Series IIA is probably how you'll get there. Famous
for going where other vehicles fear to tread, the brutally simple
and utterly reliable Land Rover is your best bet when you're miles
from civilization.
Nothing says adventure like that multi-window hard top and
slab-sided bodywork. Iconic? Yep. Every safari show you've ever
watched has one of these in the background, right? So you know what
we're talking about here. But what you may not know is that not all
Land Rovers were bashed to death in some jungle adventure. This
one's aluminum flanks (yes, they were all made of aluminum to save
weight) are in great condition, showing no signs of major off-road
abuse or being battered by an angry rhinoceros. This one is a
hard-to-find North American spec (yes, we know there are no
rhinoceroses in North America), so no need for any KPH-to-MPH
conversions on the fly, and the steering wheel is on the CORRECT
side. The Series II kept the headlights in their traditional center
grille location, giving it that distinctive look that has been
famous around the world for decades. The paint is a proper red that
neatly reproduces the original stuff, which was a nice upgrade over
the army surplus shades you see on most of these. It shows a few
signs of use, but then again, a Land Rover without a few battle
scars is like a 5-star general without any medals.
Inside, accommodations are spartan because luxury was a luxury you
couldn't afford in the middle of nowhere. Reliability was
paramount, and as a result, the interiors were made of durable,
easy-to-maintain materials that would wear like iron. All the
necessities are there, including a wide front bench that'll carry
three across and a full array of instruments that are as close to
universal as you're going to find. It's basic, don't get me wrong,
so don't get in expecting a plush Range Rover experience, but if
you're a fan of adventure and going places without roads, you'll
definitely appreciate the no-nonsense approach. The entire interior
has been restored to factory specs, including the gauges with a
speedometer that reads in MPH. The rear compartment will
accommodate perhaps four passengers or a ton of cargo, and shows
light wear, but it's definitely ready for more fun. Even the roof
remains in great shape, having never been baked in the Serengeti
and it includes sliding windows for the cargo area.
The 2.25 liter inline 4 engine won't win any drag races, but for
rock climbing and severe duty, it's all about durability and
gearing, and this engine excels. It's also relatively efficient and
easy to service under all conditions. These trucks can go a million
miles, so it's barely broken in yet and looks great with all its
heavy-duty filters and giant radiator up front. The 4-speed manual
is easy to use, and the 4-wheel-drive system is arguably the
world's best, giving the Land Rover the traction of a mountain
goat. The frame is grossly over-built and the original hardware
remains intact to give you the genuine experience, all maintained
to a high standard. Even the factory-issue steel wheels wear tall,
skinny 215/18/16 off-roading tires, capturing the look
perfectly.
Clean Land Rovers are none too easy to find, and if adventure is
your game, this is your ride. Call today!
