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? All the same great 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 red paint is a cheerful
alternative to the usual tan or turquoise found on these machines,
and with a white 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 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 truck 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 spray-on
bedliner material for durability, the gauges are big and easy to
read (note that it's in Spanish, suggesting that this truck was
imported from South America), and the painted dash looks to be in
great 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 2.25-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 nicely detailed 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 the quality of the restoration was pretty darned good, because
even the paint on the inner fenders is smooth and shiny. Add in new
wiring and an oversized battery, and it'll practically start
underwater (not really). The chassis is quite clean, with the
exhaust tucked up into the frame for ground clearance, and gigantic
sealed U-joints on the front axle. Proper painted wheels and tall,
skinny off-road tires make the perfect combination.
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 best we've seen!