SERIES I 1958 109 PICK-UP
SEAN SLATTERY, ZULULAND, SOUTH AFRICA, IT SALES MANAGER
How did you find this project?
About a month before I found the project, I bought my fourth Land Rover, a Series IIIS R6, which is a South African-build Land Rover. I did not tell anyone about my purchase. Then a friend shared a link for the Series I for sale right where I live. I went to have a look and bought it in
July 2020.
What’s the Series I story so far?
My plan was to restore it and sell it. Just before totally stripping it down I had numerous offers to buy it, someone even offered to trade it for a Disco 3 V8. I was set on restoring it and learning at the same time. Isn’t that what being an enthusiast is all about?
How is the project going?
I have now had it for six months and I am already starting with the rebuild. It’s stripped it down to the bare chassis.
How is the engine running?
The engine had not run for ten years as the old man I bought it from was planning to restore it himself. I initially spent a Saturday morning trying to see if it would start. Did all the checks, plus a compression test on the cylinders. The oil pressure was fine. It ran surprisingly well. I believe I have found a rare restored engine that is ready to go. The engine is a 2.25 petrol while the original for this specific Land Rover would have been the old 2.0-litre diesel, but they are as rare as a free and fair election in Africa.
What are your plans with it?
My plan was to restore and then sell it in the UK or the USA, though now I might just add it to my growing fleet of Series Land Rovers.
They could be used as part of a business plan called Vintage Land Rover Tours of Zululand, which would entail ten-day safari trips along the coastal areas of Zululand in Series vehicles, and include wild camping, glamping, game drives, swimming with dolphins and anything else tourists might want to do.
Where are you currently with the project?
I now have a rolling chassis., which has been rust proofed and base coated.
What are the next jobs you will be doing on it?
The next part of the project is sorting the back brakes, rear axle and then the gearbox, which is the original.
What is the hardest part of this project?
I think the hardest part will be to find and choose the correct parts to restore the Series I to an as-close-to-original state. Remember it still needs to be able to work as a coastal safari cruiser.
When will it be finished?
I believe I can have it done by the middle of this year.
Who is helping you with the project?
At the moment I am doing all the work myself. I’m part of a close-knit Land Rover community so I have a large pool of knowledge and resources that I can tap into. I do hope my wife gets involved when we start with the fancy stuff like painting and interior finishes.
Any other projects on the go?
I also have the aforementioned 1983 Series III R6. It is at a restorer and they will be building it for me over this year. My plan with that is to do a Stage 1 type resto with it, so Defender diffs, R380 gearbox and transfer case, and disc brakes. The powerplant will be a Holden 308 V8 5.0-litre engine. It must look like a Land Rover but go like a racing car.
And other Landies in your collection?
A 1982 ex-military Land Rover Series
III R6 which is 100 per cent original. We call it Noag and use it for overlanding on weekends. Has a 2.6 straight-six DOHC Rover engine with twin SU carbs. It also has a Fairey Overdrive on the original Santana gearbox. Then I have a 1962 Series IIA 88in and a 2000 Defender 110 called Boeing as it used to belong to a senior South African Airways pilot. I am only the second owner. If readers want to follow us on Instagram see @Noag_series R6. All our Land Rovers are featured here.