Between 1961 and 1975, there were only 830 Land Rover Dormobiles built by Martin Walter in LTD in Folkstone, England. In 1971 this Dormobile (# 53127.1.626) rolled off the assembly line. Those numbers make these "factory built" Dormobiles extremely rare.
As you can see from my photos, this Dormobile looks terrific. From campsites to car shows, this truck is always the center of attention! Westfalia eat your heart out. Yes this truck is “all that” and then over the hills and through the streams she goes.
When I purchased this Land Rover, it was in pretty rough shape – cosmetically anyway, but she traveled 600+ miles home without one problem. I had it painted Land Rover Bahama Gold(#LRC235 ) which was first available in 1971, as well as other restoration work done. This is not one of those “nut & bolt” frame-off restorations, (which would surly mean that it would spend the rest of its life locked in a classic car corral) This old girl has been freshened up and ready for many more family adventures!
* Please note- The photos where the Bahama Gold paint looks more Tan, that is what the color actually looks like. Which is very similar looking to the yellow/tan used on old Toyota FJ40’s. The direct sunset really added a bunch of yellow to some of the photos.
Body & Mechanical details- When this Land Rover was still living in the UK, the 2.25 liter(74hp/120lb-ft.) gas engine was swapped out for a robust Chevrolet 4.3 V6 (195hp/260lb-ft.) which more than doubles the output of the original engine and still gets a respectable 15 mpg. There is no overheating even in the heat of Arizona’s summer. All the mechanical work. The 4 speed manual transmission and much desired Fairey Overdrive all shift well, the truck travels straight down the road, and the brakes don’t pull to either side. Pull the choke and the engine starts on command. No engine knock, ticking whatsoever. The only oil leak worthy of mentioning is coming from the steering gear box. All the gauges function as they should and the truck comes with a huge Warn winch. As you can see, this LR is Right hand drive which only adds to the "cool" factor. FYI-Driving a right hand drive feels really strange the first time out, but feels quite normal after a few short drives.
Dormobile (# 53127.1.626) details – The seats all fold flat making for a huge bed, the fronts also go into reverse position making for a comfortable dinette with the table which is mounted to the rear door. The rear seats (when in the flat position) will also pivot upward opening up that entire rear area for cargo. There is a roomy wardrobe cabinet, a sink basin, overhead bin and other misc storage areas. The gas stove is intact and the original propane tanks included, however they are not currently hooked up. The curtains, floormats, fold out cots above are all new as well as some window rubber. This rig also has a set of heavy duty canvas door panels! The Dormobile fiberglass top opens and closes with ease and has two fold out cots and opening skylight!
Exterior details- Warn winch, extra fuel tank, High-Lift jack, front differential plate, a rear step, mud flaps, a stainless steel exhaust, a new grille, new shocks and flexy Parabolic springs, roof rack and spotlight. The 5 tires are brand new with 3 or 4 miles on them! The paint looks really good but it is not flawless either. Most notable a small run, a few tiny rock chips and a few tiny bubbles at the bottom of the back door. As mentioned above, this truck was restored to play, not sit on a shelf! Oh and another note here, the body trim you see here has been faux painted, and not dis-assembled and re-galvanized.
* Please note- The wheels are currently painted black, not white as seen in some of the pics.
Chassis details- Although the chassis looks straight and strong, you can see where at some time, repairs have been made to the rearmost body outriggers. All crucial suspension areas are good. The drive train and under carriage look fine (nothing tweaked, damaged or even massive oil spills, but just not super sanitary like that “nut & bolt job.
So here it is- an incredibly fun vehicle to own, with the legacy and rugged reputation of vintage Land Rover. And due to it's rarity, a smart investment !
Feel free to call me for more info/pictures or to see videos of it running.
Thank you!
Thanks,
Randy 480-292-0321 in Mesa, AZ
Price- $49,500.
As you can see from my photos, this Dormobile looks terrific. From campsites to car shows, this truck is always the center of attention! Westfalia eat your heart out. Yes this truck is “all that” and then over the hills and through the streams she goes.
When I purchased this Land Rover, it was in pretty rough shape – cosmetically anyway, but she traveled 600+ miles home without one problem. I had it painted Land Rover Bahama Gold(#LRC235 ) which was first available in 1971, as well as other restoration work done. This is not one of those “nut & bolt” frame-off restorations, (which would surly mean that it would spend the rest of its life locked in a classic car corral) This old girl has been freshened up and ready for many more family adventures!
* Please note- The photos where the Bahama Gold paint looks more Tan, that is what the color actually looks like. Which is very similar looking to the yellow/tan used on old Toyota FJ40’s. The direct sunset really added a bunch of yellow to some of the photos.
Body & Mechanical details- When this Land Rover was still living in the UK, the 2.25 liter(74hp/120lb-ft.) gas engine was swapped out for a robust Chevrolet 4.3 V6 (195hp/260lb-ft.) which more than doubles the output of the original engine and still gets a respectable 15 mpg. There is no overheating even in the heat of Arizona’s summer. All the mechanical work. The 4 speed manual transmission and much desired Fairey Overdrive all shift well, the truck travels straight down the road, and the brakes don’t pull to either side. Pull the choke and the engine starts on command. No engine knock, ticking whatsoever. The only oil leak worthy of mentioning is coming from the steering gear box. All the gauges function as they should and the truck comes with a huge Warn winch. As you can see, this LR is Right hand drive which only adds to the "cool" factor. FYI-Driving a right hand drive feels really strange the first time out, but feels quite normal after a few short drives.
Dormobile (# 53127.1.626) details – The seats all fold flat making for a huge bed, the fronts also go into reverse position making for a comfortable dinette with the table which is mounted to the rear door. The rear seats (when in the flat position) will also pivot upward opening up that entire rear area for cargo. There is a roomy wardrobe cabinet, a sink basin, overhead bin and other misc storage areas. The gas stove is intact and the original propane tanks included, however they are not currently hooked up. The curtains, floormats, fold out cots above are all new as well as some window rubber. This rig also has a set of heavy duty canvas door panels! The Dormobile fiberglass top opens and closes with ease and has two fold out cots and opening skylight!
Exterior details- Warn winch, extra fuel tank, High-Lift jack, front differential plate, a rear step, mud flaps, a stainless steel exhaust, a new grille, new shocks and flexy Parabolic springs, roof rack and spotlight. The 5 tires are brand new with 3 or 4 miles on them! The paint looks really good but it is not flawless either. Most notable a small run, a few tiny rock chips and a few tiny bubbles at the bottom of the back door. As mentioned above, this truck was restored to play, not sit on a shelf! Oh and another note here, the body trim you see here has been faux painted, and not dis-assembled and re-galvanized.
* Please note- The wheels are currently painted black, not white as seen in some of the pics.
Chassis details- Although the chassis looks straight and strong, you can see where at some time, repairs have been made to the rearmost body outriggers. All crucial suspension areas are good. The drive train and under carriage look fine (nothing tweaked, damaged or even massive oil spills, but just not super sanitary like that “nut & bolt job.
So here it is- an incredibly fun vehicle to own, with the legacy and rugged reputation of vintage Land Rover. And due to it's rarity, a smart investment !
Feel free to call me for more info/pictures or to see videos of it running.
Thank you!
Thanks,
Randy 480-292-0321 in Mesa, AZ
Price- $49,500.
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