My "trial" 110 station wagon

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steveyorks

Well-Known Member
Posts
827
Location
west yorks
A couple of months ago I got inflicted with a malady we all know which was a desire to once again become an owner of a green oval product. I have suffered before having had various series, 90's, a couple of Range Rovers and a couple of Discovery's and I thought I had it beat but no. Given a couple of daughters are now on the scene, one a teen and one who thinks she is a teen I thought I would go a little bigger and buy a 110. Looking at them on ebay etc was depressing, prices for station wagons were very high with traders listing all the optional extras they had such a low ratio transfer box and "big wheels". As the illness had caught me unawares I already had a family estate and a little two seater Z3 so my budget to get past she who must be obeyed was not as high as I would have liked. After looking at 90s and perching the kids in the back in sideways facing seats I eventually found a 1988 110 station wagon that was for sale privately. Not a cherished family car but belonging to a country estate worker so it was well used but obviously cared for. I could see it needed outriggers and had already had aback half of chassis but the bulkhead was ok and an impressive list of jobs done with receipts sealed the deal. Driving back after years away was alarming....I remember landy steering was vague but this was like the Queen Mary with half a turn before it responded.
There was also a lot of play in the drive train and a gentle clanking as it came to a halt, prop shaft UJs I thought.
I agreed with swmbo that the 2 seater would go if the landy turned out to be ok and it was booked into Sunderlands in Sowerby Bridge for a once over. This is a one man band garage in an old mill and James's main business is building off road racers but his welding is great and prices reasonable though there is a long waiting list to get in.
I spent a fair bit really getting it right, pretty much all the wear items in the steering were renewed, a front propshaft was needed ( old one was in a state!), new outriggers welded on, fuel pump tweaked, various bushes replaced and other stuff I cant remember but the transformation was amazing.
It had been fitted with Discovery 2 seats and while the front are very comfy I'm not too happy the backs are fitted right, for instance the backrest has no way of being locked in the upright so a standard back seat is on the cards.
It was a bit of a trial to see if a 110 would make a good everyday car for me, work is now closer to home and I don't use the car for work unlike previous jobs and facts that have put me off a landy as an everyday car.
 

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After a months running around we decided to go to the Lake district for a week with the two dogs and decided to take the landy. I have to say it was brilliant! It never put a foot wrong and was ideal for the narrow lanes where the height gave great views and made driving up the verge when required so easy. All in all we did over 500 miles with 30mpg and not having to even open the bonnet. Even the heater works! So many lovely landys up there as well as the workers and I once again enjoyed waving at fellow owners giving them the excuse to flash their led lights at me.
So I have clearly bought a good one although work continues to make it even better. And my thoughts are now on the lines of selling the estate car and having just a 110 station wagon, maybe a TD5.
 

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