DuckSherminator
Member
- Posts
- 32
- Location
- Marburg, Germany
Hello guys,
I've already mentioned my Series 1 (incorrectly stating it was a '53, turns out it's a '52 after all, after checking with the DMV) on the forum, it has been sitting for many years...
My grandpa bought it in July 1975 and used it as a tractor pretty much to build his cabin in the Belgian Ardennes. It sat in the woods as pictured below (well, when I was a kid I figured taking the roof off would be a great idea) for over 25 years.
In 2018, with some help, I took it out of the woods to store in a dry place.
Even the Mrs got her hands dirty!
Given the steepness of the road to get out of the woods, the weight of my cousin's 110 wasn't gonna cut it, would've been pushed all the way down like a toy. So the local farmer gave us a hand.
A Land Rover rescuing another Land Rover.
Her spot since 2018.
And proof of how obsessed I am about this car... I literally remember the first time I sat on my dad's laps and went for a ride in the old Landy.
I mean, there's even plenty of drawings... Who knows, maybe they're worth something.
Now, the reason why I am doing an official presentation of this car today of all days is because SOMETHING'S HAPPENING! I just became a father, I have nowhere to take it a part, and what I have even less of now (because of the first point), is time. The guy who has been looking after the 110 for me is a buddy from school, and he's starting his own business soon. Turns out V8 swapping an old Series 1 is right up his alley!
Now, why a V8, might you ask... Well, the original engine is long gone. As in absent. Under the bonnet is an "Indenor" diesel engine, that's locked up since decades. The reasons behind the Rover V8 swap are simple:
- leave the few remaining original 2.0L engines for those who wish to do nut and bolt restorations
- have a usable car, that I will happily take on slightly longer trips
- the motor mounts are already gone, so why not?
- I love V8s and if I buy another car just to have one with a V8 inside, I'll be sleeping on the couch for a long time...
I would like to keep the body in its current condition. Every dent and scrath tell a story, and I don't want to erase that. Axles, brakes and suspension will all be improved to match the "performance" of the mighty Rover V8. Electrics will all be made to work as new (gauges, lights, and that's it on these!), seats will all be ordered from Exmoor, and while I'm at it a canvas top as well.
Something I wasn't considering a few yeatrs ago was safety. Or the lack thereof... I'll see what can be done.
Rust wise, I am not sure what kind of steel these were made of, but it's almost in a better condition than the 2005 110. It could also be that it spent most of it's life in the woods, avoiding road salt.
Dumb irons need replacing, rear cross member looks miles better than the one on the 110 (I could only see a tiny rust hole, but in general it looks healthy), just the bulkhead isn't great (windscreen seal area and foot wells in particular), but all this is actually fixable.
I hope that through this brief presentation you are able to understand how enthousiastic I am at the moment.
No update before June earliest... It's gonna be a LONG wait!
I've already mentioned my Series 1 (incorrectly stating it was a '53, turns out it's a '52 after all, after checking with the DMV) on the forum, it has been sitting for many years...
My grandpa bought it in July 1975 and used it as a tractor pretty much to build his cabin in the Belgian Ardennes. It sat in the woods as pictured below (well, when I was a kid I figured taking the roof off would be a great idea) for over 25 years.
In 2018, with some help, I took it out of the woods to store in a dry place.
Even the Mrs got her hands dirty!
Given the steepness of the road to get out of the woods, the weight of my cousin's 110 wasn't gonna cut it, would've been pushed all the way down like a toy. So the local farmer gave us a hand.
A Land Rover rescuing another Land Rover.
Her spot since 2018.
And proof of how obsessed I am about this car... I literally remember the first time I sat on my dad's laps and went for a ride in the old Landy.
I mean, there's even plenty of drawings... Who knows, maybe they're worth something.
Now, the reason why I am doing an official presentation of this car today of all days is because SOMETHING'S HAPPENING! I just became a father, I have nowhere to take it a part, and what I have even less of now (because of the first point), is time. The guy who has been looking after the 110 for me is a buddy from school, and he's starting his own business soon. Turns out V8 swapping an old Series 1 is right up his alley!
Now, why a V8, might you ask... Well, the original engine is long gone. As in absent. Under the bonnet is an "Indenor" diesel engine, that's locked up since decades. The reasons behind the Rover V8 swap are simple:
- leave the few remaining original 2.0L engines for those who wish to do nut and bolt restorations
- have a usable car, that I will happily take on slightly longer trips
- the motor mounts are already gone, so why not?
- I love V8s and if I buy another car just to have one with a V8 inside, I'll be sleeping on the couch for a long time...
I would like to keep the body in its current condition. Every dent and scrath tell a story, and I don't want to erase that. Axles, brakes and suspension will all be improved to match the "performance" of the mighty Rover V8. Electrics will all be made to work as new (gauges, lights, and that's it on these!), seats will all be ordered from Exmoor, and while I'm at it a canvas top as well.
Something I wasn't considering a few yeatrs ago was safety. Or the lack thereof... I'll see what can be done.
Rust wise, I am not sure what kind of steel these were made of, but it's almost in a better condition than the 2005 110. It could also be that it spent most of it's life in the woods, avoiding road salt.
Dumb irons need replacing, rear cross member looks miles better than the one on the 110 (I could only see a tiny rust hole, but in general it looks healthy), just the bulkhead isn't great (windscreen seal area and foot wells in particular), but all this is actually fixable.
I hope that through this brief presentation you are able to understand how enthousiastic I am at the moment.
No update before June earliest... It's gonna be a LONG wait!
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