So, you've gone to all the SXS shoots this year, persused dozens of tables and found the perfect vintage English sidelock, and a lovely leather motorcase, tools etc. You just received your custom tweed shooting suit from Ermilio and your custom fit shoes from Russell Moccasin. You took some instruction on the Churchill shooting method from Chris Batha. And you've signed up for a European style pheasant tower shoot.
But something's still missing. You just can't show up at a shoot with all that English finery and a Dodge Magnum. You know you need not only to dress to the gun, you need to drive to the gun as well. Fortunately, a proper English shooting gentleman's vehicle just turned up for sale and the description sounds perfect. A true vintage English best shooting vehicle. It has all the qualities of an authentic English masterpiece; a real peach:
1967 Land Rover Series II - $8,500 (obo)
Selling Points: Time to sell my much loved, seldom driven 1967 Land Rover Series IIA, 88. Its a lefthand drive, 2.25 L gas engine (converted from the original diesel), Weber carb, locking front hubs. everything runs/works, frame and bulkhead are good. Actual mileage is unknown.
The good: all new brakes (wheel cylinders, shoes), new clutch cylinders, new radiator core, new steering relay and recent battery. Shes a good driver, currently registered in VA as an antique. Comes with factory service and parts manuals (the "green bible"), some spare parts, floor jack, ramps, axle stands, grease and suction guns pretty much everything youll need to keep her happy.
The not so good: small rust hole on right footwell (I have the boltin replacements for both sides), minor dents and dings in the body, heater temp controls are not hooked up to dash. A mouse moved in behind the panel awhile back and nibbled the wires. Everythings hooked up and working but wires could use some shrink tube in places.
Condition: For the unfamiliar, a Series Land Rover is a unique and beautiful beast. It has leaf springs and rides like a tractor. No syncromesh in 1st and 2nd gear so you must double clutch it to shift down. No power steering, no power brakes, no air conditioning, and slow only 72 HP. The seats are upright and hard and its noisy, drafty, bouncy and leaks oil. It requires constant tinkering and regular lubrication of about a dozen different areas to keep it happy. The electrics are Lucas legendary for their unreliability. In fact, it comes with a hand crank for emergencies! If you havent driven an old Landy before, youll likely be horrified. On the other hand its a true British classic with tons of interesting history that will take you literally anywhere. Oh yeah and the looks youll get are priceless. If youve never experienced a Series Land Rover and think youre interested, please start by doing a little online research. That way if you do decide to come see it youll be prepared.
Ah, the glamour of English vintage motoring!
(This is from an actual car ad published locally this week. For those uptight folks who mistook this as me trying to sell my car (not mine), please bother to read it and enjoy the humor.)
