Paddock Spares
MAS 660 is my 1961 swb 2a. I bought it in December 2009 as a complete vehicle. It was a runner with a 2.5 BMC diesel fitted, but had no brakes and was green with mould. Inside it stunk of chickens and chicken feed as the previous owner was using it as a shed!
[See image gallery at blog.paddockspares.com] £200 and the owner arranged delivery saw my “new Land Rover” sitting in my garage. The plan was to swap the Engine for a Land Rover diesel, fit new shocks and springs sort the brakes and get it MOT’d.
However I decided to strip off the bodywork, which revealed a very rotten and twisted chassis, with any previous chassis work not done well as opposite outriggers were not level. This was a large step back because I didn’t want to spend money on a new chassis. I had already spent a lot of money on parts (engine, shocks,springs etc) so the project had to go ahead. I had to bite the bullet and order a galvanised chassis. Paddocks came to the rescue, I phoned at 16:45 and by 16:55 rung me back to say Marslands had one in stock which was then ordered.
Once this new shiny chassis was sitting on the garage floor the rebuild started. Work,family life etc took its toll and the rebuild was slow but sure. Browsing the internet, Paddocks for new parts and Ebay for second hand parts as and when required made sure there was always progress.
The engine a 2.5n/a diesel was fitted with new clutch,timing belt glow plugs etc and when fired up ran but something wasn’t right. I removed the head to find the head was damaged, another step back for me. Luckily a mate had an ex military engine which I bought from him and I’m pleased to say this is running perfectly. The old engine was sold on Ebay as a spares or repair which helped to fund more parts.
The Land Rover was rewired with a autosparks loom, but I fitted a fuse box for individual circuits. All the brake pipework was replaced, goodridge hoses and a brake overhaul kit made sure all the shoes, cylinders etc were good and new.
New seats and cubby box and a clean of the interior got rid of the chicken feed smell and now 2 years later I’m nearly finished and hoping to get “my new Land Rover” MOT’d and on the road ready for the spring.
With a new calendar of events in 2012 it will be good to attend events in a Land Rover at last.
I finally got MAS660 my 1961 Series 2a back on the road last October, all insured, MOT’d and of course “FREE” road tax. It was on the road later than I wanted,due to family and work commitments but is finally there.
I intended to paint it military green/black because I already had the paint (that’s why the wheels are black at the moment).
But after some Christmas money I decided to keep it Limestone/Marine Blue for the classic Land Rover look and pleased to say I made the right choice. I do intend to paint the wheels Limestone in the future.
I sanded down the bodywork just to key the bodywork. I used etch primer and primed the whole Land Rover. Reading on the net I should of also used an undercoat but time was running out as baby number 2 was on her way so painted the topcoat over the primer.
I used a brush on the nooks and crannies and a 4 inch foam roller for the top coats. The primer was in aerosol cans off eBay.
If I was to paint a Land Rover again I would use undercoat and roller again as I was pleased the results. All that’s left is to replace all the door seals and it could do with a headlining to finish the inside. For info for you blog readers the paint was enamel from Paddocks and the colours have come out very well I think.
The project from the start was to put a Land Rover back on the road and not a showroom looking car that I’d be afraid to use. However I have some good feedback from Facebook friends and from Classic Land Rover magazine.
This article is courtesy of Darren Archer
Series 2A Rebuild – Darren Archer
