Classic workhorses like the Willys Jeep or Land Rover are still just as popular today as they have been for the last 50 years. This would explain the numerous companies popping up to do full restorations, which can provide almost every single part to repair your pride and joy. This is good news for owners of this classic 1959 Land Rover Series II, which comes in remarkable condition and is originally from the UK, with its RHD wheel and English numberplates. If you are interested, you can find it here on eBay with 2 days left on the auction, and with a current high bid of $12,000. The car is located in Dearborn, Michigan and has an unbelievably low mileage of just 15,522 miles on the clock.
It’s unusual to find a classic 1959 Land Rover in this condition with so few miles. Back in the 1950s and 60s, there were pure workhorses, battered around farms, deserts and hostile environments. So for one to last this long with nary a scratch or a ding would suggest its either been kept in a museum or has had a thorough restoration. There is no word on if this has been restored but as expected everything is in perfect working order according to the seller.
Luckily we have plenty of photos to make up our minds. So starting with the pastel green exterior which looks in perfect condition, with not even a speck of rust on it. All the chrome, brightwork, lights and wheels are spotless too, making me suspect that this Land Rover has never had a hard day’s work in its long life. The seller is keen to point out the original windscreen wipers, perhaps suggesting some of the other parts are newer and hinting at a restoration. It usefully comes with a roof rack and light, although this is not wired in. Engine wise it shows a bit more patina and age, but again its running perfectly, with no leaks.
Moving to the spartan interior, this is where some of the age begins to show. The seats are ripped in parts, and some of the surrounds for the dials show their age, but don’t detract from the rest of the car. The underside of the car also presents a good picture – with only some surface rust on the leaf springs. This is the perfect car to stick in a museum for the next 50 years and watch it appreciate – or would this be better off on the trails around your area?
I once owned a similar one in light tan with the safari top.
This one is amazing and I’m surprised the current big is a so low.
I’ll be interested in how this one finishes.
Those seats are replacements and also are ripped? And it’s been restored? More like 115,000 miles.
If I’m not mistaken, Series Ii’s still had aluminum bodies, thus no rust. However the steel used for the frame was of such inferior quality that they are the only collector vehicle I can recall that is worth more with a replacement frame than the original frame. I agree with Fred’s suspicion. This one needs a compression test and thorough examination of the frame.
The steel was fine..it’s the water-trapping box construction of the frame which caused the problems. Yes, the seats are “wrong” as they should be the grey “elephant hide” flat cushions. Likewise the air cleaner has been painted as it was Hammerite grey not some shiny silver. I’m sure I could spot more but has it been “restored” vs “parts replaced/upgraded” as time went on, is the question. The horn button is correct (round black on the side of the steering column) but the bracket seems wrong. The white lever on the dash is for the optional turn signals and it had a hydraulic or pneumatic system for self canceling. Flip it left or right and, after a while, it would return to center and turn off the signals. Way too nice to use as intended.
Saw a few of these out west. Not nearly as numerous as a Jeep but enough to make their presence known. Saw some of these with Diesel engines. Not very powerful but they were indestructible. Of course every time I see one I’m reminded of the Lucas electrics. Well, nothing really wrong with them; they’re just different. What’s that 3-position switch? Smoke, Smolder and Ignite? Oil tight? Better check it…
If a British car doesn’t leak oil, there’s no oil in it.
Now, dats funny!
🤣
How crass! It’s not an “oil leak”, it’s an original, factory designed, external lubrication system.
No, it’s a self-implementing rust prevention system.