Discover what a 1954 Land Rover Series 1 is like to live with on farm and around our local roads, plus find out what secrets hide under that iconic exterior.
I miss ours so much, we had the 2nd Land Rover in New Zealand, a 1952 86" as a baby bouncing around on my mothers lap while Dad drove, then off roading with Dad deerstalking with the trip home with animals tied over the bonnet, I always knew he meant business, and we were in for some fun when we stopped to move the red knob, in reflection the bright red & yellow knobs were oddly out of colour-context with the rest of the dead-robust vehicle. Sold to a wreckers for scrap in the mid 80's. Many many years later I wish we still had it. Fond memories. Thanks Harry 🙂
I was born in Toledo, Ohio home of the iconic Jeep brand. I purchased a used Land Rover LR3 last year and feel in love. I am ashamed to say that I will never drive anything else but a Land Rover ever again. I feel as if I am betraying my hometown; but you can't beat the versatility and beauty of a Land Rover. Larry and I truly live out our Go Anywhere attitude.
Guess Harry know what he is doing, but I'm with you on that one, I was raised on a farm, we had a old Massy 35 which occasionally need to be started with its handle if it kicked back and you had your thumbs wrapped around the handle they got broken. This was some 40 years ago, and I still cringe when Harry starts that LR like that, maybe it's different with a LR to a tractor. Harry has prob forgotten more about how machinery works than I ever learnt so I'm not going to criticise him. :) But some lessons are hard to forget. :)
My Dad bought 1952 a Series 1 80'" in 1954. He had a hill country farm in New Zealand. It was the only farm vehicle he had until he retired in 1981. We learnt to drive in it, loved it. The only heating was air from the motor blowing through holes in the firewall for the lefthand drive conversion. In low gear low range it would go anywhere. Had a hand throttle on the dash and you could set it going in low gear hop out and run back to the trailer and feed out hay while she idled across the paddock, then run back and turn around . He keep her after he sold the farm and later offered her to me, but as we had a new baby and nowhere to keep her to my everlasting regret I said no. He sold her to a couple of hunters, a new battery and coil and she started first turn f the key after 15 years!
Harry, this has to be one of the most delightful and endearing reviews of a Land Rover that I've ever seen! From your brief history of the Series 1, the walk-through of it's features / idiosyncrasies, the road test, and (my goodness - those delightful cows!) the grassy hillclimb demonstration, this is definitely going to be one of my favorite CZcams videos for certain! Thank you so much for making this one! I understand a bit more why the Series 1 has such polarizing effect on people. Cheers!
John Smith Hey, John Smith, what year is your Land Rover Defender? Was it built before the Indian group Tata took over Land Rover, or was it built when the company was still British owned? Do you think there are any quality issues with the later Defenders with the Indian Tata group ownership?
cybergellan My current, road legal drive is a 1988 90 with a 1998 rebuilt 300tdi engine out of a Discovery which I rolled and scrapped. I also have several others, 90 & 110 in various boxes and garages & am looking at buying another Disco I in the spring.. So far as I can tell, with Defenders anyway, the build quality and standards remain the same as they always were, mainly because they are still built in the West Midlands by many of the same people..
John Smith Thanks, John. Just wish Land Rover was still British-owned not Indian. Land Rover is such a British icon. They're going to stop making the Defender, right? What a shame. Which would you suggest to get -- a fairly recent Defender 90 (I'm still concerned about quality issues because the Indian Tata group took over the company) or a two-door Jeep Wrangler?
cybergellan I think you'd be hard pressed to buy a new Defender now. I understand all production models are sold even before they are finished and the specials and limited editions probably likewise. Depending upon where you live you might look at a ten year old Defender but not if you are in the USA where they remain illegal. Older 90's and 110's can be imported so long as they are over 25 years old and in "original condition". Disco I's are cheap, at least in the UK but how good is your welding? I wouldn't pay very much at all for anything I couldn't test drive and knew at least some of the history of. All parts can still be bought for Landies. New parts right back to the 1050's, from the chassis up are still available. You would be buying into history, into a cult, so sorry but Jeep Wranglers don't come anywhere near.
I first watched this vidio about 3 years ago. At the time I drove a 2009 2.4 TDci Defender. "WOW!" Talk about a Life Changer!. Harry, it Really got me thinking about Series 1 Machines. I Sold my Defender (and yes I felt like a traitor) and bought the best Series 1 I could afford. Not pristeen and only about 30% original. 200TDi engine and mostly Series 3 running Gear. But "WHAT" a MACHINE!!!!!!!!! I Love it to bits!!!!!!!! Snow and Ice don't exsist, no hill is too much, up or down. I could do 80MPH but never stop in time if I had to (Drum brakes). She is so usable. Also She gets comments where ever I go with Her. This Video changed My Life Harry. Thank you Soooooo much. I have never had so much fun Driving a car. To be honest, I had started to find Driving a bit boring. Even in my Defender. But I could never find this 1955 86" Series 1 Boring! Switch off for a few seconds and you are crashing. Ha! That wakes you up. Thanks Harry, Love your videos. Please do one on Land Rover WOLFS (90 or 110). God Bless and Stay Safe. Gerard Cleary.
In 1984 I imported from Doncaster UK here to the US, a series 1, 1956 yr. L/R. I performed a 2 year ground-up body-off-frame restoration to a pristine condition. I rebuilt the engine/transfer case/gearbox/brakes and all ancillary parts & installed a Fairy overdrive. Had a great time driving it for a year then sold it. Boy do I miss that machine!! Think twice guys if you think you want to sell a vehicle like this as you WILL regret it 10 or 20 years from now. Hold onto any rare item, be it auto, boat, stereo...anything vintage!
What a delightful machine, Harry! We had a LWB version in Tasmania, Australia, during the 1970s and I still remember sitting in the bonnet-mounted spare tyre as my father drove it several hundred metres down a creek in our central highlands. I suspect that they’re actually less sophisticated than a mower but how capable!
Absolutely love the old Rovers. I have a 1960 S2 that is in phenominal condition. I drive it around town as well as offroad and it turns more heads than any other vehicle on the road. Of course I am from the States so we do not see these much at all. Love your S1 and this was a great video. Thanks Mate!!
Just come across your videos via my love of old Land Rovers, and as someone who grew up in the 80's had to watch the others, I only have funds for a small collection (Corvette, Sinclair C5 & Series Land Rover) but the Countach and Testarossa were obviously the dream cars of my era (just add an Alfa SZ for my dream Italian line up) I was worried it would just be some rich bloke showing off, I'm happy I was proved so wrong, I love your presentation, enthusiasm and knowledge for the subject, so refreshing, they really show the detail and experience that most of us will never get for real. The one experience you reminded me of though was filling up my old Landy a few years ago and being ex MOD had tanks under both driver and passenger seats, I actually had the cashier switch off all pumps and call the police as she believed I was filling the inside up with fuel to blow the place up...
Call the police, really? Why she didn't ask you first what the hell are you doing? That would've been sufficient, if you didn't look like a raving lunatic otherwise...
I'm so thoroughly delighted to have stumbled upon your channel, Harry. I love your enthusiasm, and joy of sharing. I shall follow you faithfully from here on out. Also enjoyable is the beautiful countryside that your reviews showcase so well. Thank you ever so much.
Fantastic video, thanks for taking the time to film the Land Rover. They might be noisy, but what a fantastic sound - I particularly like the transmission whine. As a Series 3 owner, your comments with regards being overtaken by trucks made me smile - which is what the Series Rover does best.... Thanks again - happy Rovering!
I went on a road trip once with a friend who had one of those, up to the Bogong High Plains. This brought back many happy memories. Loved this video - thanks.
Harry Metcalfe is the bomb!!! I could watch this guy all day. He is so informative, and I love how he goes into extensive detail on the most minuscule of things... Great video Harry Keep it up!!!
Great video, reminded me of the lovely 1954 86" we had for many years before it finally succumbed to rust a while back. Wonderful to see all the little details like the starting ritual, 4wd and low range leavers, full filler under the seat, choke light, and those epic windscreen wipers. We also had the 'floppy ear' indicators on the A frame though they were an early victim of the rust caused by being by the sea. Really fun car to drive, as Harry said they are almost unstoppable, as kids we learned to drive on sand dunes in our Landrover (433 EXO) and never got bogged down. The lack of synchromesh on the gear box taught us how to double de-clutch up and down the gearbox, a smooth gear change was a highpoint of the holiday. Thanks Harry, as you can probably tell your video bought back lots of great memories :-)
Beautiful old girl. I've just finished restoring my 1971 series 2a here in New Zealand, my dad had various land rover series 2's and 2a's during his time in forestry in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia and my uncle in South Wales had a tidy series 3 so I've always had a bit of an obsession with them.
I bought a reconditioned 108" Defender (original owner drove it to a standstill in a field and traded it with his dealer for a new one) and shipped home to Jamaica with a crate full of legit spares in the back. The local mountainfolk referred to these vehicles as "fucking British warship" which could not be defeated. Loved it, developed my shoulder muscles; gear stick broke off, but managed to get home in second; sold it when my wife declared herself defeated (bought a rusty 351 Cleveland engine Mustang Grande - we both loved that despite cylinders 7 & 8 often misbehaving!)
Nobody on CZcams has such a diverse range of videos. From a Testarossa with an outboard and I eye of the partridge champagne in the front To a rattling old shitbox that won’t do 60. Harry you are a legend mate.
I've been a passenger in an old land rover on many occasions and this brought back many fond (and slightly nervous) memories. Great video, wonderful car. Thanks, Chris
Congratulations for another spectacular review, Harry. I've got to admit, I never thought this would be an interesting review for me to watch, being myself more of a supercar fancier. However, it turned out that the unique way you have to share with us, viewers, your passion and vast knowledge about all those details, actually made me fall in love with the simplicity and reliabilty of old Land Rovers. Furthermore, I'm looking forward to see your next review (hope it's something more like a Porsche Carrera GT or something). To finish, it would be incredible if you could test a proper GT car by coming over to Portugal! Cheers!
Thank you for a very nice presentation, Harry! I used to drive one of these too, when I was a youth, so this brings back sooo many memories. I think it was a slightly newer Series I model I drove, probably 1956. The car wasn't mine, it belonged to a friend; but he didn't hold a drivers license at the time, and I did. We had lots of fun with it, both on and off roads. I remember that there was always something wrong with it, always something amiss; but it never stopped, not ever! - it just kept on running. Later, when I had my training to be an officer in the army, I got introduced to an even more astounding field vehicle: The L-3314N "Volvo feltvogn" (or "Volvo field vehicle", in English). Even if the official name is Lapplander, here in Scandinavia it is more commonly known as the "Valp" (meaning "puppy), "Volvo felt" ("felt" meaning "field"), or also "Folvo velt" ("velt" meaning "tipping over"). Because of its narrow axle width and big wheels, it was prone to tip over when driven across very slanting terrain. But it could take much more than you'd think; I never tipped over in it (though I thought was going to, many times!), nor did anyone else of my comrades who were in their right minds. And I became extremely impressed of what these vehicles could do. They could take a lot more of beating than the driver could, tackle bigger challenges, and still get there. And work. Day in, day out. So, if you like the Land Rover Series I, you'll probably love the Volvo L-3314! It's as good, if not better, in terms of simplicity, ruggedness, reliability and fun, as the Land Rover S1. And it will take you places where the Land Rover probably can't go! I have never driven a wheeled vehicle that could do off road work like it could. The only terrain vehicle I know till this date that surpasses it, is the Volvo BV-202 - but that's belt driven, so it's not a fair comparision. Here's a clip on how it performs in the field: czcams.com/video/CADPP_3_UUI/video.html And here is some more info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_L3314
Heyyy. My first Landie I bought out of a farm yard with chucks in the tray.. 5 Quid. as is. Change oils. Clean fuel.wheels/tyres.Battery.plugs. Canvas canopy and frame. 1.5ltr SIDE VALVE engine with permanent 4wd. Hi'Lo and 4 spd box. Tray was about 18inches long.. Could almost reach back and touch the tailgate from drivers seat. It started on third push of button. Brush painted army green paint. Looked quite neat. I used it for towing a 15ft caravan round uK.Wales on Gas pipelines for around 2 yrs b4 selling and buying a 2 ltr Petrol Hard top shorty. It towed that van all over Wales up and down the mountains. usually around 15 mph. 43mph downhill on a windy day. Wish I had the old dear nowadays.
My Series 3 had under seat tanks and the cashier at Sainsburys once came out to see what I was doing with the nozzle before she switched the pump on. 50 mph was always a target speed and met with whoops of joy. Lovely, well made video of the superb Series 1.
This video brought back memories of my my 1st car which was a yellow S2A truck cab Landry. Used to use the crank handle on cold morning to start it as it would just never start with battery until it was warm. Great car that I eventually sold to one of my friends for use on his farm.
My Dad would have just loved this video. Dad and I restored a Series 1, 86 inch, 1956 Land Rover. Looks just like the one in the video, but without the second wiper and heater. 👍👍👍
Stumbled upon this video, reminded me of my early days on a farm driving around rhe fields. Didnt appreciate the LR then. Would love ro own and drive one now.
320 likes and ZERO dislike, this is the respect that Harry should definitely deserve. I always can learn a lot from his video, so plz keep posting watever review you like Harry! BTW, I really want to know wat kinda cars you got from latest RM auction!
That is the most entertaining car review video I have ever seen. No, that is one of the most entertaining videos of any sort I’ve ever seen. It is JUST like driving my 1969 Frazier Jeep; slow, noisy, bouncy, and uncomfortable but very, very capable. When people ask me about it I tell them it is, essentially, an agricultural implement, so to be prepared. I love Land Rovers (on my second Discovery I now) and was hoping he would show how the RR did on that slope and he did not disappoint. My Jeep is for sale but he reminds me of everything I like about it and it gives me pause.
Thanks for a great video. I got to off-road my first Land Rover in 1971-72 and fell in love with it. The second one I got to off-road was in the early 90s and it was a Defender 90 soft top. It was an amazing vehicle. Never owned one though.
I would prefer this Landy over all the other cars in your driveway! Why can’t they build something simple like this again. My friend’s 1954 XK120 is almost as simple as this. I have owned a Corvette, restored a vintage Jag XJ6L. I have worked on and played with several Ferraris, ( including an original Daytona Spyder). We currently have a Jeep that we use for mild overlanding and mountain trips, much like you use this LR. Vintage Land Rovers are very scarce and very expensive here in the U.S.. I’m afraid our Jeep is as close as I’ll come to owning a “Real” Land Rover. Motor on!👍
Loved the video. Learnt to drive around in an even older one when I was 12. My father told me not to hook my thumbs over the starting handle like that in case it kicked back and broke them. So you be careful!
This is lovely, I remember when I worked at the solihull plant ‘81 - ‘83, in the ‘Car Dispatch’ department looking at the production ledgers, going back to the first prototypes off the line and then the vehicles for home market. BTW, an open palm swing is advisable when hand cranking, stops it breaking/dislocating your thumb. Sweet. Oh and it would have been a disgrace if the RR hadn’t made it up the hill, my old 80 Series 1995 Land Cruiser wouldn’t have batted an eyelash at that 👍🏻🇷🇴🇬🇧
What a lovely old beast (the Landy, I mean!). I have fond memories of bashing around the Kalahari during the early 70s in a Series 2 LWB; also a visit to the factory in 1977, when each one being built was different and they pushed them from one station to the next on railway lines. Thanks, as always, Harry.
I quite like this video too! Not sure why but guess it might have something to do with a Series 1 review being so very different to the regular type of car review others do on CZcams..
Agreed Harry. I love & watch ALL your videos, but this is one of my favourites - you can't help keep coming back to this one: it's fun, iconic, full of enthusiasm, and as you say different. (And as someone else suggested, get hold of an old 2CV or Dyane, and do the same thing - it'll bring back memories for you...!) Kind regards.
I really enjoyed this vid. See the enthusiasm. You can't help but have soft spot for the icon. I am like Toad of Toad Hall when it comes to Series Ones. I have owned and driven daily my 1956 model for 39 years. Part of my life. Such a work horse. Charles (and noticing the comment below I own and use a Ferguson TE20 Continental from 1948, another icon - they kind of go together)
Bloody good looking cows. My father always told me that the best way to judge the character of a farmer is to look at the state of their animals. Good on you!
Thank you for the review, it brought back some memories. Used to help my father start the family car using the "handle". It also had a carburetor (Weber, we were lucky not to have Solex) and the mechanically timed ignition. The fuel pump was "mechanical"...so to start the engine you had to pump the acceleration a couple of times (hence I guess its name "gas pedal"), but not much, otherwise you would flood the carburetor, then keep it pressed, turn the ignition key on (keep it turned) and start pumping again at the gas pedal as the engine starts rotating, until it rotates on its own. Oh, the "choke"...usually used during cold weather and with less gas pedal pumping. With the choke in use, the fuel consumption was sky high...15-17 l/100km...a lot for a 1300cmc engine.
Thanks for the videos. I am so glad that you continue to make videos. You tell the story in such a way that it comes alive. One of the best presenters of all time.
Love this video! Would love to own one of these classic Land Rovers but here in the States, it would be a nightmare to insure, drive on public roads and even fix. I will just reserve myself to watching other folks enjoy their classic Rovers.
Replying to a very old comment, but it's so wrong that I have to speak up. I live in Connecticut, drive my old Landy every day, parts are very readily available, and I pay around $200 a year to insure it....the cheapest car in my fleet....
I miss ours so much, we had the 2nd Land Rover in New Zealand, a 1952 86" as a baby bouncing around on my mothers lap while Dad drove, then off roading with Dad deerstalking with the trip home with animals tied over the bonnet, I always knew he meant business, and we were in for some fun when we stopped to move the red knob, in reflection the bright red & yellow knobs were oddly out of colour-context with the rest of the dead-robust
vehicle. Sold to a wreckers for scrap in the mid 80's. Many many years later I wish we still had it. Fond memories. Thanks Harry 🙂
It runs on anything, "that's vaguely flammable" - got me on that one! :D
Just like my MSR Dragonfly stove 👍
Ironically they did and so did a few other marques.
I was born in Toledo, Ohio home of the iconic Jeep brand. I purchased a used Land Rover LR3 last year and feel in love. I am ashamed to say that I will never drive anything else but a Land Rover ever again. I feel as if I am betraying my hometown; but you can't beat the versatility and beauty of a Land Rover. Larry and I truly live out our Go Anywhere attitude.
Older Jeep's(same era) had ditto quality to them, besides they'r cool as they come! 👍🏼😃(...who the heck is "Larry" anyway??)
As being of the same generation, I was alway taught, keep your thumbs back, starting with the handle!
Yes, Did not like that much.
Guess Harry know what he is doing, but I'm with you on that one, I was raised on a farm, we had a old Massy 35 which occasionally need to be started with its handle if it kicked back and you had your thumbs wrapped around the handle they got broken.
This was some 40 years ago, and I still cringe when Harry starts that LR like that, maybe it's different with a LR to a tractor. Harry has prob forgotten more about how machinery works than I ever learnt so I'm not going to criticise him. :) But some lessons are hard to forget. :)
Yup. If it kicks back, you can dislocate your thumbs.
Came to say just that.
Absolutely love it.Wonderful to see such a fantastic machine still being used as intended.
My Dad bought 1952 a Series 1 80'" in 1954. He had a hill country farm in New Zealand. It was the only farm vehicle he had until he retired in 1981. We learnt to drive in it, loved it. The only heating was air from the motor blowing through holes in the firewall for the lefthand drive conversion. In low gear low range it would go anywhere. Had a hand throttle on the dash and you could set it going in low gear hop out and run back to the trailer and feed out hay while she idled across the paddock, then run back and turn around . He keep her after he sold the farm and later offered her to me, but as we had a new baby and nowhere to keep her to my everlasting regret I said no. He sold her to a couple of hunters, a new battery and coil and she started first turn f the key after 15 years!
Buy her back!!
If anyone ever doubts that the Land Rover isn’t a car but a road legal piece of farm machinery this video will put them straight. Marvellous.
And for me 8 years later… Nice review Harry!
Harry, this has to be one of the most delightful and endearing reviews of a Land Rover that I've ever seen! From your brief history of the Series 1, the walk-through of it's features / idiosyncrasies, the road test, and (my goodness - those delightful cows!) the grassy hillclimb demonstration, this is definitely going to be one of my favorite CZcams videos for certain! Thank you so much for making this one! I understand a bit more why the Series 1 has such polarizing effect on people. Cheers!
I did my mechanics training in the army mostly on these. Brilliant vehicles.
As a 90 owner I am very pleased to see a Landie twice as old as my own still being used as it was originally meant to be.
Hell yeah!
John Smith
Hey, John Smith, what year is your Land Rover Defender? Was it built before the Indian group Tata took over Land Rover, or was it built when the company was still British owned?
Do you think there are any quality issues with the later Defenders with the Indian Tata group ownership?
cybergellan
My current, road legal drive is a 1988 90 with a 1998 rebuilt 300tdi engine out of a Discovery which I rolled and scrapped. I also have several others, 90 & 110 in various boxes and garages & am looking at buying another Disco I in the spring.. So far as I can tell, with Defenders anyway, the build quality and standards remain the same as they always were, mainly because they are still built in the West Midlands by many of the same people..
John Smith
Thanks, John.
Just wish Land Rover was still British-owned not Indian. Land Rover is such a British icon.
They're going to stop making the Defender, right? What a shame. Which would you suggest to get -- a fairly recent Defender 90 (I'm still concerned about quality issues because the Indian Tata group took over the company) or a two-door Jeep Wrangler?
cybergellan
I think you'd be hard pressed to buy a new Defender now. I understand all production models are sold even before they are finished and the specials and limited editions probably likewise. Depending upon where you live you might look at a ten year old Defender but not if you are in the USA where they remain illegal. Older 90's and 110's can be imported so long as they are over 25 years old and in "original condition". Disco I's are cheap, at least in the UK but how good is your welding?
I wouldn't pay very much at all for anything I couldn't test drive and knew at least some of the history of. All parts can still be bought for Landies. New parts right back to the 1050's, from the chassis up are still available. You would be buying into history, into a cult, so sorry but Jeep Wranglers don't come anywhere near.
FANTASTIC MACHINE , NOTHING LIKE A LAND ROVER
I first watched this vidio about 3 years ago. At the time I drove a 2009 2.4 TDci Defender. "WOW!" Talk about a Life Changer!. Harry, it Really got me thinking about Series 1 Machines. I Sold my Defender (and yes I felt like a traitor) and bought the best Series 1 I could afford. Not pristeen and only about 30% original. 200TDi engine and mostly Series 3 running Gear. But "WHAT" a MACHINE!!!!!!!!! I Love it to bits!!!!!!!! Snow and Ice don't exsist, no hill is too much, up or down. I could do 80MPH but never stop
in time if I had to (Drum brakes). She is so usable. Also She gets comments where ever I go with Her. This Video changed My
Life Harry. Thank you Soooooo much. I have never had so much fun Driving a car. To be honest, I had started to find Driving a
bit boring. Even in my Defender. But I could never find this 1955 86" Series 1 Boring! Switch off for a few seconds and you are crashing. Ha! That wakes you up. Thanks Harry, Love your videos. Please do one on Land Rover WOLFS (90 or 110).
God Bless and Stay Safe. Gerard Cleary.
In 1984 I imported from Doncaster UK here to the US, a series 1, 1956 yr. L/R. I performed a 2 year ground-up body-off-frame restoration to a pristine condition. I rebuilt the engine/transfer case/gearbox/brakes and all ancillary parts & installed a Fairy overdrive. Had a great time driving it for a year then sold it. Boy do I miss that machine!! Think twice guys if you think you want to sell a vehicle like this as you WILL regret it 10 or 20 years from now. Hold onto any rare item, be it auto, boat, stereo...anything vintage!
What a delightful machine, Harry! We had a LWB version in Tasmania, Australia, during the 1970s and I still remember sitting in the bonnet-mounted spare tyre as my father drove it several hundred metres down a creek in our central highlands. I suspect that they’re actually less sophisticated than a mower but how capable!
This has become my all-time favorite review of any channel. I keep coming back to it
Absolutely love the old Rovers. I have a 1960 S2 that is in phenominal condition. I drive it around town as well as offroad and it turns more heads than any other vehicle on the road. Of course I am from the States so we do not see these much at all. Love your S1 and this was a great video. Thanks Mate!!
Just come across your videos via my love of old Land Rovers, and as someone who grew up in the 80's had to watch the others, I only have funds for a small collection (Corvette, Sinclair C5 & Series Land Rover) but the Countach and Testarossa were obviously the dream cars of my era (just add an Alfa SZ for my dream Italian line up) I was worried it would just be some rich bloke showing off, I'm happy I was proved so wrong, I love your presentation, enthusiasm and knowledge for the subject, so refreshing, they really show the detail and experience that most of us will never get for real. The one experience you reminded me of though was filling up my old Landy a few years ago and being ex MOD had tanks under both driver and passenger seats, I actually had the cashier switch off all pumps and call the police as she believed I was filling the inside up with fuel to blow the place up...
Call the police, really? Why she didn't ask you first what the hell are you doing? That would've been sufficient, if you didn't look like a raving lunatic otherwise...
Thank you Harry for the lovely Series 1 viewing & demonstration. Fabulous vehicle.
I love how you got to 55mph and said "its to much" :)
The steering lash and brakes mean that it just can't handle it. You feel like you're going much faster.
I'm so thoroughly delighted to have stumbled upon your channel, Harry. I love your enthusiasm, and joy of sharing. I shall follow you faithfully from here on out. Also enjoyable is the beautiful countryside that your reviews showcase so well. Thank you ever so much.
This brings back a lot of memories.
A beautiful Land Rover. Thanks for posting!
"It's a good tool for taking people down to the pub. And things like that." Excellent.
Fantastic video, thanks for taking the time to film the Land Rover. They might be noisy, but what a fantastic sound - I particularly like the transmission whine.
As a Series 3 owner, your comments with regards being overtaken by trucks made me smile - which is what the Series Rover does best....
Thanks again - happy Rovering!
Great review of an awesome vehicle.
wonder if your series 3 would get up that hill
I went on a road trip once with a friend who had one of those, up to the Bogong High Plains. This brought back many happy memories. Loved this video - thanks.
What a lovely endearing machine!
Harry Metcalfe is the bomb!!! I could watch this guy all day. He is so informative, and I love how he goes into extensive detail on the most minuscule of things... Great video Harry Keep it up!!!
True Landrover guys always show off the underside!
Great video, reminded me of the lovely 1954 86" we had for many years before it finally succumbed to rust a while back. Wonderful to see all the little details like the starting ritual, 4wd and low range leavers, full filler under the seat, choke light, and those epic windscreen wipers. We also had the 'floppy ear' indicators on the A frame though they were an early victim of the rust caused by being by the sea. Really fun car to drive, as Harry said they are almost unstoppable, as kids we learned to drive on sand dunes in our Landrover (433 EXO) and never got bogged down. The lack of synchromesh on the gear box taught us how to double de-clutch up and down the gearbox, a smooth gear change was a highpoint of the holiday.
Thanks Harry, as you can probably tell your video bought back lots of great memories :-)
Beautiful old girl. I've just finished restoring my 1971 series 2a here in New Zealand, my dad had various land rover series 2's and 2a's during his time in forestry in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia and my uncle in South Wales had a tidy series 3 so I've always had a bit of an obsession with them.
I bought a reconditioned 108" Defender (original owner drove it to a standstill in a field and traded it with his dealer for a new one) and shipped home to Jamaica with a crate full of legit spares in the back. The local mountainfolk referred to these vehicles as "fucking British warship" which could not be defeated. Loved it, developed my shoulder muscles; gear stick broke off, but managed to get home in second; sold it when my wife declared herself defeated (bought a rusty 351 Cleveland engine Mustang Grande - we both loved that despite cylinders 7 & 8 often misbehaving!)
Have just found this what a tool to have on the farm 50 years old and steel yousd Dayl thanks great video
Harry. Thank you. Thank you. There is nothing on earth not even a g wagon could test this 60 year old superior.
Remember my late Dad driving most Land Rovers with the TA unit light weight was my favourite. Only car what kept me awake lol
That is a one lovely Land Rover and one of the best reviews ever watched on CZcams. Thank you, keep it up!
Harry, you've made my day with this amazing machine! I wish cars were this easy to work on these days. What a charming LR 86.
I love the landrover and it nice to see it actually gets used
That thing is ALL BUSINESS. I love it! Very informative. Thank you.
Great video, Harry. I love the way you explain everything in minute detail - it means we actually learn things :)
Definetely much respect.
Nobody on CZcams has such a diverse range of videos. From a Testarossa with an outboard and I eye of the partridge champagne in the front To a rattling old shitbox that won’t do 60. Harry you are a legend mate.
I absolutely love your videos. Thank God you're back. Cannot wait for the Testarossa and 930 Turbo!
Hello again Harry. My father was born in 1908 and was in the RAF for 30 years. He rose to the position of Flight left Tenant and drove this lan
I've been a passenger in an old land rover on many occasions and this brought back many fond (and slightly nervous) memories. Great video, wonderful car. Thanks, Chris
Congratulations for another spectacular review, Harry. I've got to admit, I never thought this would be an interesting review for me to watch, being myself more of a supercar fancier. However, it turned out that the unique way you have to share with us, viewers, your passion and vast knowledge about all those details, actually made me fall in love with the simplicity and reliabilty of old Land Rovers. Furthermore, I'm looking forward to see your next review (hope it's something more like a Porsche Carrera GT or something). To finish, it would be incredible if you could test a proper GT car by coming over to Portugal! Cheers!
Thank you for a very nice presentation, Harry! I used to drive one of these too, when I was a youth, so this brings back sooo many memories. I think it was a slightly newer Series I model I drove, probably 1956. The car wasn't mine, it belonged to a friend; but he didn't hold a drivers license at the time, and I did. We had lots of fun with it, both on and off roads. I remember that there was always something wrong with it, always something amiss; but it never stopped, not ever! - it just kept on running.
Later, when I had my training to be an officer in the army, I got introduced to an even more astounding field vehicle: The L-3314N "Volvo feltvogn" (or "Volvo field vehicle", in English). Even if the official name is Lapplander, here in Scandinavia it is more commonly known as the "Valp" (meaning "puppy), "Volvo felt" ("felt" meaning "field"), or also "Folvo velt" ("velt" meaning "tipping over"). Because of its narrow axle width and big wheels, it was prone to tip over when driven across very slanting terrain. But it could take much more than you'd think; I never tipped over in it (though I thought was going to, many times!), nor did anyone else of my comrades who were in their right minds. And I became extremely impressed of what these vehicles could do. They could take a lot more of beating than the driver could, tackle bigger challenges, and still get there. And work. Day in, day out.
So, if you like the Land Rover Series I, you'll probably love the Volvo L-3314! It's as good, if not better, in terms of simplicity, ruggedness, reliability and fun, as the Land Rover S1. And it will take you places where the Land Rover probably can't go! I have never driven a wheeled vehicle that could do off road work like it could. The only terrain vehicle I know till this date that surpasses it, is the Volvo BV-202 - but that's belt driven, so it's not a fair comparision.
Here's a clip on how it performs in the field:
czcams.com/video/CADPP_3_UUI/video.html
And here is some more info:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_L3314
I'm so glad this channel happened. Great video!
Heyyy.
My first Landie I bought out of a farm yard with chucks in the tray.. 5 Quid. as is.
Change oils. Clean fuel.wheels/tyres.Battery.plugs. Canvas canopy and frame.
1.5ltr SIDE VALVE engine with permanent 4wd. Hi'Lo and 4 spd box.
Tray was about 18inches long.. Could almost reach back and touch the tailgate from drivers seat.
It started on third push of button. Brush painted army green paint.
Looked quite neat.
I used it for towing a 15ft caravan round uK.Wales on Gas pipelines for around 2 yrs
b4 selling and buying a 2 ltr Petrol Hard top shorty.
It towed that van all over Wales up and down the mountains. usually around 15 mph.
43mph downhill on a windy day.
Wish I had the old dear nowadays.
My Series 3 had under seat tanks and the cashier at Sainsburys once came out to see what I was doing with the nozzle before she switched the pump on. 50 mph was always a target speed and met with whoops of joy. Lovely, well made video of the superb Series 1.
I can listen/watch this all day! Loved it.
Great Harry! Good to see you again.
Entertaining, informative and hilarious in parts. Loved it!
Does it talk.... what a gem.
Brilliant review and a beautiful landie, thanks for posting this 👍👏👏👍
This video brought back memories of my my 1st car which was a yellow S2A truck cab Landry. Used to use the crank handle on cold morning to start it as it would just never start with battery until it was warm. Great car that I eventually sold to one of my friends for use on his farm.
10:30 - I love how the fuel meter is bobbing along. Good show!
outstanding set of rovers, and a lovely set of buildings. Thanks for sharing. Cheers
My Dad would have just loved this video. Dad and I restored a Series 1, 86 inch, 1956 Land Rover. Looks just like the one in the video, but without the second wiper and heater. 👍👍👍
Its cool learning about this suff because i am soon “restoring” mine with a TD5(discovery 2 engine) with and converted 80’ discovery 2 chasis
.. cows interested in cars ..
Oh, the beauty of a LR and that Land Rover sound of my childhood...
... the Love of my life... miss you.
Stumbled upon this video, reminded me of my early days on a farm driving around rhe fields. Didnt appreciate the LR then. Would love ro own and drive one now.
Fabulous. Catching up with all these mid 2021 :)
320 likes and ZERO dislike, this is the respect that Harry should definitely deserve. I always can learn a lot from his video, so plz keep posting watever review you like Harry! BTW, I really want to know wat kinda cars you got from latest RM auction!
Great video Harry! I've always been fascinated by the old time simple mechanics. The way you just see how everything works =)
I have a 1982 Land Rover series three short wheel base and I thought it tough to drive but after watching This it seems like I am in a car of luxury
My series 3 is exactly like that!
Having driven all the series and defenders
Love your show
Thoroughly enjoyed that. A welcome return.
That is the most entertaining car review video I have ever seen. No, that is one of the most entertaining videos of any sort I’ve ever seen. It is JUST like driving my 1969 Frazier Jeep; slow, noisy, bouncy, and uncomfortable but very, very capable. When people ask me about it I tell them it is, essentially, an agricultural implement, so to be prepared. I love Land Rovers (on my second Discovery I now) and was hoping he would show how the RR did on that slope and he did not disappoint. My Jeep is for sale but he reminds me of everything I like about it and it gives me pause.
Just sat smiling all the way through the video. Thanks for sharing this lovely car
One of the best Series reviews ever., loved all the cows. I have a 109, love these old Landy's. Thank you Sir, truly enjoyed.
An excellent in depth tour of the series 1. Really great to see and hear and experience the vehicle. Brilliant.
2021 . This is the best LR review ever. Better than that P400 😃
Equal love for anything with 12 cylinders and exotic AND a series 1 Landy.... LOVE your channel Harry!
Your videos are always worth watching.
Thanks Harry.
I just love that fuel gauge.
Ah lovely - what a wonderful vehicle.
Thanks for a great video. I got to off-road my first Land Rover in 1971-72 and fell in love with it. The second one I got to off-road was in the early 90s and it was a Defender 90 soft top. It was an amazing vehicle. Never owned one though.
I would prefer this Landy over all the other cars in your driveway! Why can’t they build something simple like this again. My friend’s 1954 XK120 is almost as simple as this. I have owned a Corvette, restored a vintage Jag XJ6L. I have worked on and played with several Ferraris, ( including an original Daytona Spyder).
We currently have a Jeep that we use for mild overlanding and mountain trips, much like you use this LR. Vintage Land Rovers are very scarce and very expensive here in the U.S.. I’m afraid our Jeep is as close as I’ll come to owning a “Real” Land Rover.
Motor on!👍
he's back, and he's played a blinder!
so glad to see you doing these videos again Harry. they're utterly brilliant - more please!
0:36 "It has the sophistication of probably just above one of my garden mowers" 🤣
Loved the video. Learnt to drive around in an even older one when I was 12. My father told me not to hook my thumbs over the starting handle like that in case it kicked back and broke them. So you be careful!
This might be my new favourite video.
This is lovely, I remember when I worked at the solihull plant ‘81 - ‘83, in the ‘Car Dispatch’ department looking at the production ledgers, going back to the first prototypes off the line and then the vehicles for home market. BTW, an open palm swing is advisable when hand cranking, stops it breaking/dislocating your thumb.
Sweet.
Oh and it would have been a disgrace if the RR hadn’t made it up the hill, my old 80 Series 1995 Land Cruiser wouldn’t have batted an eyelash at that 👍🏻🇷🇴🇬🇧
Thanks for sharing your automotive life with us.
What a lovely old beast (the Landy, I mean!). I have fond memories of bashing around the Kalahari during the early 70s in a Series 2 LWB; also a visit to the factory in 1977, when each one being built was different and they pushed them from one station to the next on railway lines. Thanks, as always, Harry.
Fabulous Land Rover mate 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧
Must have watched this vid 5 times now, big fans here at Club86!
I quite like this video too!
Not sure why but guess it might have something to do with a Series 1 review being so very different to the regular type of car review others do on CZcams..
Agreed Harry. I love & watch ALL your videos, but this is one of my favourites - you can't help keep coming back to this one: it's fun, iconic, full of enthusiasm, and as you say different. (And as someone else suggested, get hold of an old 2CV or Dyane, and do the same thing - it'll bring back memories for you...!) Kind regards.
What a great little car! Noble as a good dog!
Wonderful, You go into such detail without sounding nerdy. I too have great a passion for cars, very hard explaining it to non car people.
What a lovely video. Nice to have you back Harry!
What a brilliant video, thank you.
I really enjoyed this vid. See the enthusiasm. You can't help but have soft spot for the icon. I am like Toad of Toad Hall when it comes to Series Ones. I have owned and driven daily my 1956 model for 39 years. Part of my life. Such a work horse. Charles (and noticing the comment below I own and use a Ferguson TE20 Continental from 1948, another icon - they kind of go together)
Bloody good looking cows. My father always told me that the best way to judge the character of a farmer is to look at the state of their animals. Good on you!
Thank you for the review, it brought back some memories.
Used to help my father start the family car using the "handle". It also had a carburetor (Weber, we were lucky not to have Solex) and the mechanically timed ignition.
The fuel pump was "mechanical"...so to start the engine you had to pump the acceleration a couple of times (hence I guess its name "gas pedal"), but not much, otherwise you would flood the carburetor, then keep it pressed, turn the ignition key on (keep it turned) and start pumping again at the gas pedal as the engine starts rotating, until it rotates on its own.
Oh, the "choke"...usually used during cold weather and with less gas pedal pumping. With the choke in use, the fuel consumption was sky high...15-17 l/100km...a lot for a 1300cmc engine.
Loved your review of your old Landy Harry. What a charismatic little vehicle, it’ll go anywhere...slowly! I might just buy one?
Thanks for the videos. I am so glad that you continue to make videos. You tell the story in such a way that it comes alive. One of the best presenters of all time.
Great video Harry! Thank you for putting it together.
Love this video! Would love to own one of these classic Land Rovers but here in the States, it would be a nightmare to insure, drive on public roads and even fix. I will just reserve myself to watching other folks enjoy their classic Rovers.
Replying to a very old comment, but it's so wrong that I have to speak up. I live in Connecticut, drive my old Landy every day, parts are very readily available, and I pay around $200 a year to insure it....the cheapest car in my fleet....
Welcome Back Harry! A fine day today is (even though it is pissing down outside.)
Such an entertaining review Harry! I am in love with this car now :)
Loved the scene of it going through the ford.