The later series Landrovers can be a sound buy. The Series 2 Land rover came out in 1958, initially sporting the original 2L engine from the series 1. The Series 2 Landrover and Series 2a Landrover are largely the same beast, with very slight differences. The Series 2 Landrover is perhaps the most popular vintage Land Rover for ownership, as these classic Landrovers are perhaps the most practical and pretty of any early Land Rover.

These classic Series 2 / Series 2a Landrovers were built with both petrol and diesel engines, the 2286cc unit which is still running strong to this day. Some people prefer the petrol engine, as they rarely give any trouble and can be easily tuned. A Series 2a Landrover diesel may sound like a good idea, but in reality the diesel engine can be a little unrefined, and doesn’t last in the way the petrol unit does. A Series 2a Land Rover diesel will be slow, noisy, and will be hard to start in the depths of winter unless the battery is new, the glow plugs are working well, and the starter motor is in good order.  We have sold many diesels that are well set up and start well, so its all down to personal preference. You do get a few extra miles per gallon out of the diesel Land Rover, but you lose power and refinement. We also tend to find that the diesel brake set up, with vacuum storage ball, and vacuum generated by the intake manifold, is less powerful than the parallel petrol setup. The brakes on a Series 2a diesel do still work, but tend to require more effort to stop the vehicle.

Fuel economy is a frequently asked topic. Many people quote 18mpg for the petrol Series 2a Land Rover, and 22mpg for the diesel Series 2 Landrover. We have, on some occasions managed to get nearer to 30 mpg on a longer run from a petrol unit. Good set up, electronic ignition, free wheeling hubs, overdrive, and a healthy engine can all contribute.

Again, as with the series 1 Landrover, if your classic vintage Landrover is in good condition it should drive very well. The non synchro gearbox is much the same as the earliest Land Rovers, and you still don’t get a servo on your brakes, but you do get more modern heating and wipers.

The Series 3 Landrover represents perhaps the best value Landrover. The series Three Land Rover can also be bought tax exempt, which represents a good saving. Having a tax exempt Land Rover is a big pull for owners, but expect to pay a premium for such a vehicle. Tax exempt Landrovers rebuilt on a galvanised chassis are perhaps the most desirable of them all. The Series 3 can also be called the 88″ Landrover, a Landrover Truckcab, a Series 3 88″ Land Rover, or a SWB Land Rover. The series 3 Landrover was the most comfortable of all the classic Landrovers, and had a soft dash, better ride quality and synchro on all gears. These vintage Landrovers should be  nice to drive, with their modern servo brakes and comfy seats.

Any classic John Brown Land rover is a good investment, but a tax exempt Series 3 Land Rover is probably the most practical old series Landrover. We have sold many Series 3 Land Rovers, and  always keep them in stock, but the tax exempt Series Land Rover can be the best choice of old, vintage Landrover. These tax exempt Landrovers do command a premium, as people do not want to pay for their road fund. Series 3 Landrovers are also becoming very popular in Eire, due to new VED laws introduced.