1963 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon, California, original engine rebuilt

Make:	Land Rover
Model:	Defender
Type:	Wagon
Trim:	Station Wagon
Year:	1963
Mileage:	69,500
VIN:	26100759B
Color:	Green
Engine:	Gasoline
Cylinders:	4
Fuel:	Gasoline
Transmission:	Manual
Drive type:	4WD
Interior color:	Black
Drive side:	Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title:	Clear
Item location:	Los Gatos, California, United States

Extras

4-Wheel Drive, Cassette Player

Listed by

Private seller

Enquire

Description of 1963 Land Rover Defender Station Wagon

This is my own 1963 Land Rover 109 Station Wagon.First owner kept it for almost 40 years and drove it through America - from Canada to Argentina!
It runs smoothly, can seat 10 and starts almost every morning - rain or shine. I even drive it to drop my kids to school (it has seat belts for the 3 front seats).Overtime some nice additions have been made, such as the rewiring of the dash console, with extra gauges (temperature and pressure), breaker panel for improved safety, roof projectors, protective steel mesh grilles on head and roof lights, etc. (see pictures). The electric loom in the engine bay has been simplified and looks better than any other old Series I have seen.
The engine is the original 'long block' gasoline 2.3 liter engine and has been rebuilt less than 2000 miles ago, runs like a clock and doesn't accuse a single leak. It's been upgraded with a nice performance Pierce package: twin barrel Weber carburetor, performance intake manifold with no heat exchanger, and a 4-2-1 performance exhaust manifold. Seals and gaskets have been replaced including engine head gasket. It idles at 880 RPM with no rattle and revs up to 4400 rpm smoothly.
Transfer case operates smoothly, switch between 2 and 4WD as well as long and short ratio are excellent.The 2nd gear requires to double clutch while shifting down to engage smoothly, like on most vintage trucks.
Alternator is new, and offers a solid charge - 14V with idled engine.Old mechanical fuel pump has been removed and a new Facet electric pump installed for easier engine start. The original pump is functional and included with parts.
The paint isn't perfect, it's been obviously resprayed by previous owner (no idea how long ago) but overall the Rover has a nice patina, with a bit of oxydation on galvanized and aluminum parts which highlight this truck is an expedition veteran.Repairs on the body and frame have been made using original parts and galvanizing compound to prevent oxydation.
A radio cassette player has been installed by previous owner and is functional.
In addition to be a nice collectible, this Landy is a great mild off-road truck, which can actually impress more modern SUV owners especially on mud and climbing obstacles. It's fairly light and has a lot of torque. It's currently wearing Dunlop Rover R/T tires which are a good compromise for mix road/dirt/mud/sand and never let me down anywhere.
The only work this 109 would deserve is a refresh of the steering. I got used to the play and know how to anticipate it however my wife doesn't like it. Count $250 for parts if you can do it yourself, or $800 at a shop.
Included in the sale, is the roof rack which takes 5 minutes to take off, and about 10 to install. It's the original roof rack made of galvanized mild steel and isn't too heavy (I can carry it myself). There is also a vintage lift jack that attaches to the rear of the Rover. I never had to use it and kept it mostly for decorative purposes. I'll also include a 20L gas can.
Note: eBay doesn't let me change the title to remove "Defender" from it. My apologies, this is not a Defender but its ancestor, a Series 2 Station Wagon.