This unrestored Landie is the antidote to the usual Scottsdale fare

By Lizzie Pope

| 7 Jan 2019

Classic & Sports Car – This Landie is the antidote to the usual Scottsdale fare

Think the Scottsdale sales and multi-million-dollar lovelies probably come to mind.

And, yes, there will be plenty of these crossing the block in 10 days, including a Porsche 904 GTS once owned by Robert Redford that has a pre-sale estimate of £1.1-1.3m.

But get past these shining stars and there’s a host of no-reserve lots that are well worth your time, including this 1965 Land-Rover Series IIA 88” Hardtop.

It has an enchanting patina, but this very original and unrestored example is solid and ready to be enjoyed.

And although it has no reserve, it’s thought it will go for a rather palatable £20-28,000.

Chassis number 244/25054-C is a left-hand-drive North American export model and is finished in Marine Blue, while plaid blankets cover what’s left of the elephant-hide vinyl seats in the seemingly original interior. There are matching body numbers on the door tops and bulkhead.

Power comes from a 2286cc, 77bhp ‘four’ and it’s thought this is the original unit, although there’s no engine number on the accompanying Heritage Certificate.

Either way, it’s ready for its next adventure, thanks to the four-speed manual transmission, two-speed transfer case, and front and rear live-axle suspension.

If you needed proof of this, it’s clear it has been living the life its maker intended, at least in the recent past.

It was bought by its previous owner in Montana in 1967, when on location shooting a film, after which it went to southern California, where it was last registered for road use in the mid ’80s.

A friend of the Land-Rover’s seller found it under a cover on a Californian estate, then returned it to the road via a comprehensive service and a new set of period-correct tyres.

Since then, its vendor has enjoyed around 5000 reliable miles behind the wheel, including a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway for 2018’s Monterey Car Week, and it’s been let loose on local mountain dirt roads, too.

It will be sold with a number of original, used or new spares, including a used overdrive unit, and some original tools.

We’re quite taken by this, but if this is far too conventional for you, have no fear! In the same sale is a 1946 Willys-Overland CJ-2A Jeep, again being offered without reserve.

Bonhams’ Scottsdale Auction is on 17 January at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa – find out more here.

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