Slow progress is still progress! I try to do something on my Landy every day or so. Projects can be put off until days become weeks and before you know it the project is buried under a pile of parts and has a layer of dust. The welds will look fine when ground and finished. Most of the Landys out there will never be a concourse winner, but at least they are driven, loved and saved from the junk man’s fiery furnace.🔥Cheers!👌

Can't believe it came up for sale and still local to you! I'm just down the road near Swansea and am hoping to get something similar. Have subscribed to follow your progress!

I actually just shouted out “Jesus Christ” when you showed the other side of that mount. Did Land Rover ever do a “superleggera” version? Looks like Noel is trying rust himself off a few grams here and there!!

Best thing you can do is ring a scrap yard and get them to take it away,

“ I have a welder and some metal”. I salute you sir. 🫡 I had just passed on buying a MGB before finding my Landy.

Looking at the rust you’re having to deal with reminds me of how spoiled we are here in California. My hat is off to you. A Overlander/ KZbinr stopped by last fall in his 91 Defender 110 and glanced at my S2A and said the rear frame section must have been replaced. Then he crawled under and was dumbfounded when he discovered the entire chassis was original and rust free. It needs a lot of TLC but , I’m working on it as time and motivation provide and drive it often. Every time I start it up my wife wants to go for a ride. It gets the most attention of any vehicle I have ever owned, and has become a beloved part of the family. Cheers👍

I believe you are correct on the correct placement of the chassis plate. Every one I have seen ( including mine) is on the bulkhead forward of the shifter.

Thank again Richard , very helpful 👍 I have the same issue with the bulkhead it’s so bad it does not have any sound metal left it’s like a giant crisp😂. I have decided to purchase a brand new galvanised one in the future along with a chassis as that also has no structural integrity left for repair. Look forward to the next video Richard👍.

Hi, I appreciate your comment. I don't think you've missed anything. I was originally looking for OAS (Noel) and now I've been lucky enough to get him back he's my priority. I'm going to be trying my best to restore Noel without sacrificing Bess..... however the best laid plans etc etc. But I appreciate your concerns.

I've clearly missed something Richard are you now going to restore both Noel AND Bess ? I asked before if you would instead of robbing one to furnish the other, I REALLY hope you restore both.

Thanks so much, your support is highly regarded.

Great progress already 👏

Very nice Richard , that will keep you busy for a while, my 1960 serise 2 88” has the same front fog lights on the bumper too. Wondering if they were fitted as an optional extra by landrover?

I own a nice ‘59 88 pastel green soft top. I love these vehicles.

Just subscribed to your channel after watching this video, absolutely brilliant it helps me understand what’s what on a classic landrover as I have not long bought a serise 2 for restoration. Please keep the good updates coming👍.

Good video…. Great story! 🙂👍

It's wonderful to see Noel brought back to life! It broke my heart to find it rotting in the garden, but I'm so pleased I've managed to reunite you two! Looking forward to following the restoration! Good luck, Richard.

This has made my day. Inspirational stuff! There's nothing quite like a bit of food wrapper archaeology :-)

This is good story ! Personally, I'd do everything I could to restore them BOTH in the fullness of time and not use the chassis from Bess for Noel. Give it some thought. It's a marathon, not a sprint ! You are within touching distance of owning two very nice Landrovers. Doesn't matter if it takes a few years. No need to make a decision now about taking the chassis and swopping it. Noel looked great in 2005....this time will come again ! Subscribed immediately.

Bess will sacrifice herself willing to Noel 😂 Can't believe you found him, it must be fate. ✌🏼

What a find, is this the one we "tested" the breaks together Rich? So are you going to restore just Noel?

Cheers Yan, really appreciate your comments - as always. It's an incredible turn of fate that shows you mustn't give up on your hopes and dreams. 😉👍

Hey Rich I’m so excited to see how it all turns out. I can’t believe that you’ve been reunited with “Noel”…it was fate for sure. As always wishing you good luck and hope that Noel’s chassis is relatively hole free 🤞🏻

Hi Richard, On my Series 2(1961), the chassis plate starts with a 1 for a Series 2. The same number should be on front right dumb iron. You might need scratch some of the paint away to check. There are a couple of other places like the steering box and voltage regulator which have similar date codes for 61 or earlier but might have been replaced.

Looks like a good project. I'm just nearing the end of a rebuild on a 1966 88".

Might be worth considering a half chassis on, my series 3 had one, much cheaper and easier than a chassis swap especially as you've the rear tub off? Anyway, its a fine old 2a and I look forward to your progress on it.

I am sure you have noticed that one looks to have had a poorly installed rear cross member welded on at some point. I have seen Chassis in far worse state being repaired : just takes a lot of time with a grinder and a mig. I'd suggest you are going to need to get the whole cab and front end wings off, engine out anyway; then you will see. I also noticed the modern wiring loom in plastic at the back so evidence of more work that was done. On my own truck that I had delivered here I found my rear tub not bolted down at all :-) PS Wire brushes on a rotator like a drill, and Flap-Disks on a grinder to clean it up. Go well, and be safe. wear eye protection. Cheers.

You are correct, those tub braces are supposed to be attached to the tub, couple of rivets and you’ll be back on the road😂

We are lucky sausages indeed! Stop being a fanny though, loads of life left in that chassis ! Back on the road by Christmas 😊

Stay tuned for the progress - you lucky sausage.

You could say that it is a blessed or very hole-y vehicle. 🥁 Excited to see the progress although can't imagine the hassle cleaning and repairing that must be..!

Bess is a beauty. Try not to exchange the engine for another one,, please. Paying the deposit tells me my advice is to late... 😮 The money you are spending on Steve's engine can be used to fix the original engine. Here in Hermanus, the Land Rover Capital of South Africa, the fans, purists and collectors will pay much more for a car with matching chassis and engine numbers, and so anywhere else. Steve is wrong, Bess must have the Solihull badgesc on the grill, and at the back.. Only Series 1's had the Birmingham badges, as I know. My 1957 Series 1, 107" has Birmingham badges. My 1960, S2 88" and 1969 S2a 109", Solihull. Bess is a Series 2 by what I could see, or the very first of Series 2a's. Wiper motors x 2 in windscreen. Short straight low down handbrake lever. Wide skirts underneath the doors. Flat skirt below the grill, above the front bumper. Could not see if the vent flaps have nuts and bolts, or welded hinges. They are being opened by up and down levers, different from my S2 that has turning knobs.🤔 The tunnel over the gearbox don't have a swing away inspection cover that is been held down with a wing nut...as for S2..... 🤔 Nice project, try and keep the patina, she's sexy as is, for an old girl... Mutton dressed up as Lamb doesn't work for everyone... 😂 Regards, Landy Nutcase, 🇿🇦

Sir: what's wrong with the engine it already has in it? Personally I would compression check it and give it a good service, Replace points/plugs/condenser and possibly ignition coil, fluids and IF it's running fine save your money. I say so because you are unlikely to be doing high miles. Also: Perhaps that 3 bearing engine is the factory-fitted one meaning your chassis/engine ( and axles/diffs) might be factory? (Originality is where the Money lies IF such things interest you) I would give my eye teeth for a series motor to replace the Holden Engine in mine. PS I have seen Far Far worse rust on door bottoms and bulkheads. But going back to the engine question: IF you are taking the whole body off to restore: it will be simple (ish) to overhaul your original engine and put it back in.

Speaking as a Silhillian, I'd keep the Solihull badge regardless of whatever Bess "should have" ;-) Can't wait to see it driving - hopefully the fibreglass fairy only made a small number of visits!

Good luck the body looks fine. Chassis not sure.

Spring hangers are the military version, I think they ran the same hangers on the 1 tons as well, gives 50mm of lift. Don’t know if that was standard on the S2 and 2a, same hangers are on my S3 109 ex military FFR. Great to see another old Landy getting some love.

This looks great, shame about the chassis rust above the shock mount, but nothing too tricky for someone with your expertise! It looks pretty honest though, much better than if someone had been creative with some quick bodges and the isopon... Looking forward to seeing it under way.

For what it's worth Rich, I think the "hand painted with aluminium showing through" looks great 🙂

Wow Landy❤

Thank you so much 👍

Very nice indeed!

It's just a bit painted and looked after

You seem to have a good approach to rebuilding the car, steady bit by bit. I look forward to following the build. Cheers from Norway 🇳🇴

Ah! : I am the first here It would seem. ( I promise I'm not stalking you) For totally absorbing and fun Landy stuff here: Take a look at "Croker Vs Rover" series (Geoff Croker) as well a guy called Gavin Foreman (channel = Foreman and Wilms) Very amusing Australian, bless him 🙂 From what I can see your truck looks VERY solid for its age. What's the Bulkhead and foot well condition? IF your bulkhead is good, or even reasonable, its a winner. It doesnt look like you are planning a restoration so much as just "Fix it" - which is my basic approach.

Hi well done looks great I’m working on a lightweight it’s all the little things gary

When they get under your skin, Land Rovers, it's a permanent thing. I am busy with a terrible example bought as a shell, that I am slowly reviving. My engine had an awful knock when I got it started and idling....which I wasn't expecting....turned out to be the exhaust hitting the corner of the chassis where it passes closely 🙂 Yours looks VERY complete and original. (Chassis / Bulkhead rust??) - please post more as you go I will be following.

awesome video thanks for sharing

No Han.... No.!!!

Ran on 3 😂 It wants to live........

clean it and paint it again..