Hi all,

I've recently bought a 1967 2.25 petrol series 2a. I'm planning on doing a full restoration on it, but was wondering which method would give both the most benefits and give a higher resale value.

I am considering either rebuilding it as close to factory as possible, or rebuilding the body as standard, but make major improvements to the chassis, gearbox and engine (electronic distributor, LED headlights, galvanised chassis, fully synchromeshed gearbox etc)


Based on your experience, which route would you recommend I go down?

Hi Thunderstruck -
Just opinion here - not really advice per se. I recently got a '70 Series IIA, and for me I am not thinking about resale because I love the car so much. Were I to buy a Rover and re-sell it - sort of flip the car, I think people do care about staying close to original too. Personally, I like the idea of keeping it as original as I can inside and out. I just had the gearbox replaced and was offered a Series III conversion with synchromesh, and I said no. I kind of like the challenge of double clutch the old school way, because that's the car and I have fun with it. I'm toying with the idea of electronic ignition, easy and inexpensive, but I also want to learn how to do the points and timing and such myself as a personal challenge. So I'm torn there. I do want to keep the outside close to original as I can. The real value I think is investing in operating condition, making sure everything works great, for yourself, and if you sell it. Galvanized chassis, for example, is great period. I wish you luck, and keep us posted on your progress.
-Mike

If you are looking at resale then keeping it original and potentially with matching numbers is going to be the way to go. The only exception to this would be galvanising the steel parts, eg chassis, bulkhead, front panel, this will add more value to the vehicle although not necessarily as much as they will have cost. Also with all of these you could repair and galv the originals rather than get replacements so it is still keeping originality but will now last longer. Depending on how long you are planning to keep it before resale will make a big difference to what you do. If you are planning on having it for a couple of years it is not worth re-chassising as you would never get the initial investment back, just repair and paint the current one. If you are planning on keeping to for 10 years before selling a new chassis will more than pay for itself even before resale.
If you do "modernise" it you will have to do so tastefully and discreetly and with an eye to anyone in the future being able to easily return it to original. Fitting a series 3 full syncro-mesh box is a subtle change, fitting LED lights is a criminal desecration of any series land rover!

Also it is difficult to quickly flip a series vehicle for a profit unless you do not do the jobs properly, use cheap parts, or get very very lucky with either the initial purchase or future buyer. The amount of work, time, and parts required to do it properly will be all add up to a significant investment. for example a friend just bought a non running series 3, cost him £750. Needed chassis and bulkhead repairs, brake and clutch overhauls, wiring (included a new loom), top end rebuild from a snapped cam belt (2.5na), paint job etc. So far I think he is into it for about 3.5k just in parts as we have done all the work ourselves and it is not yet finished. When it is complete the vehicle may on a good day be worth 4-5k but it will have cost him nearly that in parts and then many many hours of both our time on top.

I'm not sure its possble to restore a Series 2A or 3 for profit. It may be a lot of fun and very rewarding and you get a lovely vehicle to keep, but in terms of profit I jet wash, roller repaint and MOT would probably give you the same net profit as a full rebuilt, especially if you account for the hours worked. I think it the pictrue is worse when you look at up-grades. There are any number of really expeneive Series and Defenders on e-bay with loads of fancy extras, but see how many sell, most go for less than the parts cost, let alone the work.

Thank everyone for your advice. I definietely think I will go for originality. In terms of what I paid for it, I managed to get it for £1000 (I got it from a family friend). With it I got the land rover with a fully intact bulkhead and chassis, as far as I can see. With the deal I also managed to get a second complete engine, a third cylinder head (which supports unleaded fuel), extra body panels (including a pretty much mint condition roof) and a few other bits and pieces. In terms of repainting the engine, I'm guessing it would be best to go for it's original colour, rather thawnm going for a different series 2a colour. Would I be right in saying this?

Let the fun begin !
Mike

restos are a labour of love, cost in your time and you will lose money when you sell