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This section pulls together lots of historical information to help answer frequent questions about provenance and the way things were back when our Land Rovers rolled off the production line. You’ll find the original paint colours, a timeline of the more significant changes to the truck, annual price lists and lots more.
The timeline below highlights the major milestones over the production history of the Series II Land Rover. Events are marked by their official launch date, although in some instances, parts or even models were available before being officially documented. Full details of almost all developments are contained in our comprehensive collection of (near) monthly Service Newsletters, also available on this site.
| 1958 | February | Series II (88″ model) is announced in Glass’s Guide |
| March | Series II (109″ model) is announced, again in Glass’s | |
| 14 March | Production of Series II starts with 25 of each model type and variant built initially | |
| April | Official end of Series I production | |
| Land Rover Owners Club prints a detailed overview of new Series II | ||
| 9 April | Press reviews of the car start to appear, firstly in The Times | |
| 30 April | Official launch at the Amsterdam Motor Show, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the original (now ‘Series One’) Land Rover | |
| New model features chrome rimmed headlights, glass lens side and rear lights | ||
| Wheel track is 1.5″ wider than outgoing Series I, enabled by David Bache’s “barrel-sided” body panels | ||
| New side sills hid the exhaust, chassis and fuel tank | ||
| Other innovations include “proud” door hinges, | ||
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| 1961 | 1 September | Start of Series IIa Suffix A vehicle production |
| Bulkhead chassis plate incorporates new 8-digit chassis numbering system | ||
| October | Series IIa launched | |
| 2 1/4 Diesel engine introduced | ||
| Petrol engine mild redesign allows for common features (eg radiator cowl, water pump, front cover) across both engines | ||
| New ‘Lucarised’ wiring harness and components | ||
| Battery moved to under seat to allow for larger radiator on 2.25l diesel vehicles | ||
| December | Brake Servo conversion kit made available for 109″ petrol vehicles | |
| 1962 | Twelve seater Station Wagon introduced, the extra two seats qualifying the vehicle as a ‘bus’, thereby avoiding sales tax | |
| 21 September | Forward Control Land Rover launched at the Earls Court Commercial Motor Show, initially with the 2.25 litre petrol engine only | |
| June | MAP Freewheeling front hubs available as authorised optional extra | |
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A quick run down of battery and air cleaner locations.
Series 2, 2A & 3 standard 2 litre and 2.25 petrol civvy spec and military GS (12V) spec.
Battery under the bonnet at the right hand front corner with the air cleaner behind.
Note that the air cleaner on the 2 litre is slightly shorter than on the 2.25 & the retaining clamp is shorter to fit.
This is the layout we’re all most familiar with.
Series 2 2 litre diesel.
Twin 6V batteries mounted either side of the radiator, the additional LH tray being bolted directly to the chassis instead of sitting on welded on legs like the RH tray.
Air cleaner sits behind the right hand battery just like the petrol.
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Series 2 models (1958 to 1961)
Beige/Fawn
Bronze Green
Dark Grey
Light Green (Pastel Green)
Light Grey
Marine Blue
Poppy Red (fire engines only)
The roof, upper sides and upper rear panels on hard tops were painted in Off-white for all body colours.
On Station Wagons, the tropical roof was painted Off-white and the roof underneath was body colour.
Wheels were painted body colour for Bronze Green & Red bodies only, All other body colours had Off-white wheels.
(Bergers code SB2029)
Series 2A models (1961 to 1968)
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