Description
For sale, through JOHN BROWN 4X4 LTD, Land Rover® Series 2a Station Wagon in Limestone (1971).
Petrol 2286cc. MOT & Tax Exempt. Extremely Rare Genuine Station Wagon Crossover Model - from factory with 7 seats & 4 Rear Tip Ups. Just 2 Former Keepers. Deluxe Interior with Door Cards, Headliner, Soft Trims, Deluxe Matting etc. Safari Roof with Sliding Windows & Alpine Lights. Heater with Demist. Free Wheeling Hubs. Original Galvanised Cappings. Genuine Mileage - MOTs back to 1989 showing 64, 000 miles - now showing 70, 700 miles - just 186 miles a year on average. Large History file showing receipts for work and a large refurbishment in 2005 - which was featured in LRO Magazine (article provided). 2 sets of keys.
We are delighted to present for sale an exceptionally rare vehicle, which (from memory) we have never seen one of previously for many years - not only is this Series 2a a late crossover model, but also a "from factory" Genuine Station Wagon - the sample size of these vehicles, being only built for a period of roughly 18 months is very small indeed... especially when one discovers the story behind this one!
We purchased this vehicle from only the second keeper from new - he purchased it in 2002 from the original owner's estate once they passed away - having wanted to purchase it for many years from the original owner whilst alive, and always being rebuffed as he didn't wish to part with it! The original owner cherished the vehicle and there is a documented lay up where it was not in use for a period of 15 years..... and upon receiving custody of it, the previous keeper undertook a significant package of refurbishment works mechanically with the aim of passing the vehicle down through his family when the time came - due to a change of circumstances and our reputation, he elected to sell the vehicle to us in order to find it a new and loving home where it would be appreciated as he has.
As you've probably garnered from the above - the history file on this vehicle is significant, with MOT's beginning in 1989, with that 15 year gap accounted for by this story and LRO's findings - beginning again in 2004 when recommissioned by the previous keeper, until 2023 and its subsequent exemption from MOT. This shows us that, in the last 36 years, this Series 2a has covered just circa 186 miles per year - incredible when one considers the time which has passed. We purchased this vehicle and drove it 50 miles back to our premises, through just about every early spring weather condition - it didn't skip a beat & the support vehicle was not only not needed, but at times was finding it difficult to keep up with the pace! It is exceptionally rare that we ever get a Series Land Rover® of any type which we can be certain of the mileage of - so it is a real joy when one knows that the 70, 700 miles on the clock today is genuine, rather than 170, 700 due to the five digit odometer - we maybe get one or two vehicles in every 5 year period where we can be sure of this, so if you are the sort of customer who is wanting a vehicle with such documentation - this is the car.
Externally, as the photos show - this has all the hallmarks of a Genuine Station Wagon and we could wax on for hours about what these are - but just as a flavour - the Safari Roof with Alpine Lights and Sliding Side Windows, the Maltese Grill sporting the original "Genuine Station Wagon" badging from factory, the free wheeling hubs, the original galvanised cappings in superb and unmolested order, the wing-top mounted mirrors, the tow bar with electrics point, the rear door mounted spare with wheel cover (believed OEM), the reversing light, etc etc. You can see from the photos that the bodywork is in superb order - there is no mention at all in the works carried out about any sort of cosmetic respray intervention - and the LRO article sports a photo of the vehicle post-recommissioning..... and it looks just as it does today!
The interior follows the same vein - despite our best intentions and those of previous keepers, most of the Station Wagons we see almost always have pieces of their soft trim either missing, damaged or beyond reasonable repair - not here. Look at the headliner, the side trims behind the front doors, and around the windows - all original and in great condition - and the same can be said of the rear 4 tip up seats as photo'd. We just don't see them like this, and it is such an enormous joy to behold - right down to the heater with front demist which works perfectly, the lovely soft trims which keep things quiet and a premium feel - three seats in the front and four in the back meaning the whole family can come out. This may seem like a small point to note but even the original canvas ties for folding up the seats with the "popper" are there - they work and they were all folded up when we bought the car - we've taken a photo because it is just something we've never encountered.
As we've mentioned above - we drove this vehicle nearly 50 miles to our premises - and it was an uneventful journey, despite the fact it seemed to be raining one minute, sunny the next and even snowing at the top of Sutton Bank as we came down! With these genuine mileage, low owner cars - we can always feel the difference and the preventative previous maintenance - this is no exception. The gearbox is slick, the engine is keen, the brakes pull up straight, the steering is light and responsive. It gives the best account of a period Classic Land Rover® drive one could ever expect. It even has two sets of keys.
So - where does one value something like this - as there is unlikely to be another we see, at least for many years, if at all. Many outfits would put it up for sale "POA" with the aim of attracting offers and sealed bids, which drive up prices and diminish customer values - but anyone who knows our company will know - we don't do this, as we don't believe it to be either ethical or respectful of you, as our customer base. We believe we've priced this extremely fairly as we are more concerned about the home it goes into, rather than seeing it be closed away, never to see the sun again - this old girl deserves better than that.... it deserves to be enjoyed, be taken on family adventures and holidays and to be sat in the sun by the coast whilst the family enjoys fish and chips!
Priced at £23, 995
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