1970 Land Rover Series IIA 109

The vendor (who knows his classic cars, has a collection of his own and only ever buys the best example of any model) was alerted to this car when it was living a very different life or, perhaps we should say, different vita.

It was the resident of an Italian barn and was very much in ‘barn find’ condition.

It had been delivered new to F.G. Searle & Company, of Sunbury on Thames (then trading as Carawagon International) who were in the business of converting Land Rovers and other vehicles for safari use, or work as ambulances, outside broadcast units, and a myriad other specialist uses and incarnations.

The first owner asked Carawagon International to convert it into some sort of bespoke camper van for use on particularly arduous overland expeditions, presumably in the sort of unspeakable places where the local wildlife routinely wants to sting you, poison you, tear your face off or eat you.

The vendor went out to look the car, decided it was just what he was after, and had it shipped back to the UK, where it was entrusted to the expert and respected hands of Samuel Lloyd & Co, accomplished restorers of classic cars who have a particular passion and penchant for Land Rovers.

Over £30,000 of the vendor’s hard-earned money went into the restoration of this superb vehicle, and the process started with the removal of the car’s original 2.6-litre petrol engine and the sourcing and insertion of a refurbished low mileage 200TDI diesel engine, liberated from a Discovery.

This was mated to the car’s refurbished original 4-speed ‘box. A brand-new radiator and cooling system were installed, alongside a new alternator, rebuilt starter motor, and an entirely new exhaust.

The result (we can testify to this, having started the car up on a brutally cold morning when birds were falling frozen from the sky), is a car that starts on the first twist every time, and an engine and gearbox combo that’s about as bullet-proof as you’re going to find outside of a Challenger 2 battle tank.

Samuel Lloyd & Co undertook a full nut and bolt restoration of the vehicle.

No corners were cut. No compromises were entertained. No expense was spared.

The suspension was completely rebuilt and today ensures that the car feels planted, sure, and entirely free of any unwanted looseness, wallowing or lurching.

The original bulkhead was repaired, galvanised and painted while the car was disassembled.

The shot-blasted and galvanised chassis is in excellent, as-new condition, and close inspection of the usual danger spots - the base of the doors and wings, the battery shelf, the bulkhead, and the cross-member below the tailgate hinge - reveals them to be equally unimpeachable and rust-free.

The vendor decided from the outset that he didn’t want the 1970’s ‘overland’ layout and equipment that the car had when it was the occupant of an Italian barn.

So, out went all of that, and in came a really classy-looking oak wooden floor in the rear, creating a fabulous blank-canvas for whatever sleeping, seating, haulage or other configurations take your fancy.

All in all, it’s a splendid thing in every way that’s worth measuring.

This vehicle presents very handsomely from every angle and looks, to all intents and purposes, like a factory-fresh Series IIA.

The shut lines and panel gaps are consistent and even, although we noticed that the passenger door requires a firm hand to close properly.

We know that, technically, the fabulous paint colour is, in fact, ‘Mid/Welsh LRC008 Grey’.

But the vendor prefers to call it ‘Battleship Grey’ and we’re with him on that.

The black fabric hood is, of course, brand new, and has all the right lines, cords, clips and stays, doing all the right things in the right places.

The hood can be rolled-up at the sides and rear, which immediately gives the car an entirely different aesthetic.

The hood sits on a powder-coated heavy-duty structural frame, ensuring optimal rigidity and safety.

The Wolf steel wheels are shod in 265/75R16 BF Goodrich AT tyres, including the spare, and are free of any kerbing, scuffs or other signs of wear.

The fold-down tailgate is rattle free due to new rubber seals and rubberised metal cords - as opposed to chains. Firmly attached is a heavy-duty swing-away wheel carrier to support the matching 5th wheel.

Everywhere you look, your gaze will be met by the reassuringly dull, reliable, solid, trustworthy and rust-averse tones of galvanised metal – on the bumpers, windscreen surround, trim, hinges and elsewhere – and that can only be a good thing.

Much like its exterior counterpart, the interior looks squeaky-clean, minty-fresh and in time-warp condition.

Every inch of metal has been repainted and every non-metallic item has been fully refurbished.

The three upfront seats are covered in new black vinyl and look as good as new.

The dashboard and instruments have been refurbished to become the best possible versions of themselves.

The oak floor in the rear is a thing of beauty and a joy to behold.

The heater actually works (and, perhaps even more surprisingly, works very well), as does every instrument, control and dial, as far as we can tell.

It’s all good.

The engine and engine bay are clean, dry and everything looks to be in its right and proper place.

The vehicle’s undersides look to be possessed of oodles of structural integrity and we’re confident that they wouldn’t recognise rain, mud, snow or salt if you showed them pictures and sent them on a hazard recognition course.

This vehicle has covered virtually no miles whatsoever since being restored in 2023.

We don’t know anything about its time in Italy, but we like to think that it enjoyed a bottle of Chianti and the occasional frolic in a haystack with a feisty young Lamborghini tractor.

It comes with a hard-backed photographic record of its restoration, a BMIHT certificate that immediately predates the restoration and engine change, and an RAC vehicle history check and a V5.

For obvious reasons related to the impossibility of time travel, you can’t buy a brand-new Series IIA Land Rover any more.

But this is almost certainly as close as you could get.

In fact, it’s almost certainly better than new, thanks to the quality of the restoration, modern techniques and a vendor who set out with the intention of creating something very special indeed.

Suffice to say, he succeeded.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £18,000 - £23,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.