Just bought a 60 year old 107" and about to drive it 1000 mi home...any tips?

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2pintsplease

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As the title suggests, I have just surpassed my previous experience with vintage Landys (a 1971 IIA) with the purchase of a 1954 107" pickup (#47260168, making it the 168th 107" Landy for RHD export).

Here she is in all her glory: Land Rover Other Series 1 107 1954 | Trade Me

Me and my girlfriend will be driving her at full steam from Christchurch to Auckland next week. We'll be taking the back roads to avoid driving everyone else crazy as we putt along at 30-40mph. That will mean over 1,500km of mountains, hairpins, and bone-shattering corrugated roads, as well as the terror of self-righteous Wellington bus drivers and the occasional drunk truckie....:eek:

Any ideas what we should do to prepare ourselves? Bear in mind we are flying down so can't take too much gear (but will buy essentials in Christchurch). I'm looking for specific Series 1 quirks that may not occur to a former Series 2A owner.
 
That looks in very good condition for its age.
Depends on how it has been looked after but a set of points and some spare HT leads ,maybe some rad sealer in case its loosing water, some very fine wet and dry in case fuel pump contacts need cleaning.
Spare credit card as 1000mls is a lot of fuel would expect no more than 16MPG from a 107 with 2l engine.
Best I ever managed in an 86" with 1600 engine was 23MPG
 
One thing you must take.. plenty of photos.. this trip needs a full-on blog and I can't wait to read it! That's a great looking truck. Good luck! :)
 
wow that is absolutely gorgeous, what a find, don't know if that price is a bargain in nz but over here it certainly is. looks in superb condition

good luck with the trip.
 
i love that ute style wooden tray back afair going on with that series - very nice score - i envy your trip also - i did a similar trip by bicycle about 8 years ago on the back roads and mountain passes. awesome country you have !
 
2pintsplease said:
As the title suggests, I have just surpassed my previous experience with vintage Landys (a 1971 IIA) with the purchase of a 1954 107" pickup (#47260168, making it the 168th 107" Landy for RHD export).

Here she is in all her glory: Land Rover Other Series 1 107 1954 | Trade Me

Me and my girlfriend will be driving her at full steam from Christchurch to Auckland next week. We'll be taking the back roads to avoid driving everyone else crazy as we putt along at 30-40mph. That will mean over 1,500km of mountains, hairpins, and bone-shattering corrugated roads, as well as the terror of self-righteous Wellington bus drivers and the occasional drunk truckie....:eek:

Any ideas what we should do to prepare ourselves? Bear in mind we are flying down so can't take too much gear (but will buy essentials in Christchurch). I'm looking for specific Series 1 quirks that may not occur to a former Series 2A owner.
Click to expand...

Enjoy the trip! :) That looks like a great buy. If it has been stored for years a fluids change would be my preference before setting out, oils don't last for ever.

Some kind of back support might help. or the painkillers as Trewey suggested, the seats in those are pretty basic. That is of an age where leaf springs were supposed to be greased with graphite grease. doing this might make the ride (slightly) more comfortable. :D

Really wish I had bought that for that money, you don't see many cheap ones of them over here now! :(
 
Make sure you've got break down recovery..... Break down.... get recovered home in the comfort of a recovery truck with the old girl on the back - either that or enjoy the adventure and trust in the old girl to make it :)
 
What are the roads like...maybe some spare inner tubes...can you change your own tyres???

Lengths of wire are handy for strapping things up...the solid type of wire...gaffer tape...can be used to temp fix a split hose....

Good luck and keep use upto speed.

Nick.
 
Nice Landy :)

The top hose looks suspect and no battery - but I assume I'm stating the obvious.
Depending on how much it's been used, the hydraulics would be a concern to me.
Worth carrying some spare fluid.

Have fun. :)
 
You brave brave man, Im jealous :D Would love to do a good trip in my series along backroads and things but thats a little way off yet
 
Awesome, thanks for all the input folks.
Yes I have an AA Plus subscription, that covers me up to $1500 so as long as it breaks down in the North Island I won't have to pay a cent to get home.

Will also pack my socket set, vise grips, basic tools, some points and leads (fingers crosseed no issues with electrics or carb as I am only experienced with diesels apart from a brief and bitter fling with a Range Rover V8), emery paper, 20l jerry can and 20l water container, oil and Moreys, duct tape and of course it wouldn't be New Zealand without some Number 8 Wire!

I'll post some photos in the expeditions forum in a couple of weeks.

Looking forward to the adventure!
 
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