This Land Rover 86 Series I was the subject of a refurbishment that was commissioned in 2006 by Land Rover enthusiast and motoring journalist Jerry Thurston. Dubbed ‘Jude’ due to its number plate, it was modified with various period-style upgrades including a Cox and Turner engine, a Dunsfold DLR-rebuilt gearbox and steering box, a Bearmach clutch and propshafts, a Richards Chassis galvanized frame, and overhauled suspension components. It was also repainted blue before it was acquired by the seller, the co-founder of Land Rover Monthly magazine, in 2007 and imported to the US in 2011. Service within the last six months is said to include rebuilding the carburetors and replacing the top canvas, fuel pump, master cylinder, and ignition coil. This Series I is now offered with a clean California title in the name of the seller.
The seller reports that the truck was disassembled and a replacement galvanized frame and bulkhead were sourced from Richards Chassis and Radford, respectively. The body was repainted blue at that time, and the canvas top was replaced within the last six months. Noted flaws include scratches, flaking on the door hinges, and wear in the load bed.
The truck rides on an 86″ wheelbase with body-color five-lug steel wheels wearing Power King tires, and a full-sized spare is stored in the rear compartment. The seller states that during the refurbishment a Dunsfold DLR-rebuilt steering box was fitted and the front axle swivels underwent a Railko conversion, and the following components where replaced:
- Brake drums, cylinders, and shoes
- Brake lines
- Front freewheel hubs
- Parabolic springs, pins, and shackles
- Shocks
Three individual front seats are trimmed in blue vinyl. The five-digit odometer was reset at the time of the overhaul and now shows 3,300.
The seller states that the engine was rebuilt by Cox and Turner with high-compression 3.0L-specification pistons, stronger connecting rods, a balanced rotating assembly, a ported head, a billet Piper camshaft, and SU carburetors equipped with K&N filters and mounted on an alloy intake manifold.
Service within the last six months is said to include rebuilding the carburetors and replacing the top canvas, fuel pump, master cylinder, and ignition coil.
The four-speed manual transmission delivers power to the rear or all four wheels through a two-speed transfer case. The gearbox was rebuilt by Dunsfold DLR according to the seller, who notes that a Fairey overdrive was installed along with a Bearmach clutch kit and propshafts. A second overdrive is included in the sale.
Images of various stages of the refurbishment are provided in the gallery below.
Service records are included in the sale along with an October 2007 issue of The Suffolk Land Rover Owners Club Magazine, which featured this Series 1 on the cover.
The truck is titled to serial number 57106013, which is stamped on the plate ahead of the shifters and on the frame at the front. Serial number 57107433 is also stamped on the chassis and shown in the gallery below.