I've always liked the last of the Series
Is. It was that obvious realization from Rover that what had started off as a
stopgap vehicle was actually going to work, so the company needed to get a bit
spendy and come up with some new ideas, but in a very British sort of way:
let's not get too excited about things and start showing off. As a result, to
me the 88-inch Series I is actually the prettiest. The 80-inch is a bit too
cute and the 86-inch is not quite aesthetically balanced. The 88-inch, on the
other hand, is just right from all angles.
I'm not going to bore you all with stuff
you either already know or, to be honest, don't want to know about what
happened when and where or why. Let's just say that the two vehicles featured
here are from the last full year of Series I production.
I've
always liked the last of the Series Is.
When you walk through a motor museum,
admiring the craft of automotive vehicle design, there is always a slight
sadness in the air. In fact, this is true of any museum of the art of
mechanical craft. It's a sadness that comes from the lack of use. It's
particularly strong when the machine is kept in readiness and is fit for
purpose.
I admire the skills that are used to keep
exhibits in such fine fettle, but I admire more the owners of similar vehicles
who use them for their original intended purpose. Better still those owners who
accept the limitations of the original design and, through a little bit of
ingenuity, build modifications to the vehicle to improve on safety, comfort or
flexibility.
So here we have two vehicles: both 88-inch
Series I. Both were built in 1957, making them 56 years old. Let's start with
the pick-up belonging to Martin Straite.
Martin has owned this vehicle for 36 years.
Since 1984 it has covered 12,000 miles, yet it is used for work (although the
rule is "dry stored and dry used") as much as possible. The low
mileage is simply because Martin doesn't need to travel very far in his
day-to-day life. As I say, it is a working vehicle; it is used to ferry
materials round the property where Martin works, as well as being a mobile tool
box and jack of all trades.
Martin's
ingenious load lid on his pick-up - ideal for a 56 year old Land Rover that
still works for its living
The vehicle started life as a 2.0- liter
diesel. This overhead-valve engine was the reason the chassis was stretched to
88 inches from 86 inches, as the new Rover engine was two inches longer than
the previous ones. In modern terms its 52 bhp and 87 Ib-ft of torque are not
that impressive, but in its day this engine was a little stinker - especially
in such a lightweight vehicle.
Martin only removed the engine last year
because it required a rebuild. As he needed the vehicle on the road he simply
swapped in a 2.25-liter petrol three-bearing lump from an early Series III. The
problem was that he rather liked the extra power, so the diesel unit has been
re-built properly then crated up for safe storage until he eventually decides
to revert to the original diesel.
2.25
petrol engine swap
It's worth noting the special load bay
cover built by Martin many years ago. Maybe this was where the idea came from
for those modern Japanese pick-ups... A couple of gas struts make lifting
easier, and there's still room for fencing stakes and other sundries.
Another modification worth noting is the
Genuine Land Rover 'shooting' doors, although the original wood for the gun
rest/arm rest capping has been replaced. This adaption of the Series I door
makes for an excellent gun rest when out on pest-control duties. It's nice to
see this rare factory special still being used for its intended purpose.
Uncluttered
simplicity of 1957 interior (black bin liner seat covers optional)
The brakes on the little SI are prone to
fade, especially when you live and work around Porlock and Countisbury hills,
not to mention the less-than-flat terrain of Exmoor. So Martin has fitted a
remote servo to assist pedal operation. This is fed from a vacuum reservoir
which is in turn supplied by a vacuum pump. I believe they are from a Wolseley
6/99 rather than a Wolseley 6/110, making for a rather nice period
modification. It also happens to be a mod that works very well.
