SWB lightweight.....

Well.... Funny you should mention it..... but......

I have for sale a 1976 S3 Lightweight 2.25 petrol, fully restored, with many new parts.

1976 (P) S3 Lightweight 2.25 Petrol Drab Green Hardtop with safari door Repaired vent panel (bottom had rotted) Custom built bulkhead and front panel to original spec. New rear quarter chassis New bulkhead outriggers Parabolic springs with ProComps ES3000 shocks 12 volt, with brand new Autosparks loom Halogen upgrade headlamps Brand new radiator New door bottoms and door tops Free Wheel Hubs New offside swivel (n/s ok) New prop shaft UJ's all round Chassis and body waxoyled Both military fuel tanks still fitted New seatbelts New steering balljoints New brakes all round New wheel cylinders all round New rigid and flexible brake lines New wiper arms and blade assemblies New wash bottle and pump 6.00X16 tyres Recon engine less than 10,000 miles ago (previous owner) All axles, swivels, gearbox, and transfer box oils have been drained, flushed and refilled Full engine service including coolant Engine and gearbox were OK before restoration started, so have not been stripped, merely serviced. Will be sold with 12 months MOT

OIRO £3500

-- Simon Isaacs

Peterborough 4x4 Club Vice Chairman, Newsletter Editor and Webmaster (how much more....)

3.5V8 100" Hybrid, now LPG converted Part owner of 1976 S3 LWT, Fully restored, waiting on the appointment with the nice man at the MOT station! Suzuki SJ410 (Fiancée's) 3" lift kit fitted, body shell now restored and mounted on chassis, waiting on a windscreen and MOT Series 3 88" Rolling chassis...what to do next 1993 200 TDi Discovery (the Pug 106 is dead, long live the Pug)

Peterborough 4x4 Club

No Rover didn't 'officially' make any V8 lightweights - I think they did play with one or two prototypes, but I doubt that they ever escaped captivity.

Yes, all the ones you'll see are home-builds.

Conversion is quite common, and John Craddock (As in the big mail order Co in Cannock, Staffs) actually wrote an article on how to do it for LROI about fifteen years ago.

As for suggestions, yes check out my web-site at:-

And check out the links pages. LROi have a pair of boards dedicated to both Military Land Rovers and Series Land Rovers - pretty godd place to look.

Know a few people running them in either stock 2.25 four pot, or Ford V6, rover V8 hot rod, or even full Range rover chassis'd. coil sprung suspended 'Hybrid' form.

Probably no less practical than any other play time driver - probably a bit more practical than something like a Westfield and certianly less 'preciouse' than something like an MGB.

Take a test drive, see if you like it.

Straight into my favourites....

Cheers, thats exactly what I wanted - a good starting point to help me decide what I want.

Hmmm, I'll probably be looking in a few months time when I've decided what I want - don't want to rush into this. Mind you it's encouraging that there are plenty around for sale, and they seem generally cheaper than other 'classics'.

Good advice for most cars, but if I had based my Landie buying decision on the first drive I would not have one now. What at first seems like awful handling soon converts to a casual weaving leasurly driving style. Watch the owner drive it and see how well they get on, much better indicator than your own gear crunching attempts. DavidM

Better yet, take an experienced Landy owner with you to test drive it - it's all abit like the mastercard advert. Bribe for test pilot $50,

1963 Series IIa Landrover $3000, the look on the vendors face when the test pilot can change into 2nd wihout a graunch - priceless!

So that's what you call that noise. :) Thanks.

Cheers, Aled.

Is there any sensible choice for a first landie?

I think not.

If it is what you want and you can survive the first month, then you might be hooked.

I think sensible and Series Land Rovers are 2 phrases that don't mix. Having owned a fairly rough but now tidy Series IIA for 6 years and gone through all the love/hate emotions I think you are either suited to own these vehicles or not.

I traced the history of mine and of all the umpteen previous owners hardly any kept it for more than months. They need lots of effort and getting your hands dirty but it can be very rewarding. You don't have to be a great mechanic but just be motivated and to expect lots of tinkering.

Good luck