Picking up Series 1 tomorrow. What should I know?
Discussion
I'm picking up a 1956 Series 1 tomorrow on behalf of a friend. Having never driven anything like this before I'm looking forward to it but I'll be honest and say I'm slightly nervous about the whole thing too!
From reading up I gather it's likely to have synchro only on 3rd and 4th so a bit of double de-clutching is expected.
Steering is going to be heavy and (unassisted) brakes likewise. I'm also not anticipating to get above about 40mph on the 50 miles or so I'll be driving it.
Anything else I should be prepared for? I've been advised that earplugs may be useful!
From reading up I gather it's likely to have synchro only on 3rd and 4th so a bit of double de-clutching is expected.
Steering is going to be heavy and (unassisted) brakes likewise. I'm also not anticipating to get above about 40mph on the 50 miles or so I'll be driving it.
Anything else I should be prepared for? I've been advised that earplugs may be useful!
Driving a series 1 at 55mph on the motorway was one of the most terrifying experiences of my driving career!
The suspension crashes over even the smallest ridge and constant steering inputs are needed to keep the car travelling straight.The seats are little more than cushions and in cold weather the tilt perfectly directs freezing cold air through a gap in the door right to the back of your neck.Mine(also a 1956)did not have a heater or even indicators!Theres no fuel gauge and the tank is under your seat so not easy to check levels.Think mine did about 15mpg.These vehicles were from a time before fuel consumption was a consideration.
Still one of my all time favorite vehicles though.
The suspension crashes over even the smallest ridge and constant steering inputs are needed to keep the car travelling straight.The seats are little more than cushions and in cold weather the tilt perfectly directs freezing cold air through a gap in the door right to the back of your neck.Mine(also a 1956)did not have a heater or even indicators!Theres no fuel gauge and the tank is under your seat so not easy to check levels.Think mine did about 15mpg.These vehicles were from a time before fuel consumption was a consideration.
Still one of my all time favorite vehicles though.
Well, it (and I) made it. It took 2½ hours and 67 miles of driving on mainly B-roads to get home (normal motorway/A-road trip would be about an hour and 54 miles) but the old girl performed spectacularly!
Everything pretty much worked and it had all the luxury toys I was not expecting; heater, fuel gauge and decent enough lights and wipers!
I had to ford a few deep flooded rivers (some on closed roads) and despite ending up on the A34 which I was trying to avoid, a few recalcitrant downshifts when turning out of junctions uphill, the driver's door flying open on the first left-hand bend I went round (a mistake you only make once I bet!), and not knowing where the wiper switch was after I went though the first flooded road (mild panic!), everything went swimmingly.
It's been used regularly and the gauges indicated that the oil pressure did what I'd expect it to, the water temperature barely budged from the middle of the dial and the battery/glow plugs etc. seemed to be in good nick.
Yes, the steering has QE2-levels of vagueness, but the ride, comfort and noise wasn't as bad as I was expecting.
I can see why these things are addictive, the smell alone is enough for me to consider buying one!
Everything pretty much worked and it had all the luxury toys I was not expecting; heater, fuel gauge and decent enough lights and wipers!
I had to ford a few deep flooded rivers (some on closed roads) and despite ending up on the A34 which I was trying to avoid, a few recalcitrant downshifts when turning out of junctions uphill, the driver's door flying open on the first left-hand bend I went round (a mistake you only make once I bet!), and not knowing where the wiper switch was after I went though the first flooded road (mild panic!), everything went swimmingly.
It's been used regularly and the gauges indicated that the oil pressure did what I'd expect it to, the water temperature barely budged from the middle of the dial and the battery/glow plugs etc. seemed to be in good nick.
Yes, the steering has QE2-levels of vagueness, but the ride, comfort and noise wasn't as bad as I was expecting.
I can see why these things are addictive, the smell alone is enough for me to consider buying one!
PaulV said:
Is that the one from Curridge Motors on the south side of Newbury?
I saw it up for sale, looked a really nice bit of kit.
Good value too, assuming rot free.
Yes, that's the one. Chap said the phone was ringing off the hook even after the advert had been removed from Auto Trader for a couple of days.I saw it up for sale, looked a really nice bit of kit.
Good value too, assuming rot free.
I've had a cursory poke about underneath and nothing looks too worrying, but I'll be the first to admit I'm no expect in these things so may be missing a critical eye.
That looks lovely.
The steering on Series Ones is a bit like using the force (jedi). Once you start making positive adjustments you end up counteracting them for the whole drive. I find its best to barely touch the wheel unless necessary - adopting a gentle nudging approach back and forth.
I cant tell whether you have have free wheeling hubs on the front but its worth checking they are in good working order if youre doing distance driving.
Ps. Now its stopped raining tell your friend its the perfect time to strip the roof and windscreen off and sample some proper wind in the face land rover motoring
The steering on Series Ones is a bit like using the force (jedi). Once you start making positive adjustments you end up counteracting them for the whole drive. I find its best to barely touch the wheel unless necessary - adopting a gentle nudging approach back and forth.
I cant tell whether you have have free wheeling hubs on the front but its worth checking they are in good working order if youre doing distance driving.
Ps. Now its stopped raining tell your friend its the perfect time to strip the roof and windscreen off and sample some proper wind in the face land rover motoring
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