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| Jerry Member Since: 13 Nov 2015 Location: Cardiff Posts: 199  
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Hello
I would like some advice on potentially buying a series 1. I am dithering quite a bit because (don’t laugh)…. I don’t have a garage (but I could put in dry storage over the winter), I am not mechanically skilled (but do have a good local independent), I don’t want a huge money pit and would like it to be fairly reliable in the damp Welsh environment! Budget around 22-25k. I like the idea of doing a ‘Team Faff’ and travelling around Europe… I have seen these advertised but wanted to know likely pitfalls at this price point please. https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1401853 https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1261063 Would I be better off avoiding the private market since I’m fairly clueless & getting a well sorted series 2 from John Brown/Williams classics etc ….or forgetting altogether and paying off a chunk of my mortgage (boring I know). Advice please. Thank you. Jerry |
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17th Nov 2021 11:39am |
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| Shroppy Member Since: 25 Feb 2016 Location: Shropshire Posts: 866  
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I would echo Barneyboy's comments on this, I have owned and driven many Series 1s and whilst full of character and undeniably lovely, they are cramped and uncomfortable.
I would much rather take my Series 2 across Europe than a Series 1 (except maybe a 107 SW), parts are more readily available and less expensive on the whole. Your budget would get you an excellent example plus change if you shop wisely. If you're set on a Series 1 however, then I would personally be looking for an 80", less 'useful' than an 86" or an 88" but lots of charm and will hold their value well - your budget should get you a nice, later (1951-53) model. I would suggest that whatever you buy, it would definitely benefit from being stored inside, not only to keep it in good condition but also because a Series is easily stolen if not well secured. The private market is where I would aim my efforts, find someone in the know who would be willing to view vehicles with you (even if you had to pay them) and try and buy from an enthusiast where possible. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread Series 2 109" Series 1 80" Last edited by Shroppy on 17th Nov 2021 4:54pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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17th Nov 2021 4:16pm |
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| Jerry Member Since: 13 Nov 2015 Location: Cardiff Posts: 199
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thank you both - that's really helpful advice.
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17th Nov 2021 4:30pm |
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| Barneyboy Member Since: 19 Nov 2014 Location: Exmoor Posts: 1626  
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Hi Jerry, just to add, in my experience they really need to be used regularly and as mentioned they do cope well with local traffic, I should of also mentioned I’ve never had a garage to park it in and have never had any issues with attempted theft, I’ve always used a clutch claw and fitted a battery cut off, as shroppy has already said because of there value they could be a target to the #*’l,@ , I’ve had a mixture of truck cab, hardtop , and full canvas tilt and have to say my favourite is a full canvas tilt even through winter as you can fit a fume curtain that encloses the cab and if the heater is working well it will keep it warm, albeit on my full tilt 88” I also had a heated pair of screens fitted which are a revelation.
 cheers Paul |
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18th Nov 2021 6:33am |
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| defender9 Member Since: 12 Mar 2016 Location: Fylde Coast Posts: 1629 
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Jerry,
If your heart is set on a a Series One, then you need to ask yourself what do you want to get from the vehicle, something very original which you will pay top money for or something which is a useable vehicle with some modifications to make it more suitable for modern day traffic. If you just want it as a weekend toy to pop down to the pub on a Sunday etc then either will do but if as you say would want to do some trips such as the Team Faff guys do then I would suggest something more modified. I have an extremely original 80in and would not dream of driving it for long distances on Motorways but for local A and B roads it’s great. I also have a LWB 109 Series One and this is modified to keep up with traffic at motorway speeds, it also has a long range Petrol tank and it’s also more comfortable then the 80in. Again if you are set on a Series One I would take someone with you who knows the vehicles well if you are doing a viewing and are not sure what you are looking at, especially if you were wanting something very original. It’s a bit of a minefield and I would think it best to buy from an enthusiast owner rather from some of the so called specialists. Good luck with your search and if you want a picture of a very original 80in let me know |
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18th Nov 2021 12:47pm |
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| Clemmo Member Since: 03 Aug 2012 Location: Mile Oak Posts: 1219 
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Jerry
Make sure you drive a Series before you part with your cash..it’s essential. They are more akin to agriculture than automotive I had a Series for 30 years and loved it. Many of my friends and relatives never understood why 
Especially if they had been on a drive with me. Secondly they always need something doing to keep on top of them. Important to consider if you won’t be maintaining yourself. I don’t want to put you off…just go in eyes wide open. Clemmo Make today a little better than yesterday but not so good as tomorrow....
Defender 90 HT............Pangea Green BMW X3 Msport............Carbon Black Mini Electric................Grey. (wow!) MGB Roadster……..........Vermillion 17k miles Honda Benly CD200....Maroon --------McLouis Fusio........7.4m of fun |
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18th Nov 2021 8:43pm |
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| Jerry Member Since: 13 Nov 2015 Location: Cardiff Posts: 199
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Thanks again for all of the advice- you are a very helpful bunch and it’s a great forum. More dithering on my part I think is probably sensible!
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18th Nov 2021 10:04pm |
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| Jerry Member Since: 13 Nov 2015 Location: Cardiff Posts: 199
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I know this is not original but I was just curious- is the windscreen wiper motor on this series 2 normal - I haven’t seen one like that before? Also, I presume it doesn’t have a heater???
https://www.landrovercentre.com/product/csu99e/ |
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19th Nov 2021 9:36pm |
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| Shroppy Member Since: 25 Feb 2016 Location: Shropshire Posts: 866
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There is usually a cover plate/trim piece that hides the wiper wheel boxes. That said, the orientation does look a bit odd but it's a while since I've seen a 2a with that wiper set up.
It certainly doesn't look to have a heater but does have some tasteful mods in the form of the wolf (aluminium) door tops and overdrive. It's certainly not the one if you're looking for originality and is a bit OTT in terms of pricing in my opinion. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread Series 2 109" Series 1 80" |
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19th Nov 2021 9:59pm |
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| Barneyboy Member Since: 19 Nov 2014 Location: Exmoor Posts: 1626
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Hi Jerry, I agree with shroppy that is strong money although nice in my opinion you will find a really good one for less than that, as mentioned there should be another panel enclosing the wiper motor, my last series 2 had also been fitted with the later wiper motor and heater, I know it’s not to everyone’s taste but mine was my daily and those modifications made a difference, what I can say is hand on heart that in over 25 years of series 2 ownership I have never broken down and had to be recovered, I have on the rare occasion of a breakdown fixed in situ and carried on my journey, these are very basic vehicles and I have always done my own maintenance, these are definitely not unreliable vehicles if maintained.
Cheers Paul |
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20th Nov 2021 8:29am |
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| strang Member Since: 16 May 2012 Location: Happy Valley Posts: 1381 
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If you are looking for a series one have a word with Jon Holmes at https://www.crosschannelclassics.com/
Jon is also a member of Team Faff and goes on all their trips. He imports series ones from Australia, so normally they are pretty much rust free in the chassis - which is very important. I note one that you have looked at above has a galvanised chassis which is a good point. His vehicles look well used body work wise as they tend to have a hard life, but the original patina look is very popular in series one circles. It would also be worth your while joining the Series One club - or at least the forum - https://www.lrsoc.com/forum/index.php?action=forum - bags of useful advice there. Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond..... |
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22nd Nov 2021 7:19pm |
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| strang Member Since: 16 May 2012 Location: Happy Valley Posts: 1381
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As for driving a series one, I used mine all the time last year and my Defender hardly turned a wheel - I find it much more fun. I also find it seems to have more leg room than my Defender, which with the Puma dashboard seems to have less room.
I too have taken mine all over Europe, often to events in the Czech Republic, but also over the Swiss alps, France and the West Coast of Ireland - all great fun! There are no creature comforts like power steering, and I come back with arms like Popeye, but with a grin that is very hard to remove. This is doing battle with trams in the centre of Prague.....  Click image to enlarge Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond..... |
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22nd Nov 2021 7:25pm |
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| TC909 Member Since: 27 Jul 2021 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 35
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If your after a S2 or S2a get yourself on https://www.series2club.co.uk/new_forum/index.php
Useful forum and where I picked up mine after I posted a wanted ad. |
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7th Dec 2021 7:31pm |
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