1955 land rover

[Michael Slade]

Keith, is your red one a '53? It has all of the tell-tale signs...

I did drive my '53 around as a daily-driver for a while, but only b/c I had other trucks I could turn to when I needed them.

How tall are you? That is the biggest problem I think with owning a S1. 80 inches just ain't that much space for someone much taller than 5'10" I think. I'm 6 feet, but we did some 'customization' to the truck to let me sit in it comfortably.

IMO if you are looking for something quirky for quirky's sake, that's the wrong reason for owning a LR.

Here's mine:

 

[SCRover]

past comments on the highway-ability of a Series are good ones to note. unless you've got a Vortec or V8 under the bonnet, you're going to spend all your time in the slow lane. that is fine, if you're prepared. don't plan on passing anyone unless you've got a downhill to work with.

my 109 LSW has a high-ratio t-case in it and I can go break the 60-barrier on downhills and flats, but if the road tilts 1-degree upward or there is any wind, forget it.

and like Mike said, the trucks do not offer much in the way of front seat room (nor do the Defenders, for that matter). i'm 6'2"+ and driving my 109 is not comfortable. i have seat rail extensions on my 110 and these make driving it a bit more leg-friendly.

i agree, too, that if you're set on a Series truck, go for the IIa or III, or even a Stage 1 if you want the larger engine.

Series trucks bring grins and thumbs-up from hippies (I live near Santa Cruz) to Jeepers to grandfathers to little kids. They evoke people's Mutual-of-Omaha-memories and necessitate that the owner/driver slow his/her pace - a good thing nowadays IMO.

However, they are loud, drafty, uncomfortable and, oftentimes, pretty smelly. And you'll love the one you haul, push or drive home...

My 109 is for sale... but not for any of the above reasons.

 

[Wander]

That's painful to look at Michael, looks like you where doing very well, until THAT moment.

 

[Michael Slade]

Ha! Yeah, that moment on the side was me being a little too overzealous...but it was the Serious One's chance to shine! It's sturdiness and overall build quality stood out and it didn't skip a beat once we got her up on the rubber again.

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Keith, is your red one a '53? It has all of the tell-tale signs...

How tall are you? That is the biggest problem I think with owning a S1. 80 inches just ain't that much space for someone much taller than 5'10" I think.

Yes - '53.

Hah! "Leg room, we don' need no steenking leg room."

There is a good side to only having a thirty inch inseam

 

[ColoDisco]

Geez Roland. You don't ask your local LR guy? :sombrero:

If you want to spend alot of money get a defender. If you want cheap and quirky get a D1. I have not seen a series in colorado go cheap ever.

 

[leafsprung]

series ones are fine to drive. Ive put more miles on series ones than all these other jokers combined. They are roomy comfortable economical and will roll down the freeway without complaint.

 

[Funrover]

Geez Roland. You don't ask your local LR guy? :sombrero:

If you want to spend alot of money get a defender. If you want cheap and quirky get a D1. I have not seen a series in colorado go cheap ever.

X2 man, you didn't even call me hahaha. What are you hoping for in the series? I can show you a few around here.

 

[Michael Slade]

series ones are fine to drive. Ive put more miles on series ones than all these other jokers combined. They are roomy comfortable economical and will roll down the freeway without complaint.

Ike likes...except for the miles part. He's got Series One embossed on his butt I'd say. :sombrero:

 

[roostercruiser]

sorry aaron and brad. funrover knows ive always wanted an older rover:sombrero: but first i have to get a purple tj or taco for the princess. im just getting burnt out on the burban breaking everytime i hit the trail . the last 4 times out in 0/4. just lookin for now

 

[Funrover]

Let me know when the time is ready, I will find what you want. Who knows you and the princess may both get your rides on the same day!

 

[evilfij]

series ones are fine to drive. Ive put more miles on series ones than all these other jokers combined. They are roomy comfortable economical and will roll down the freeway without complaint.

You are also a glutton for punishment and a full time land rover mechanic. I also note your 80in has a merc diesel and your 109 SI had a chevy V8. ;-)

Does the red lwb still have the original motor?

 

[leafsprung]

no longer have the merc80s or the 57 V8. I have stock 57 lwb, stock 57 swb, 51 modified. Just drove the stock swb 1100 miles over the weekend. It was cake.

 

[SCRover]

no longer have the merc80s or the 57 V8. I have stock 57 lwb, stock 57 swb, 51 modified. Just drove the stock swb 1100 miles over the weekend. It was cake.

you're a better man than i... or at least you have a much higher tolerance for joint pain and noise.

with that said, however, if i didn't have to commute over a mountain highway every day, i'd "suffer" the 109 as a DD.

regards,
joker :ylsmoke:

 

[leafsprung]

Im actually very sensitive and delicate. But you guys are TOTAL pantywaists