SER1 New member in Nelson NZ.

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Greetings from Nelson New Zealand.

A few months ago I purchased a 1952/3 (see first question below) =20
Series 1 and since then a whole new world has been opened to me, I have=20=

met so many wonderful enthusiasts in the Nelson area and been =93exposed=94=
=20
to many more via the web and this email site.

Reading your many restoration stories I realize how =93fortunate=94 I =
have=20
been to find an old Landy in pretty good shape. Basically no rust and a=20=

1956 2 L. Land Rover engine in working order.  Having very little=20
mechanical knowledge I was fortunate to locate Don Roberts, a=20
semi-retired Land Rover mechanic and keen enthusiastic who went over=20
the engine for me.. There were a few oil leaks which new gaskets=20
solved, the fuel tank needed to be replaced, as did the drive shaft.=20
Don also  managed to remove most of the rather excessive play in the=20
steering which had made driving rather interesting.

Her serial number is  36160316. I know this is a =9153 Land Rover number=20=

but the registration papers show her first registered to the NZ army on=20=

3rd December of 1952. If Land Rover began making the =9153 model in=20
September of =9152 then it must have made a pretty quick journey to NZ =
by=20
December 3rd. ! Hence my first of probably many dumb questions.

Do I have a =9252 or =9253?

Her papers show her being sold from the Army in Oct of =9269 with only=20=

3221 miles on the odometer. If this is true, I presume she may made=20
have been used mostly for ceremonial purposes.

The excellent condition of her chassis would also suggest that she was=20=

used only in the South Island as I am told those in the North Island=20
were often used on beaches. Hence a lot of rust damage.

A wonderful and very keen Nelson Landy enthusiast Mike Smith (who has=20
been most helpful and patient with me) suggested I carefully sand off=20
the old grey paint on the doors and left wing to see if there were any=20=

Army markings underneath. What marvelous sites were revealed. The Army=20=

number NZ 28845 hand painted on both doors and a wonderful Kiwi about 6=20=

inches high and wide in white emerged on the left wing. Also, above=20
each wheel well the numbers =9325=94 =96 to tell the pressure for the =
tires.
I will post photos on the Series 1 web site.

Unfortunately Mike tells me that the NZ Army destroyed all records=20
about these vehicles and it is impossible to trace their history with=20
the army. However, I am hopeful that there may be some way to trace=20
them and any suggestions would be welcome. =96 Where to find  photos of=20=

Army parades during those years so one might be able to identify the=20
vehicle?

I have started work on the restoration  of the body and have ordered a=20=

new wiring loom as the wiring is a real =93bird=92s nest.=94  Also I =
quickly=20
came to realize that taking it apart will to be the =93easy=94 part.=20
Fortunately I know I have many wonderful people to ask advice from and=20=

receive encouragement.

Sorry if this has gone on a bit.

Cheers.

Joe Cuthbertson
Nelson NZ.

1952 or 53 Series 1



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Greetings from Nelson New Zealand.


A few months ago I purchased a 1952/3 (see first question below)=20
Series 1 and since then a whole new world has been opened to me, I
have met so many wonderful enthusiasts in the Nelson area and been
=93exposed=94 to many more via the web and this email site.


Reading your many restoration stories I realize how =93fortunate=94 I =
have
been to find an old Landy in pretty good shape. Basically no rust and
a 1956 2 L. Land Rover engine in working order.  Having very little
mechanical knowledge I was fortunate to locate Don Roberts, a
semi-retired Land Rover mechanic and keen enthusiastic who went over
the engine for me.. There were a few oil leaks which new gaskets
solved, the fuel tank needed to be replaced, as did the drive shaft.
Don also  managed to remove most of the rather excessive play in the
steering which had made driving rather interesting.


Her serial number is  36160316. I know this is a =9153 Land Rover number
but the registration papers show her first registered to the NZ army
on 3rd December of 1952. If Land Rover began making the =9153 model in
September of =9152 then it must have made a pretty quick journey to NZ
by December 3rd. ! Hence my first of probably many dumb questions.


Do I have a =9252 or =9253?


Her papers show her being sold from the Army in Oct of =9269 with only
3221 miles on the odometer. If this is true, I presume she may made
have been used mostly for ceremonial purposes.


The excellent condition of her chassis would also suggest that she was
used only in the South Island as I am told those in the North Island
were often used on beaches. Hence a lot of rust damage.


A wonderful and very keen Nelson Landy enthusiast Mike Smith (who has
been most helpful and patient with me) suggested I carefully sand off
the old grey paint on the doors and left wing to see if there were any
Army markings underneath. What marvelous sites were revealed. The Army
number NZ 28845 hand painted on both doors and a wonderful Kiwi about
6 inches high and wide in white emerged on the left wing. Also, above
each wheel well the numbers =9325=94 =96 to tell the pressure for the =
tires.

I will post photos on the Series 1 web site.


Unfortunately Mike tells me that the NZ Army destroyed all records
about these vehicles and it is impossible to trace their history with
the army. However, I am hopeful that there may be some way to trace
them and any suggestions would be welcome. =96 Where to find  photos of
Army parades during those years so one might be able to identify the
vehicle?


I have started work on the restoration  of the body and have ordered a
new wiring loom as the wiring is a real =93bird=92s nest.=94  Also I =
quickly
came to realize that taking it apart will to be the =93easy=94 part.
Fortunately I know I have many wonderful people to ask advice from and
receive encouragement.


Sorry if this has gone on a bit.


Cheers.


Joe Cuthbertson

Nelson NZ.


1952 or 53 Series 1<fontfamily><param>Times New Roman</param><smaller>



</smaller></fontfamily>=

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