Land Rover Series II/IIa
To maintain the Land Rover's market-leading position, the original Land Rover needed an update. This came in 1958 when the Land Rover Series II was launched, with new body styling and new engine options, although the first 1500 or so series II 88" models retained the 2 litre petrol engine from the Series I.
The new petrol engine was based on the recently introduced diesel engine. Engine capacity was bored out to 2.25 litres, to produce 52bhp at 4,000 rpm and 101 lb/ft torque at 1,500 rpm. This was comparable to the diesel, although the diesel engine revved at a lower speed, and was only capable of 87 lb/ft torque at 2000 rpm. The new gearbox was similar to the Series I gearbox, but incorporated synchromesh on the 3rd and 4th gear. Rear wheel movement was improved by moving the rear springs, and the turning circle was reduced by improving the steering lock. The new body styling was still conservative, but added rounded corners and sills to the Land Rover design. Window Perspex was replaced with glass.
Available in 88" (2235 mm) and 109" (2769 mm) wheelbases, the Series II sold well, with 28,000 being sold in its first full year, and 34,000 in the year after. In 1961, the diesel engine was bored out from 2 litres to 2.25 litres to match the petrol engine. Although the change in diesel option was the only significant change, the Series II was renamed the IIa. The 2.25 litre petrol and diesel engines became the standard Land Rover units until the mid-1980s, with the end of Series production and the advent more powerful diesel engines.
The first 12-seat station wagon was introduced in 1962. Twelve adults would have been a tight squeeze, but it allowed the vehicle to be classed as a bus and therefore avoid purchase tax. The cheaper price hit sales of the more expensive 10-seat 107" station wagon in the UK market, and the 107" was finally dropped from the product range.
The Buick designed Rover V8 3.5 litre engine was first tested in 1965 in a short wheelbase IIa, but this was merely as part of the development of the upcoming Range Rover, which was launched in 1970. Indeed, the V8 was not seen in a production Series Land Rover until 1979, and then only in the 109" V8 'Stage 1' model.
The next major change for the IIa occurred with the introduction of a 2.6 litre 6-cylinder petrol engine option on the 109" models in 1966. This engine had been developed for the Rover P4 and P5 cars, but was introduced into the Land Rover range to supply extra power for the heavy Forward Control IIb. The dashboard was re-designed in 1967.
Export models had their headlamps moved from the grille area to the wings in 1968. This change was reflected in domestic models in February 1969.
Another change in 1968 was the introduction of the "One-ton" Land Rover. Externally, this looked virtually identical to the standard Series IIa 109" (3/4 ton) Land Rover, but was upgraded in a number of areas to handle heavier loads and towing. The most notable upgrade was the use of heavy duty transmission components from the Forward Control models. Overall gear ratios were also lowered to aid with towing.
As with the Series I a decade earlier, by the late 1960s it was clear that significant changes were required if Land Rover was to keep its edge. Hence in 1971, the Series IIa was replaced by the Series III.
If you can help us out with more information about Series II Land Rovers, please do so. You can contact us at admin@lr-mad.co.uk.
Series II/IIa pictures
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