Is a Series Rover a good choice for a newbie?

[TeriAnn]

You have been getting so good advice so far. Some mention personality, and I have to agree. Series Land Rovers are not for the average person. They are not a spectator sport. There are maintenance things that need to be done every 3000 miles. Most all the professional mechanics who know how to work on them have long since retired. There are a lot of DYI skills that will be needed. You will need time, funds, family permission and the inclination to do the maintenance as needed.

Here's my take on a long term Series owner personality: Someone who tends to be a bit contrary to mainstream society and does not want to be thought of as part of the sheep herd. Someone who knows or is willing to learn one end of a spanner from another. Someone who expects adversity to be a normal part of life (Unexpected excrement happens more often than not and you just deal with it as a matter of course) Someone who has a bit of a masochistic streak and tends to be very tenacious. And someone who grew up thinking of Series Land Rovers as being a magical enabling vehicle.

I think a road and track review of the 1964 Land Rover got it right when they said that a Land Rover is more a state of mind than a vehicle.

If you want to keep one in good running condition without having a mechanic on staff you will need to work on it frequently. More so until you find most of the worn out stuff that previous owners didn't maintain.

You will NEED a copy of the owner's manual. The owners manual provides the factory maintenance schedule and walks you step by step through all the maintenance items. For the bigger jobs you need the factory shop manuals.

Spend some time with one before you buy. If you have the right personality and walk away from a lengthy test drive enchanted by the truck and feeling a need to leave civilization behind you might have the mental quirks to become a normal deranged Series Land Rover owner.

Most people are too sensible to buy one and stay with one long term.

[dansalisbury72]

second that thought...

To reinforce a couple points that were mentioned above - I learned more about overall vehicle mechanics working on my truck and was forced to venture into areas of the vehicle out of necessity that I had previously not touched before.

Also second the thought that this is a good SECOND vehicle. I used mine for about a year as my daily driver and only vehicle. At the time I had only about a 10 mile trip to work and had my wife and her Volvo SUV on call as my recovery crew. Now that I live 30+ miles from work and my wife has much better things to do with her time than come pick me up on the side of the road, I bought another daily driver and have the luxury of leaving my truck in the garage when I need to work on it. Nothing worse than staying up all night knowing that you have to fix truck in time to hop back in it and get to work the next morning. But then again, those were some good times...

[czenkov]

From someone who bought one as their first project car - They are a pain in the arse. But one of the most addictive things you will ever own and I love it, ownership that is. And they do require regular frequent maintenance and sometimes major repair - they are old after all.

[LaneRover]

Most people are too sensible to buy one and stay with one long term.

Aaaahhhhh if only I was sensible enough to keep it to just one . . .

[Apis Mellifera]

While I appreciate the above advice ... I say go for it!

You make it sound like what I said was a negative thing.

I grew up with British cars. I cut my teeth on a TR3. I cut my hand on an MGA, burned my thigh on a Sprite...

Buy a nice Series as cheap as you can. Drive it for a while and then decide if it's for you. Whether you like it or not and whether you sell it sooner or later...or never, you still have the investment. It really comes down to seeing if you can tolerate the inconvenience. A Toyota Tacoma can do most everything better than a Series, but, of course, it's not a "Series". For some, the idealized notion of owning an old vehicle turns out to be better than reality, but for precious few, it becomes a way of life. I don't think I could be happy without at least one old British machine leaking oil on my garage floor. TeriAnn is right. Most sensible people drive Tacomas.

[TeriAnn]

Also second the thought that this is a good SECOND vehicle.

I agree it is good to have two vehicles in the hopes that at least one is running properly at all times. As to my Land Rover being a second vehicle or primary vehicle depends upon the weather, my mood and why I'm heading out to the cars. I figure both of mine are the primary and the secondary vehicle.

But yes, it is a good idea for a 40+ year old Land Rover to have a companion to share the daily duties. In my case it is a 50 year old Land Rover and a 49 year old Triumph.

[fishguy]

Thoughts on Rovers

My Series III SWB was my first project "car". I got hooked when some friends invited me "camping" at what turned out to be a rover rally...I was aware of Rovers (a great friend has a 109 pickup/dormobile) but that experience was too much. Totally hooked by both the trucks and the community.

When I finally found my rover it was in CKD condition - totally disassembled but essentially complete. Thanks to the help and generosity of a group of Hooligans I call my friends I was able to get it road worthy in about a year of part time work. The pride the first time she started and when I drove her to the inspection station and she passed on the first try was AMAZING! She's now in the midst of her second rebuild under my care...hopefully my two year Rover hiatus will be over this summer.

Some honest questions - do you like to drive fast? ( not going to happen) Are you going to be dependent on this vehicle to get you around? Do you enjoy problem solving & troubleshooting? Are you mechanically inclined (or wealthy)? I can hear my maternal grandfather chuckling every time my rover has me scratching my head...I did not know how into mechanics I would get as an adult when I had access to a professional mechanic.

Rovers can get jealous when you spend too much time or money on another ride or hobby. For all the awesome highs there are also lows - the sound of a spun main engine bearing on a highway hill on the Cape or the bang of a snapped axle when you're already running late

Teriann and the others makes great points.

Series Land Rovers are like no other vehicle on Earth, if you get into one, drive it, love the sounds and smells (learn them, they will help tell you what's wrong), don't mind your left knee getting wet (or right if it's RHD) when it rains, read all the horror stories and still lie awake at night or daydream at work about one then you are hooked...go for it and enjoy.

[superpowerdave]

You make it sound like what I said was a negative thing.

Apis I didn't mean to single any one person out for anything at all and if I wasn't clear I do apologize. I was speaking of the thread in general, not a particular post.

This thread displays the various personalities and quirks of Series owners at its best I might say, and has been a fun read to see why people fall in love with this tractors, why some don't, and why we can love them, and consider them infernal beasts of punishment all at the same time

EDIT- Apis after rereading your post, I'd have to say that's one of the most honest characterizations of the Series addiction I've ever heard ... and I totally agree.

[czenkov]

And a sensible craaaaaazy person has the Series for every reason mentioned previously, and Tacoma for those days when it absolutely has to start. I have a 2004 Tacoma for those days.

[NickDawson]

Not much to add - great thread!
My personal experience has been amazing but not without its ups and downs...a lot of downs

My Series III is not only my first vintage car but my first mechanical endeavor ever. I've always wanted a Series rover and thought it would be fun to learn to change the oil. The 2nd weekend, I was underneath changing the gasket on the transfer case which I thought was way over my head. I went on to replace the points in the ignition, totally disassemble and reassemble the carburetor and replace the coil all to discovered that the problem was in the fuel cutoff solenoid....that was followed by a trip to the mechanic when the ignition failed again... This was all in the first 4 months of ownership.

After it got up and running, we took it to the Mid Atlantic Rally which was just over the top fun. My wife loved it, we met so many great folks, including Bmohan55, rocked the (easy) trails and saw what rovers are capable of. All of the frustrations from the down time melted away.

Its currently not rolling while awaiting parts for the transmission...another part of the system that I did not think I'd lay my hands on.

The point is, as a 2nd car, its really been a crash course in mechanics and its been a blast! I got very frustrated at first (as this group can attest) not because of the money (although that hurts) but because its just so great to drive. Like others have said, its a head turner, conversation starter just outright cool. I got over the frustration and realized that its part of the joy of ownership - some of that was getting over the fear of working on it myself.

I would not hesitate to do it again. All the time that mine is not running, I still check ebay and craigslist for other rovers. They are addicting But it is important to have a realistic idea of what you are getting into. I heard people talk about carrying spare parts and doing roadside repairs - I get that now....but that is also part of the charm. If you don't find that idea charming then that might be a sign

[Wander]

I'm still a newbie to these wonderfully flawed creations so I'm sure many will dismiss any advice I could offer.

I noticed you've got a MINI-I also had one of those and really enjoyed the community of the clubs and road trips. I've found that with a Series as well-maybe even tighter as the odds of having to come to someones aid are pretty fair. I also liked the ability to modify the MINI with performance parts-to an extent but I admit that when everytime I swung open that bonnet there was many things I did not want to mess with as I would not be able to fix them or they were essentially disposable and expensive. After trading the MINI for a 4runner I set about my quest for a project. I've wanted my own project car since I was 12, I've worked on a lot of other people's projects but never had the scratch to get my own. With the 4R I knew I had the dependable transportation in just about any condition covered so I started hanging out on forms like Expedition Portal, Ih8mud, etc learning about different marques and vehicles. After asking A LOT of questions and I'm sure annoying many people I found I was most attracted by series Land Rovers. Yes they are a challenge, but that was what I wanted, plus the emotional pull was the strongest and I've always felt you should listen to your gut and follow your heart. I searched for about a year on classifieds just to learn what to look for, and how to spot problems. In the end I got lucky and found a like minded seller that passed along a very nice series for me to take care of (you never really own these things). Sorry for the long story, I like that it engauges every part of you and that when I lift the bonnet I recognize everything, I am impressed and puzzeled at the same time about many aspects and I know it's something that will always offer a new challenge and will never be totally mastered.

[Jeff Aronson]

The bleeding on my fingers has only finally stopped after working on a few Rovers at the Downeast Land Rover Club's "Shop Day" last Saturday . I start to bleed the moment I start working on any Land Rover.

There's a lot a sage advice here from very knowledgable enthusiasts, and you'll note that most of it focuses on examining yourself, your own needs and interests. Those are the primary factors in determining whether a Series Rover is right for you.

Around 1990, I went out on my own for work and decided that my 1978 Triumph Spitfire was not the best vehicle if I absolutely, positively had to get somewhere in bad weather in order to earn income. I had always been a one-car-at-a-time owner but decided to take the plunge and invest in a Series Rover as my primary car.

One step I took was to "rent a Rover" from an enthusiast for a day. I "rented" his Rover and paid him for his time to accompany me on some travel around northern New England for a day and about 400 miles of highway and two-lane road driving. We even went off road for a short while. That let me live in the Rover under the conditions which would be similar to the requirements of my work. The car was certainly not pristine and the owner made a lot of excuses for its condition. The fact that it ran so well anyway, despite the noise and the cold, convinced me it would work and that a Series Rover was right for me.

In the end, the Rover I purchased is the one I still own, a '66 II-A 88". I bought it with 111,000 miles on it, and promptly added 25,000 - 30,000 miles a year traveling throughout New England for work. At 168,000 miles, the engine required a rebuild because the cylinders were simply worn too far for compression. The rebuilt engine that's in the car has gone about 350,000 miles and continues to run very well. I've rebuilt the innards of the transmission once, and replaced one differential.

Yes, it has left me stranded a few times, but over 19 years, any car can leave you stranded. Tow trucks in New England have pulled or carried my MGB's, MG Midgets, Triumph Spitfires, Jeep CJ-5, CJ-7, and Fiat Spiders that I've owned in the past and relied on for daily transportation.

With my Rover, the stranding was the result of my ignorance about certain repairs; those same situations would not strand me now. If you must have transportation that must always start every day and can never let you down, no Series Rover or classic British car [or most any other classic for that matter] can be guaranteed to run perfectly every day. But if you're willing to learn, have the flexibility to look for alternative transportation in emergencies, are willing to reach out to other enthuiasts for help, then a Series Rover is a wonderful vehicle to own for the rest of your lifetime.

At 44 years of age, my Rover has outlived the Spitfire, the MGB that replaced it, and is currently giving the TR-7 that replaced the MGB a good run for its money. I still need the Rover to help produce my daily income; with luck, the expertise of enthuisiasts on this Forum, the knowledge and parts from our host, and my own efforts, it will do so for the rest of my life .

So perhaps you can "test" out a Rover for yourself and then decide. Everyone here thinks you should go for it, but with your eyes wide open.

Jeff

[thixon]

Travis - this made my day. I now have an excuse for why my rover is a permanent unassembled jigsaw puzzle

JackIIA,

I laughed about this comment all day! Have courage, you aren't alone in the world. At least you're ABLE to put it all together it if you so choose! The guy I bought my current truck from never had a chance. Good thing I rescued it before it was too late! He actually tried to bondo in new footwells!

[utahseries]

I think this thread should be the official standard for anyone who's considering owning a series. I would have to agree with what was said earlier, the rover wil choose you.. I've been around series rovers for my entire life, complete with ups and downs; but I couldn't imagine how empty my life would be without them. I searched for my series 1 for 6 years, and finally we met.... It has been a great/terrible restoration, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! Cmon and get a sample of Rover's finest hour!!!

[Paul S. Thronburg]

Mmmmm....such good advice from so many knowledgeable folks. I thank you all for your input. It would definitely not be my first project vehicle, or British vehicle for that matter. Dad has a 1978 MGB, the Wife has a 1975 MGB, I stupidly sold my 1972 MG Midget instead of the 1977 TR-7. Time and finances will determine when I manage to join the Land Rover Family. As for tinkering and tools, I have an addiction to both which is probably why I am a helicopter mechanic.

Thanks again!
pst