Description
1962 Land Rover Series II 155bhp Rover 3. 9 V8 with Power Steering & Disc Brakes - 6 Months MOT, Daily Driver - Family Owned for 10 Years - Then Enthusiast Owned 30 years - Solid Underneath - Lots of Patina - Expensive Private Reg 8779 YG - Six Seater - Ready to Enjoy
This is Bertha, our early 1962 Land Rover Series II. She has been a much loved part of the family throughout the last ten years as the kids have grown up, living in North Yorkshire and used as a weekend classic. Prior to the families ownership she was owned by Andrew for 30 years. Reportedly, during Andrew’s ownership she was well known within the historic motorsport world (hence her specification) and we would love to know more about this part of her life.
1. Professionally Maintained, Always MOT’d
Within family life, she has been maintained by a specialist and always MOT tested, unlike most Series Land Rovers. She is mot and tax exempt, however she has always been and is currently mot tested to ensure everyones safety and so that you can feel safe.
She has also been regularly and faithfully maintained by a specialist and flicking through her huge history folder is very impressive.
2. Excellent Mechanical Specification
Andrew upgraded her with power steering, disc brakes and the iconic Rover 3. 9 155bhp V8 engine.
Her power steering is wonderful, better than expected, light as a feather, whether stationary or moving, I know these conversions are super expensive and rare. Her disc brakes (on all four wheels) do improve her stopping power significantly, compared to drum brakes at least.
The most exciting aspect is the iconic Rover 3. 9 V8 engine, it’s terrific, the grumble, the power. It weighs in at 155bhp which is more than double the bhp of the factory fitted Land Rover V8 and the standard 2. 25 diesel.
As a daily driver, the bhp makes modern driving possible, she more than keeps up with modern traffic and when you put your foot down she is terrific and/ or terrifying, she is just lovely to drive. She also is pretty good on fuel, better than expected.
3. Daily Driver
I have been driving her as my semi daily driver throughout the last few weeks, just pottering back and forth around the city centre. She always starts first time and settles into a lovely V8 grumble, the sort of sound that leads car people to often say variations of "oh that’s a sweet or proper engine". She has been awesome to drive.
She sits in the right temperature range at all times and has never over heated, assisted by an electronic fan. Her oil pressure seems to be exactly where it should be, when cold and hot, on idle and at 2000 rpm. She doesn’t seem to leak any fluids whatsoever which is amazing. There is an advisory on the MOT for power steering seepage, albeit I can’t see any evidence of this personally.
She has been professionally serviced and is ready to enjoy.
All of her main electrical functions seem to work (except her amp measurement gauge), albeit occasionally you have to tap her drivers headlight and then it comes back on (likely loose wire).
Like all Series Land Rovers her suspension is super stiff and she does clatter and rattle on bumps, they are very stiff, albeit you stop noticing this. She has been upgraded with coil overs which apparently makes her less stiff, apparently.
4. Solid Underneath
She is solid underneath and has been undersealed for the winter by a specialist. I have a ramp in my garage and so you can properly inspect her if you wish. She will have undoubtedly had historic welding, but she looks very good.
5. Extras
She has the additional four seats in the back and a spare wheel. Her wheels are slightly wider Dunlop’s with off road tyres. Her registration 8779 YG, which I believe is quite valuable and is included at the advertised price. She has tow bars on her front and rear, albeit I have not checked her tow bar electrics. She has CIBIE spotlights on her front, albeit these aren’t wired in.
6. Condition
She is your standard Series Land Rover, a picture of patina, rugged charm and personality, endless possibility. She does have a few bubbles around her bulk head area. I love her how she is, but sometimes I have fantasised about polishing her to a shine or spending a day sanding her down and hand painting her in Almond Green like we used to, that feels like it would be really rewarding. She is tatty inside, but again just like most Series Landy's and nothing that a weekends polishing and tidying wouldn't make nice.
There are some minor advisories on her mot, some dust covers, some brake pads, a brake disc maybe. These aren’t necessary, but if you wanted to re-mot her next Summer and don’t want advisories I would recommend spending £200-300, but there is nothing that affects her safety on there. Her passenger window is sticking and needs unjamming.
I didn't understand her bucket seats at first, I budgeted £300 to replace these with the correct seats, but the more I drove her the more I found them to be great at holding you in place comfortably.
Conclusion
She’s a well loved early Series Land Rover which being a family vehicle is correctly MOT’d to ensure her safety. She comes with a huge history folder documenting regular specialist maintenance. Most importantly, she has all of the expensive upgrades which make your life easier, feather light power steering, disc brakes all round and the iconic 3. 9 Rover V8 for modern city driving. She has a loving family and she now needs a new home.
This is a personal sale and not a business sale, she is my own personal car. Having driven her daily I can’t see any reason why she shouldn’t drive a few hundred miles home, but I would recommend a trailer just because she is a classic Land Rover and not a modern vehicle. Happy to deliver her if you have no other options, but I would have to charge a premium because I've got a broken rib at the moment and driving isn't fun!
