1959 Series II Station Wagon

[StuartC]

Greetings All.....
I recently (today) acquired this '59 Series II after 3 years of pursuing this vehicle from the 2nd owner.
It was hidden on an acreage in Courtenay and has been parked since 1985.....!
The vehicle VIN is 164900425 limestone colour and I think it started life either on the lower mainland or southern Vancouver Island
It was delivered to Rover Vancouver in April of 1959.
If anyone has any history on this LR I would appreciate the feedback.
Sincerely,
Stuart

[terayon]

Congrats from Campbell River!

I hope you enjoy, how's the frame?

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[RobinS]

What a great find Stuart , looks like it has several cool options

[StuartC]

Thanks
The frame? I will certainly find out once the dismantling starts.....I am expecting a lot of work.
Nice thing is that it is all original, everything is intact, body parts straight, and all glass in order.
I do know that there will be lots of seized parts due to no movement for 37 years.....
BUT I do have a friend in Merville that is a phenomenal LR resource.
The journey begins.
Stuart

[mepham55]

Nice find! Looks like a great project. I’m just wrapping up a rebuild of my 1959 88” here in Victoria. It was a local BC government truck from new and I purchased it off the 2nd owner. I’ve got lots of bits and pieces here so let me know what you need!

Matt
Victoria BC

[StuartC]

Hi Matt
Wow......thanks for that. I will keep you in mind when I get the dismantle stage and see what I need.
Much appreciated.
I do get to Victoria occasionally and would like to see your project....if that works for you.
Stuart

[mepham55]

For sure, let me know if your heading this way. I’ll pm you my address and phone number.

Matt

[StuartC]

Will do....look forward to that!
Stuart

[franko]

wow what an amazing find. Good luck with with restore.

[bfein1075]

Love all the capstans


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[StuartC]

First time 37 years that the wheels have turned!
A good friend and I had a great successful day in moving the land rover to its new home.

[bfein1075]

How's the rust?

[StuartC]

Hello bfein
Have a video of the vehicle with doors off and seats out...
Cannot load it to this thread so
If you wish send me your email address and I will forward the video.
Will give you a better idea.
Stuart

[StuartC]

Well everything appears to be progressing quite nicely on the '59 LR SII SW.
My friend Paul C had a visit last Friday to check the frame and concluded that L/R bulkhead outriggers, L/R rear spring hangers, and the rear cross member needs replacing......OK that is not too bad!
So off to the sandblasting Co. this Thursday.
Will keep you updated once that is complete.

[StuartC]

added a few more photos....

[bfein1075]

Love this truck. Never seen another wagon with the ribs in the floor in the back


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[StuartC]

While the frame is at the sandblast shop and awaiting frame repair parts I thought it a good time to investigate what awaits in the 2.25l engine.
I knew the pistons were seized and have been adding "Movitt" and "Diesel" to the chambers for a few weeks....photos included.
Tomorrow I will remove the cam and see how well the piston removal goes.
I am hoping the connecting rods and wrist pins are not seized as that will make the job a little more complicated!!

[StuartC]

Thought I would give an update as to where I am presently with the 1959 109.....

Have had some great help from a number of members in locating parts and giving suggestions. These are all much appreciated......THANKS!!

So,....my next step is to finish welding the rear front spring hangers to the frame.
Then, a quick touch up with the hand sandblaster prior to priming and painting. I am still researching what product to use and if any of you have good results with a certain product let me know.
Once the final frame coat is on the repaired steering relay will be reinstalled.

Next are the bearing/seal replacements in both front and rear differentials and they can be installed once the new parabolic springs arrive from Jeremy Pinney.
BTW...had some interesting discussion with a few folks at the "Brits on the Beach" event in Ladysmith in early July.
Sad to hear that there are some shotty Timken bearings produced out there and packaged as the real thing. Guess I'll have to really be diligent on this front.

Still hope to find a good set of used 272309 steel wheels and have them mounted so I can have a "rolling chassis" soon......

Side note:
All my research, reading, and queries have led me to the shocks that will be installed on the 109.
Shocks seem to be in the same category as Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet discussions and TIRES. I will probably stir up a few passionate discussion points in the shock department as well.....anyway my choice was (I know) a britpart DC6012 and DC6014 rear.

John Craddock in UK price DC6014 $78.00 ea.....DC6012 $60.00 each

I have included a few photos.

[mepham55]

Looking good! I painted my frame with POR15 and then too coated it with POR15 chassis black. It’s held up very well over the last 12yrs only some small areas of the topcoat chassis black have started peeling.

Matt

[StuartC]

Thanks for that bit of info Matt on the POR product.
I think the primer portion of the product allows a bit of rust to be present prior to application.
Will have to confirm that and could save me a bit of sandblasting.
S

[mepham55]

Thanks for that bit of info Matt on the POR product.
I think the primer portion of the product allows a bit of rust to be present prior to application.
Will have to confirm that and could save me a bit of sandblasting.
S

Yes a light rust is fine with por15. You can spray the frame with their “metal ready” prep (which is just phosphoric acid) which helps the por15 stick.

Matt

[StuartC]

Thanks Matt
Thought that was the case with POR15....and rust
Stuart

[StuartC]

Today was the application of the first coat of Hempathane on the '59 Land Rover.....another coat tomorrow and the frame is complete.
Now starts the process of adding all the parts back on the frame.
Took me a while to correctly fit the rear bumper/structural support, forward rear spring hanger supports (both sides), bulkhead supports (both sides), and two frame patches at the forward rear spring hanger location.
The learning curve for welding/fabrication was pretty steep!! But with the guidance of two expert fabricator/welders (Paul C and Richard L) we got a professional quality frame repair done.
The forward rear spring hanger location was the most extensive rust issue on the whole frame........the rest was pretty good. Not too bad for a Land Rover that has been sitting since 1985.
Couple of photos.

[bsa_m21]

Any specific reason for choosing Hempel paint for the topcoat? Also, where did you get it from?

Thanks.

[StuartC]

ASCO in Courtenay.....not sure but they may have an office/facility in Victoria.
POR 15 was my first choice......but
after talking to ASCO this was the best solution.

extreme/high service industrial and marine steel applications
(thought it a good bet that a LR steel frame would be appropriate)
polyurethane topcoat cured with aliphatic isocyanate
used for severely corrosive atmospheric environments
direct to metal (DTM) with no primer requirement
high volume solids containing zinc phosphate

If anyone decides to use this.....use ALL safety gear/respirators....it is a nasty one.

This is a two part product.....base and curing agent.

I found using small mixed batches works best.