Vehicle Description
You're already familiar with the usual Land Rover wagons, but when
was the last time you saw a pickup like this 1966 Land Rover Series
IIA SW? All the same legendary utility, reliability, and
go-anywhere traction, now in a pickup version with all the cargo
space you'll need.
We'll admit we're suckers for the form-follows-function look of the
early Land Rovers. There's something insanely appealing about these
purpose-built trucks and aside from a mountain goat, there's still
nothing that climbs rough terrain better. The Land Rover pickup
truck is a very rare find that will definitely be the only one at
the next off-road gathering or cruise night, and we suspect Landie
fans like it that way. The bright Sand paint is a cheerful
alternative to the usual dark green or turquoise found on these
machines, and with a matching top, it takes on a jaunty, friendly
demeanor that's at home almost anyplace. The finish is decent, just
the way you want it for a vehicle that's going to play in the dirt,
not too perfect but good enough to show up anywhere with pride. The
top is removable, creating a cool 2-seater, although you could
probably count the padded wheel housings in the bed as benches, as
in the wagon. Either way, this sucker's got a very cool look. The
seriousness of intent is more than amply demonstrated by the
hood-mounted spare tire, grille guard, and multiple tow hooks, grab
handles, and hitches all over the back of the truck. This Landie is
all about getting the job done.
Basic is the word inside, where you technically have room for three
across, but with the center-mounted shifter for the 4-speed manual
transmission, that guy in the middle isn't going to be comfortable
for a long-distance trip. However, the black vinyl upholstery is in
great shape and all the hardware is dedicated to going anywhere
under the worst conditions. The floors are covered in heavy-duty
vinyl matting material for durability, the factory black-faced
Jaeger gauges are big and easy to read, the heater works great, and
the painted dash looks to be in very solid shape. There are
separate knobs for the PTO (power take-off) and transfer case, and
you can tell that there's nothing in this truck that doesn't serve
a purpose. It's the ultimate in functional fun.
The modest 2.4-liter inline-4 is all about reliability and you've
already seen these trucks in the most remote parts of the world, so
that claim holds up under scrutiny. Its performance is modest but
it will get you there, no matter what. It's factory-spec under the
hood, with a correct heavy-duty air cleaner, gigantic radiator
(remember these were also used as stationary power units with the
PTO), and simple downdraft carburetor. Both the brakes and the
clutch seem to have been updated at some point, and you can see
that this Landie has always been well-cared for, because even the
paint on the inner fenders is free of any major issues. Add in
factory wiring and an oversized battery, and it'll practically
start underwater (not likely, although it's been known to happen in
a Landie). The chassis is quite clean, with the new exhaust tucked
up into the frame for ground clearance, and gigantic sealed
U-joints on the front axle. Proper painted wheels and tall, skinny
7.00-15 off-road tires make the perfect combination that finish off
this rare truck perfectly.
Don't look now, but these are red-hot collectors' items and they
remain fun trucks that are still eminently useful. Call today for
one of the coolest we've seen in a very long time!
