Vehicle Description
These early Land Rovers are merely the latest formerly affordable
vehicles to suddenly skyrocket in value. So while you're looking at
the price tag on this 1968 Series IIA and wondering if it's a smart
bet, we'll recommend that you buy it and ride the wave, because
they're still going up and owning the best one we've ever seen can
only be considered a smart investment.
The look is as ubiquitous as the grazing gazelles on the plains of
Africa, and there's no place on the globe where a Land Rover hasn't
gone. Still the most perfectly designed machine for going places
man wasn't meant to be, the slab-sided Landie is a triumph of form
following function. Most of them are still in rough-and-tumble
condition, but this particular Series IIA Rover has enjoyed a
comprehensive restoration to a very high standard and it's likely
better than new in every way. Does that mean its dirty days are
over? That's up to you. But we will say that if you appreciate the
utility these trucks offer, this one will not disappoint. The paint
has the right gloss for the desert environment, and the flat panels
were designed to be simple to repair in the field, easy to spot in
tight quarters, and since they're aluminum, lightweight. Panel gaps
are pretty darned good, and they were indifferent at best when this
truck was new, so that's a definite improvement. Details like the
tow hooks on the bumpers, the headlights set into the grille, and
the roof rack make it seem like it's ready for an adventure, even
if it's just running up to the store.
It's plenty basic inside, but the brown vinyl suggests that someone
with a little style was in charge of selecting materials.
Three-abreast seating in front works in conjunction with four
buckets in back, which fold and stow for cargo. Yeah, seven people
in this truck, and nobody's going to feel pressed for space. It's
all brand new and it's all been expensively restored, including the
door cards, rubber floor mats, and basic controls. The gauges are
in the center of the dash to accommodate both left- and right-hand
drive, and the shifters in the center manage the 4-speed manual
transmission, 2-speed transfer case, and PTO that's a handy little
tool. The gauges and switches are neatly restored, the
weather-stripping is new, and this is probably as close to what a
new Land Rover felt like back in 1968.
It's not fast, but thanks to the fully rebuilt 2.25 liter
inline-four, it'll get you wherever you need to go if you've got
the time. Only a Sherpa can go more places and again, durability
and ease of maintenance were the goals. The block wears correct
green engine enamel and that elaborate air cleaner assembly is
designed for the dust of the desert and the high waters of the
Nile, keeping the Land Rover pushing forward under any conditions.
Check out how big the radiator is, the heavy-duty exhaust system
tucked up into the frame rails, and the oversized axles designed to
really handle the rough stuff. It's all been restored, so it rides
and handles as it should, and you'll be surprised how nimble it
feels, both on and off the pavement. Simple white painted steel
wheels are the right look and they carry pavement-friendly
245/70/16 radials that ride and handle far better than the original
lugs.
Is it expensive? Only compared to the inferior trucks out there.
Buying the best on a rising market is always a smart move, and if
you're in a position to make a move, you won't be disappointed with
any of this Land Rover's many virtues. Call today!
