No holds-barred restoration
History and timeless ruggedness, enhanced by off-road hardened technology – a true best of breed. This vehicle took over 3,000 man-hours to break down and carefully build up to better-than-new.
Through water or land this fully restored 1961 Land Rover Series II 88 is outfitted to overcome any road or challenge thrown at it. The meticulous transformation includes an swapped in drive train, including a Land Rover 300TDI turbo diesel engine from a Discovery mated to an R380 5-speed manual gearbox from a late model Defender, with an adapter for the original (but rebuilt) transfer case.
Legacy Overland spared no expense in preserving the visual lines of the Series IIa classic while selectively upgrading internals throughout. Some of the major upgrades include two channel brake system ported from a Defender, parabolic leaf springs, aluminum radiator for enhanced cooling, front and rear disc brakes, extra-strength rear half-shafts, power steering — and all galvanized chassis and components.
A generous set of options were added to further enhance the off-road creds of the build. Notable ones include ARB compressor, air tank and lockable differentials, Warn M8274-70 winch, custom fabricated rock sliders, heated windshield, lift jack on mounting in rear, axe and shovel holder, underbody armoring (skid plates, diff guards, etc.) and a full set of new main and auxiliary gauges and numerous other tweaks.
Creature comforts were not forgotten and the seats were upgraded to newer Defender seats and the car is fitted with an air conditioner ensconced in a custom made protective box, radio and two speakers mounted in the seat box. This Series IIa 88 rolls on 16’’ Defender modular steel wheels painted in classic Light Ivory with rugged old-school Michelin XZL 7.50R16 tires.
Made for horse country
The transformation of this ’61 Land Rover classic wouldn’t be completed without visual makeover; the Marine Blue paint job merged with a custom designed and hand crafted black Mohair canvas soft top and vehicle-wide galvanization, mesh into perfection. The final touches on the exterior consist of a spare Michelin XZL tire mounted on top of the hood, a 20L yellow jerry can on the rear door, LED headlights (split style), rear utility lamp and round glass-colored lamps front and rear.
Accompanying the sharp and practical exterior, this Series II 88 has a black vinyl interior, black rubber floor mats, geniune Hi-Lift Jack, and axe and shovel tool mount, and 12V auxiliary lamp outlets front and rear. In terms of technology added to this Land Rover some of the features include a custom-built steel lockable cubby box with 12V USB charger port and a Pioneer MVH-290BT media unit with four speakers, powered by a Kenwood amplifier. This one-of-a-kind classic is probably the world’s most capable Series II and ready to rock it.
Some of the highlights include:
Completely rebuilt and upgraded 300TDI 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine
Rebuilt R380 5-speed gearbox mated with custom made transmission tunnel with short bell housing
Rebuilt transfer case and gearbox adapters
All-Rad aluminium radiator with electric fan
Five 16’’ modular steel wheels painted in Land Rover Light Ivory
Michelin XZL 7.50R16 tires
Stainless steel wheel nuts
Galvanized body mounts, bolts and screws, windscreen frame, corner and edge cappings, window edge and frame, door and hood hinges, as well as steering guard, and double ends
Galvanized front and rear diff guards
Solid disc brake kit upgrade (front and rear)
Defender brake system upgrade, including aluminum brake lines, braided stainless flex hoses, and brake booster
Power steering upgrade
ARB RD127 differential lockers front and rear
ARB CKMTA12 compressor, plus tire inflation kit, manifold and air tank in custom under floor compartments
Rear half shafts upgrade in high-strength steel
Front and rear axle ARB breather tubes
Custom built larger diameter stainless steel exhaust, with heat shield wrap
Custom made rock sliders with lift points
Rocky Mountain door tops and glass
Hand hammered panel rivets
Warn 70th Anniversary M8274-70 Self Recovery Winch
Spare front tire Michelin XZL mounted on top of the hood
Removable black snorkel with custom fitting and quick-release fastening
LED headlights (split style) with protective grille guards
Round glass-colored Lucas lamps front and rear
Rear Land Rover utility lamp
Heated windshield
Galvanized front bumper with tow hooks and bumperettes
Black fold down step on sides and rear
Hitch hook and tow ball
Cargo tie down loops in cargo area
Custom made black Mohair canvas soft top with safari windows and sunroof
Galvanized soft top hoops and hardware
12V vintage auxiliary power outlets on gauge cluster and in rear
12 V restored vintage classic Lucas auxiliary lamp
Custom made Defender-style seat box lid fasteners
Pangolin hand throttle
Electric cold-weather engine heater
Engine battery kill switch
Black Defender seats
New instrument gauges with tachometer, oil pressure, oil temp and voltage gauges
Vintage-style gear shifter knob (5-speed)
Emergency hazard light switch with classic pull knob
Rubber mats on front and rear cargo mat
Land Rover embossed badge front and rear
Anti-burst door handles in black metal
Custom fabricated galvanized gas tank and skid protective plates
Rear door converted to Defender side-swing out door with locking pins
20L yellow jerry can on the rear door with mount
3840 Hi-Lift Jack mounted to rear wheel arch with mounts and chained pins
Smittybilt axe and shovel mount (galvanized)
Custom built lockable steel cubby box with 12V USB charger port, radio and relocated AC, window etc buttons
Parabolic leaf spring suspension
Old Man Emu shocks with 1’’ lift
Pioneer MVH-290BT installed in cubby box and four speakers (two front and two rear), plus a KACPS702EX Kenwood amplifier
Custom-made air conditioning system with heat/cold core
