DID I MAKE A MISTAKE BUYING MY LAND ROVER SERIES 1?

Watch this video for a review of ownership of my 1957 land rover series 1/ The good bits about owning a Land Rover and the bad!

[@BadPennyDogBoy]

These things are simple and foolproof. I suspect your starting problem is related to corrosion in the connections. With an original harness that is often the main problem. Being as mechanically basic as a knife and fork they should be instant starters, and 100% reliable, always provided the plugs, points, condenser, and coil are in good condition. Great car, and great channel!

[@MalevolentMonkeyGod]

I learned to drive in a 55. Owned a late 1948 #420 and now have an '85 110. Love them. Never had a starting problem in my series ones-my 48 had a 173cui opel motor in it though.

[@nickb8257]

I have 71 2a that is basically my daily driver - I find it relaxing and more fun to drive than the modern cars ( unless you’re in a hurry!). The trick is to make sure they are set up well. Get a really good service / tuneup, including brakes, steering, suspension . When everything is nice and tight it makes a world of difference! Also finding and stopping rattles helps too! Have fun!

[@1411k_imnotdead]

Got a 1954 Series 1 (Evelyn) and it starts first time every time, hopefully get some serious work done over Winter to unveil her to the world next summer.

[@beto12345]

A friend of mine had the same issue on how to age panels parts on his 66 S2A, but here in Costa Rica you just simply remove the "part" left it at the sun/rain (6 to 12 months) etc, throw dirt, small rocks, scratch it with some branches, etc or simply use the car every day abusing a little of elements... be creative and have fun hahaha

[@rogercresswell1720]

I had a mark 1 in the 1964 I had great fun in it but couldn’t keep up with the petrol consumption. It was using 9 gallons a week just to get me to work. I traded it for a mark 1 mini this took 2 gallons a week for the same journey! Both cars worth a mint now!

[@Crash-zm2qd]

My grandad worked on them in TA in 1963 in Cyprus they were 1954 model he said they were uncomfortable to drive and rocked about allot.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

😂😂👌🏻

[@hubcap3738]

G'day, looks way better with the patina you have done to the guard and bonnet. Nice car I have a 80 inch.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Ha Ha! If you feel exposed in a Series I you should try driving a Willys Jeep, at least you have a lovely heater in the Series I. Enjoy! Chris B.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

haha thanks

[@eightlegger]

Convert it to have electronic ignition, it's a lot better than the original points system that nowadays is compromised by poor quality components.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks I have been thinking of that- if that’s your aeries 1 in your photo did it make it run smoother doing that?

[@eightlegger]

@@thedoctorsgarage Yes that’s my 80”, the electronic ignition’s been on ten years and has been totally reliable. I park it up though out the winter and it starts straight away after the winter break. I do however work at a Landrover specialist in Yorkshire and we fit all the ones we sell with electronic ignition conversions for better reliability.

[@machiningbasics1729]

The hand throttle was probably handy for the capstan winch

[@aaronleverton4221]

Designed for the PTO-operated accessories, but also really useful for crossing rough ground in a low gear. You can or should be able to lock the throttle instead of your foot bouncing on the accelerator as the car bucks over holes and bumps. Makes it much smoother.

[@malcolmscott4150]

Glad you’re enjoying it looks like a lot of fun - in the dry :)

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Yes I think I’ll put it away in winter to be honest!

[@smyth150]

@@thedoctorsgarage you doing these series videos makes me want to get one. But I’m in Canada so it’s a little harder

[@sierra5360]

Lovely! My dad and I bought one last year that’s very similar to yours! It’s called the Leopard.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Nice, I love this car. Enjoy yours! 👍

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

Correction...on the paint, where the new paint meets the bare spots that you have sanded... A very light wash, wipe with cheap thinners will also age the new paint... Don't overdo it...

[@davelock3166]

What's wrong with you man! The fun of Landies is you do the jobs yourself. You learn more Fluid changes are a doddle!

[@thedoctorsgarage]

I think once I’ve watched it once I should be able to do it next time

[@jerrygreene7139]

When it won’t start, do you “punish” yourself by having to drive the Defender? You poor thing! Thanks for the video!

[@rory7511]

I’m sure you know already, but don’t put her into 4wd on tarmac, or you’ll end up with “transmission wind”. Btw, I’ll take her off your hands if you want🤣, lovely machine #notjealousatall😜

[@thedoctorsgarage]

I didn’t so thank you!

[@rory7511]

@@thedoctorsgarage , no worries, I’ve had a series 3 for 9 years now, love it. Be careful in ice or snow, if you hit ice and not in 4wd, she’ll spin the back so damn quick and put you in the ditch (don’t ask!, squeaky bum moment!) I’ve a 1994 Defender 90 300TDi as well, 2 completely different styles of driving, would love to add a Series 1 as well, but I’ve too many toys already😫

[@koitorob]

It's most likely temperamental due to being neglected / not used enough by the previous owner. If you think you get stared at in that, try driving it minus canvas tilt when it's snowing! Then they stare AND POINT! I took mine off to clean it on a Saturday, then waterproof it in the evening but ran out of waerproofing so decided to drive it to our local camping emporium on the Sunday morning. Imagine my delight upon seeing horizontal snow flying past the bedroom window when i opened the curtains... If you fit your door tops you'll be more like a Series 2 then. You're feeling so exposed because you only have the door bottoms fitted. Oh, and can you explain why my windscreens were fogging up with no roof on in the snow, because i can't.

[@masonheilds118]

No you didn’t make a mistake land Rover series. One is the best vehicle in the world. go to literally never get stuck a Land Rover is the best make of cars ever they are just incredible and so special because they don’t make them any more, because they are that old ❤❤❤ like this comment, if you are a car fan 🙏🙏🙏🛻🚗🚙

[@Colinpark]

Even new these vehicles expected a lot of tinkering and fiddling to keep them running. Toss in the age, she need a lot of TLC, but running it regularly is the best thing for it.

[@tonypacke6954]

I think the ageing process has gone well. I wouldn't worry about people staring at you, you can always ask if they need some cosmetic surgery treatment done.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

😂😂👌🏻

[@awalk5177]

You have to have some mechanical knowledge (and experience) to look after really old cars. If you are taking your Land Rover to a garage for oil service, then looking after these cars, you maybe are going to struggle.

[@steamwally]

These are great vehicles for the competent DIY mechanic, if you aren't already you soon will be.. Once in fine fettle, you won't want to drive anything else.

[@rumi9005]

Great vehicle! Does anyone know why Land Rover chose to inset the headlights BEHIND the front fenders in the original series (I and II)? I'm guessing it was so you could push something in front of the vehicle without damaging the lights. It was primarily a UTILITY vehicle, after all. For farmers etc. It wasn't designed as a family runabout or anything.

[@highdownmartin]

So you don’t smash your headlights if you stove a wing in. Sensible

[@rumi9005]

@@highdownmartin -I'm guessing you're being sarcastic, right? But Land Rover didn't move the headlights onto the front wings until 1969. And they only did it then due to safety legislation for foreign markets. So I'm sure they had a good reason to set them back behind the wings when the vehicle was originally designed.

[@highdownmartin]

@@rumi9005 not sarcastic. Where’s a ww2 jeep’s headlights? Safe in the middle. If you’re driving about in the woods there’sa good chance of severely bending a wing. My 2a had a wonky eh headlight cos the wing was fckd up. I changed the front panel for an earlier one and got two new wings sans headlights.

[@rumi9005]

@@highdownmartin -Sorry. I must have been feeling over-sensitive yesterday. Cheers!

[@Br1anuk]

Better than money in the bank.

[@gordy4459]

I've discovered that having an old Landie is actually an alternative to having money in the bank!! 🤣🤣...but I still love my old Defender and would be very reluctant to get rid of it......

[@darynberndt2944]

If you search you can find galvanized frames, upgrade electrics . biggest reliability is an acc fan at the intake (like a blowdryer) all the way up to the defenders. I installed a heater blower with open close valve. at the intake because there's a terrible condensation or flooding for the intakes on all landrovers. On damp days running the blower for 3 minutes dry out intake . Then the vehicle runs and drives fine.But as always it's British so build quality sucks.

[@kevinmoss970]

Just watched your other video whennyou had it serviced. Looks like you have a gearbox pto, not an overdrive.

[@reloadernorway1042]

Nice car. But the breaks can be bad because of oil leak. Worn seals.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks will check

[@clivematthew-wilson7918]

Perhaps a roll bar and some decent seatbelts? A wise doctor will avoid slamming into hard metal surfaces.

[@ivorharden]

Looks like a series 2 with the indicators on wings.

[@XtremeCoke]

what did you buy in the end to replace discovery 5?

[@ianperry9914]

yes take the sunnies off your head and change the wheels , that will make the old girl more reliable .

[@gordonbarclay6106]

Looks really cool...

[@samhalsey5051]

If you don’t like the way it runs, convert to electric and enjoy life😊

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Such a great vehicle you have there it looks fantastic

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Thanks 👍

[@arthurchadwell9267]

If you don't like it, send it to me! 😁

[@rickbear7249]

Being waved to - what you're calling "exposed" - is something you'll get in all classic Land Rovers. It's something that anyone whose never been in a Land Rover before first notices. People are always very friendly towards people in Land Rovers 👋. As for a Series 1 being "temperamental", well of course it is, you numpty! It's a Land Rover, made with classic British 1950s parts (especially the Lucas ones). It goes along with that classic saying, "nothing rattles, something's jammed" 😅... The 'hand throttle' is so you can set the engine revs when this agricultural vehicle is being used in power take off mode as a portable power supply to drive various farm machinery.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

I think I could learn a lot from you! Thanks for watching, always appreciate your comments 👍🏻

[@rickbear7249]

​@@thedoctorsgaragesuggest you join an appropriate Land Rover club. There, you'll find lots of people to help you fix things that were well known in the day (when we all enjoyed fiddling with our cars), and I know they'd love to welcome you.

[@vzo8049]

Om606 or m57 swap it.

[@africadreamin]

The hand throttle was fitted to control the speed of the capstan winch or a rear power take-off when fitted.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Oh nice- never knew that but makes sense

[@m.p.7075]

And much more like the controls on a tractor than an aircraft as he said 😁

[@highdownmartin]

Great for maintaining a steady speed off road on the really bumpy bits. And for cruise control of course.

[@TheBlueOwl21]

I’m sure people look at the car with admiration, thinking Wow, that’s cool !

[@PaulMcGuinness]

Lovely looking Series 1. The hand throttle is for adjusting the speed of the engine when using the PTO (Power-Take-Off) or winch.

[@kriseckhardt5148]

Not a car! A truck. My 1959 series 2 was happiest once it left the pavement! My 2004 ROKON TRAILBREAKER 2 wheel drive was a street legal bike. It was doable on the road but happiest off the pavement as well.

[@radiotruck8135]

The only temperamental thing is that super hot weather can cause it to vapourlock , only if you do a short 5 minute stop , And expect it to start easily... it won't. All the other problems are faults that need fixing. Blocked slow running jet, Loose nuts holding the carby down, rust on the distributor points, and some people use too much choke..it's a 2 position choke.. so if you set it to 1/4 then you have not read the owners manual. Soon after starting in warm weather, the choke should be pushed back in. If standing for a long time, and won't start, you might need to put a test light between the low side of the coil and other lead to ground, Crank it over and make sure the light is flahing/ blinking. If not, chances are you need to use sandpaper or a point file on the distributor points, And try again. If it stalls while waiting for a long time at idle, you will probably need to replace the float valve in the top plate of the carby. They should not be classified as a temperamental vehicle, as normal vehicles are the best starting easy vehicles ever.

[@LRDefender1968]

Hi Doc, What a lovely little motor, I have deep envy! I think the main thing like any classic to stop it p*ssing you off is reliability, that’s where I would spend the money, I wouldn’t worry what the purists say, life is too short, not sure if you can but I’d be looking at things like electronic ignition etc, anything to make more reliable when you want to go for a spin. You have one of the most iconic cars in history, period….enjoy it in good health Sir. Kind regards Tony

[@nickb8257]

Definitely agree with an electronic ignition, Pertronix or similar.

[@78a67h]

I thought you were going to talk about the mechanics but it transpires you know very little about that. As you will find out in time there is a multitude of nasty surprises that a Series LR may be hiding, making exposure which currently concerns you a non-issue. The little lever that so much thrilled you is a hand throttle, a common feature of utility vehicles especially those who have PTO points.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

😂 thanks mate

[@stephencrowther524]

If you don’t have any hands on mechanical knowledge,I recommend you stay away from LR’s.

[@wearejames1]

Hi Doctor, glad to hear you are enjoying the Series 1 and it is mainly a positive experience. I hope that a service will help with the reliability, I can't remember if you have changed the plugs and leads or not, but I would if you haven't already. Yes the blending of patina to the driver's side wing and bonnet makes it look much better, but I guess I would have to say that, as I was one of the people who suggested it😃👍 Having the option of 2WD or 4WD is a great advantage, may well give slightly more miles on the old £1.90/£2 a litre stuff too much 😏🙄 If you are using it in favour of the Defender, well that says it all. Yes come the Autumn/Winter, it will swing the other way, for obviously reasons, but until then 'make hay, while the sun shines'...

[@fionalee9289]

Hi doc I really in your you tube on series 1 I have 1958 series 1 88 inch Got 2/4 motor You said have trouble running maybe check your earth leads also check alternator I think your petina is good only think. I look at strip bonnet back to raw ally then clear coat I did same on mine good contrast also put disco rims on it if you like I could send couple of photos you are right so cool to drive around Cheers. Andrew. Cooee

[@dspencer8827]

You should have no regrets series 1 landrovers seem to hold their money these days

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Not so sure recently!

[@Caravaggio999]

A restored one is very reliable. As it’s about 70 years old it’s going to need some attention! It’s the coolest vehicle on the road and is worth a fortune. Well done.

[@aavenderr]

I own a 1974 hard top series 3, the more I watch these LR videos,the less I want to get rid of it and now thinking about investing in a restoration!!!

[@VintageRestorationsAustralia]

Nice little car. If you drive an old car you work on an old car. I find its about 50/50 drive/work

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

You cannot copy patina.. The car (or driver) must earn it... The combination of old and "new" was nice. The newer bonnet and fender would get it's own honest earned patina in the years to come.. But..... When "ageing" something, you must always look at the obvious places where wear and tear will happen... On the roundings, where you most often touched, and so on... The "patina" on the bonnet, next to the spare wheel, is a bit high, nothing could have warn it through there, but a bit lower, on the bend, was better... Use a stiff paint brush, dip it in paint remover, at tap tap here and there where you removed the paint, and exposed the bare aluminium... Leave it to dry, and in time it will "peel" or crackle... Very very nice little car... Less is more, don't overdo it. Regards, from Hermanus, RSA

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Great tips thanks 🙏🏼

[@timcolledge6813]

If it's 1957, then it must be one of the last Series 1s ? Really like it !! 👍👍

[@Jason-cl8hk]

It looks great so just enjoy it and stop being picky. 👍

[@DavidSmith-hg9jw]

Spray the electrics and the plugs the carb add electric ignition all the springs and mechanisms spray with wd 40 keep the damp out

[@SamuelOsei-Somuah]

No you never made a mistake buying a Land Rover best between 1957 and 1974

[@jeanmarietherssen5300]

No jou must restaured him

[@boudeigbokwe2787]

To get a nice patina drive it through an unkept byway or green lane!!

[@R.Sole88109]

That's a mint way of getting custom pinstriping. 👍🏻😄

[@mattluszczak8095]

Get electronic egnition for the dizzy. Check condition of wires for ignition system

[@thedoctorsgarage]

Nice will Take a look

[@ozanoutcast]

If your series 1 has the authentic 1.6L Engine, you've made it. Restore it gracefully. It's super rare. Good luck from a 1990 NA diesel Defender pick up owner.

[@thedoctorsgarage]

🙏🏼🙏🏼👌🏻

[@onetonlandrover]

An 86"/88" had the 2 litre.

[@gabrielovich2000]

If you are not used to driving a classic early Land Rover, it would be more complicated than driving a Defender.

[@marklelohe3754]

The front paintwork is not the correct colour. The original paint was cellulose based from ICI automotive paint div, applied direct to Alochromed Aluminium, no primer or undercoat. The paint is called Sellimix now (from PPG), but it is the original spec as per ICI. The patina comes from weathering and wear.

[@gagatube]

Public exposure - Have you considered wearing dark sunglasses?

[@marklelohe3754]

You are supposed to give people a wave and relish the exposure. It sure is a head turner!

[@johnlomas1261]

Do you want the Pto or is it for sale?🙂

[@longlowdog]

Valve timings and really skilled carb' overhaul will make your S.1 much more pleasant. Giving them a name also helps immensely. Mary Lou my 1964 ex MOD S.2A would often require a few gentle words of encouragement before she oblige with a cold start.

[@kabaottoemulsion1869]

Nice, you did not make mistake at all but just walking along on the line of your destiny. Whatever you did was already planned on the day your were born! I am jealous! I hope it is a part of destiny to be able to afford some rural property with giant shed and series II LR and my current 300tdi Defender!

[@Howiedewitt123]

Lovely vehicle by the way, to get that paint glistening, in that condition you’ll probably have to strip most of it off. You can do this with paint stripper or remove each part and angle grind it vaguely (but make sure it’s not all shiny when you grind it as you want some paint to still be there to act as a base paint) it’s much easier to use paint stripper on each panel and then either respray or paint with layers.

[@richardtilby4159]

Not what he is after - he wants patina not glistening!!