1972 Land Rover Series IIA 88in

Highlights

• Restored and finished in white

• Historic vehicle — MOT and Road Tax exempt

• Galvanised chassis 

• Professionally rebuilt engine

• Leather-trimmed interior

Overview

There is a dusty corner of the western Sahara Desert where every day a group of UN observers head out from their hotel and drive to a disputed border region. Their white-painted vehicles cross the sandy rutted tracks and stop at a white UN-branded camper van. Here they can put their feet up and the kettle on as they watch for skirmishes and raids. 

This particular Land Rover Series IIA would fit in very well being driven to that remote disputed territory, especially as there are already so many Spanish-built ‘Santana’ Land Rovers in the region already. But instead of international peacekeeping, it was restored and finished in white with the intention of being used as a wedding vehicle. 

Therefore it has retrimmed seats and everything looks very clean and tidy. It features a galvanised chassis, rebuilt engine, overhauled brakes, and new canvas roof. Just take a glance at the underside and we’re sure you’ll agree with us that it hardly looks like it’s been used since being restored. The bright blue parabolic leaf springs add a dash of colour to the otherwise plain white underside. 

While this isn’t your average farmyard truck, it does remain true to its origins, with almost no modifications having been made. The only exceptions being the rebuilt engine, galvanising, and a few pieces of trim. And a bit more white paint than usual. 

It remains ready to be used for matrimonial duties, international incident observation, or simply bumbling around country lanes and muddy fields, if you can bear to get that white paint muddy. 

History and documentation

• Registered 24 January 1972

• A late-model Series IIA, originally built in RHD form, for the UK market

• Restored to a high standard 

• Extensive collection of invoices for parts, servicing and restoration 

• £5,300 invoice in Nov 2023 for restoration and servicing

• Engine rebuilt by Turner in 2018 at a cost of £4,800

• Two keys

• Historic Vehicle

• MOT, Road Tax, and ULEZ exempt 

• The most recent MOT, with no advisories, expired on 22 Jun 2024

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

Interior

• This Land Rovers white theme continues on the interior, with plenty of white painted panels 

• Light tan leather upholstery compliments the white, and features on the seats and steering wheel 

• Three front seats, and two fold-away rear seats 

• The leather trim is in excellent condition, with no damage or wear that we could see

• Fitted thick rubber footwell mats 

• Everything has a reassuringly over-engineered feel to it 

• No carpets 

• Original instrument binnacle 

• Bulkhead ventilation flaps

• Fitted pedal rubbers

• To the rear, the load bay is extremely clean, and features a rubber floor mat 

• There are no modern creature comforts like door cards or a stereo but that’s not really the point

Exterior

• It’s very very white

• Even the underside, the wheels, and the axle casings are painted white

• There are a few blemishes, chips and cracks to the paint

• Galvanised chassis fitted 

• The body panels are generally very good, with a few small dents and areas of bubbling

• The body tub has been re-fitted to improve panel alignment and door fit

• 16-inch white-painted steel wheels

• Avon Rangemaster tyres

• A few chips and scratches to the wheel rims

• Galvanised bumpers

• Metal front grille

• Wing-mounted headlights

• LED tail lamps

• Split windscreen 

• Soft top roof in excellent condition 

• Blue-painted parabolic springs 

• High stance, with plenty of ground clearance, though we note that it’s sitting slightly lower on the driver’s front corner, not that it obviously effects the way it drives

• Rear-mounted spare wheel 

Mechanical

• 2,550 cc, four-cylinder petrol engine

• The original 2.25-litre engine was replaced and rebuilt by Turner Engineering to a higher capacity

• An early Series IIA cylinder block was used with a Series II cylinder head

• The original engine covers and parts were retained for authenticity

• Engine bay and ancillaries painted white  

• Four-speed manual gearbox, with selectable four-wheel drive and low range box

• The engine bay is very clean and tidy

• Plenty of parts replaced, including engine and gearbox mounts, wiring loom, suspension parts, and many more 

• The brake system has been extensively overhauled, with new cylinders, linings, and pipes

• The seller tells us that the car starts easily, and runs well

• No mechanical issues reported 

Summary

Did we mention that this Land Rover is very white? We can’t quite get over it. If it were a modern JLR product we wouldn’t bat an eyelid, but in the grainy world of old Landies, this really makes it stand out. Sure you could buy a green one or a blue one, but that would be too mainstream. If you want your Land Rover to make an entrance, then this is the one to go for.  

This car is with our concierge partner SPR Car & Classics in Newent, Gloucestershire. To arrange a viewing, please contact them on 07725 042124.