1961 Land Rover Series IIA

The British-based Rover Company produced a compact off-road vehicle that was inspired by the World War II jeep. Production was later handled by British Leyland in 1968 and by Land Rover Ltd. in 1978. These vehicles are commonly referred as Series (Series I, II, and III) and most had a leaf-sprung suspension and selectable two or four-wheel drive (4WD). The first Series, built from 1948 through mid-1951, had constant 4WD through a freewheel mechanism. Early examples were built during postwar steel shortages, so aluminum alloy was used which made them both lightweight and impervious to rust.

The restyled and more advanced Series II arrived in 1958 and was offered in both short-wheelbase (SWB) 88-inch and long-wheelbase (LWB) 109-inch wheelbase configurations. Three years later, the Series II was followed by the Series IIa with a revised, steel box-type ladder frame. Body styles included an open utility vehicle with a soft top and a station wagon with an insulating roof panel, Alpine light windows, and two rows of inward-facing rear jump seats.

Production of the Series II lasted from 1958 to 1961 and the Series IIA from 1961 through 1971. Only minor cosmetic changes distinguished the two. The Series II was the first Land Rover to receive styling by Rover's styling department-Chief Stylist David Bache. The wide track was covered with a 'barrel side' waistline along with curved side windows and rounded roof.

During the Series II production lifespan, it was offered with 2.0-liter petrol and diesel engine along with a 2.25-liter petrol four-cylinder engine. The Series IIA came with a 2.25-liter petrol and diesel engine and after 1957, a 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder was added to the lineup for the long-wheelbase models.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2023