Vehicle Description
The original Land Rovers were go-anywhere vehicles that were light
and easy to maneuver. But if you needed something a little more
substantial to move serious cargo, they had you covered with trucks
like this 1969 Land Rover Series II 109 pickup. Kind of like a 9/8
scale Landie, it offers more power from a six-cylinder engine, a
beefier frame, and a bigger bed, all with the same go-anywhere Land
Rover utility.
Restored about four years ago, this British-built Land Rover pickup
looks just about right in its original blue livery. Not too perfect
that you'd be scared to drive it (they weren't perfect when they
were new, after all), it's ideal for heading out into the
wilderness to get some work done, are for traversing the concrete
jungle. Think of the stir you'll create at the local Home Depot
when you start sliding your supplies into the big bed, which
includes a set of seats with vinyl pads. Either way, this truck
knows what it's doing. You can see the exposed rivets used in its
construction, and the aluminum skin remains in great condition with
no major issues. The cream-colored top matches the wheels and
offers a bit of contrast, and seriously, is there anything cooler
than just strapping your spare tire to the hood? Totally
functional. The bed is protected by a spray-in bedliner and you get
a mesh grille guard up front on the familiar Land Rover face.
Yes, it's basic inside, but that's purely the point, isn't it?
Three-abreast seating is cozy but functional, as long as the driver
has access to all the levers in the center that control the
transfer case and PTO. About the only concession to comfort is the
padded steering wheel, which carries an original Land Rover horn
button, while the rest is purely form following function. The
gauges are in the center of the dash to accommodate both left- and
right-hand drive models and the heater box is literally a box with
a fan on the back. The windows all slide or tilt to offer better
than expected ventilation inside and the restoration was thorough
enough to ensure that all the switches, knobs, and gauges look
their best.
While most Land Rovers received a little 4-banger, this slightly
larger sibling gets a burly 2.6 liter inline-6 that's all about
torque. Still built with the worst conditions in mind, it's got a
heavy-duty air cleaner feeding the side-draft carburetor, a giant
radiator up front, and an easy-to-service demeanor that's critical
in remote places. You'll also find power brakes, which are
surprisingly effective, and a great-sounding single exhaust gives
it a suitably trucky voice. It's clean and orderly under the hood,
showing signs of correct maintenance, but there's no need to chase
perfection here, as this truck really wants to get dirty in the
mud, not shine on a show field. It's built for action with a rugged
boxed ladder frame, heavy-duty axles front and rear, a 2-speed
transfer case behind the 4-speed manual gearbox, and plenty of
ground clearance. The exhaust system tucks up neatly in the frame,
as does the gas tank; obviously these Land Rover guys know a thing
or two about surviving in the rough. And it just wouldn't be a Land
Rover without the plain-Jane painted steel wheels and tall, skinny
7.50-16 off-road tires.
When was the last time you saw one of these? Now imagine the fun
you can have not only playing in the dirt, but actually using it as
intended. You know, as a truck! Call now!
