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β€œGranny Smith”

1961 Land Rover Series IIA 109" For Sale

A professionally restored and thoughtfully reengineered Series IIA that blends vintage Land Rover character with carefully selected modern upgrades. Built around a new galvanized chassis with upgraded steering, cooling, electrical, and braking systems. One-of-a-kind build, offered by a private seller in Sarasota, Florida with a clean title.

Vehicle Specifications
Year1961
MakeLand Rover
ModelSeries IIA 109" Station Wagon
Nickname"Granny Smith"
Price$125,000
Odometer83,097
Engine2.25L inline-four gasoline
Fuel TypeGasoline
Transmission4-speed manual
Drivetrain4Γ—4
VIN / Chassis #26300197a
SellerPrivate party
LocationSarasota, FL
Title StatusClean

Overview

This 1961 Land Rover Series IIA 109" Station Wagon is a professionally restored and thoughtfully reengineered example that blends vintage Land Rover character with carefully selected modern upgrades. Nicknamed β€œGranny Smith,” this left-hand-drive Series IIA underwent a comprehensive, body-off restoration after being imported from South Africa approximately ten years ago. Built around a new galvanized chassis and extensively refurbished with upgraded steering, cooling, electrical, and braking systems, this one-of-a-kind Land Rover is offered by a private seller in Sarasota, Florida with a clean title.

Build Highlights

Ground-Up Restoration

  • Imported from South Africa, completely rebuilt from the ground up
  • New galvanized chassis
  • No body filler anywhere on the vehicle
  • Galvanized bulkhead, front bumper, rear axle, hood frame, and seat frames

Built to Be Driven

  • P38 power steering
  • Aluminum radiator with FlowKooler water pump and electric cooling fan
  • Custom throttle linkage
  • 150-amp Powermaster alternator
  • American Autowire wiring harness
  • Stainless AN fuel, brake, and clutch lines
  • Upgraded gauges and modern LED lighting throughout

Expedition Upgrades

  • Old Man Emu shocks
  • Forbyn Bros locking hubs
  • Pangolin 4Γ—4 receiver hitch
  • Custom spare tire carrier
  • Defender front seats
  • Reinforced hood frame and custom soft top
  • Integrated 9-gallon freshwater tank for beach and camping use

Presentation

  • Heritage Green-inspired powder-coated finish
  • Matching interior with custom upholstery
  • Restored dashboard
  • Detailed engine bay
  • Meticulously finished undercarriage

Powertrain

  • 2.25L inline-four gasoline engine
  • 4-speed manual transmission
  • Dual-range transfer case
  • Four-wheel drive
  • Weber carburetor conversion
  • Custom cable throttle system
  • FlowKooler aluminum water pump
  • Aluminum radiator
  • 16-inch electric cooling fan
  • 150-amp Powermaster alternator

Chassis & Suspension

  • New galvanized chassis
  • P38 hydraulic power steering conversion
  • Old Man Emu shocks
  • Forbyn Bros locking front hubs
  • Galvanized rear axle
  • Stainless braided AN fuel, brake, and clutch lines
  • Pangolin 4Γ—4 receiver hitch

Exterior

  • Heritage Green-inspired powder-coated finish
  • Custom soft top
  • Custom rear spare tire carrier
  • Reinforced hood frame
  • LED exterior lighting
  • Galvanized front bumper
  • Galvanized bulkhead
  • Galvanized hood frame and structural components

Interior

  • Defender front seats
  • Restored station wagon interior
  • Upgraded oil pressure gauge
  • Upgraded water temperature gauge
  • Custom dashboard appointments
  • 9-gallon onboard freshwater tank

Restoration & Upgrades

  • Complete body-off restoration
  • No body filler used
  • American Autowire wiring harness
  • New fuel tank
  • Stainless AN plumbing throughout
  • Numerous custom Rad Rovers fabricated components
  • Extensive galvanized hardware and structural pieces

About the 1961 Land Rover Series IIA

Introduced in 1961, the Series IIA is widely regarded as one of the most iconic utility vehicles ever produced. Built around a rugged ladder-frame chassis with aluminum body panels and permanent four-wheel-drive capability, the Series IIA became synonymous with exploration, agriculture, military service, and humanitarian work around the globe.

The long-wheelbase 109-inch Station Wagon offered additional passenger capacity while retaining the legendary durability and simplicity that made early Land Rovers famous. Today, well-restored examples continue to enjoy strong collector demand, particularly those upgraded to be driven regularly rather than simply displayed.

Why This Series IIA

Many restored Series Land Rovers remain charming but primitive to drive. This build takes a different approach by addressing many of the platform’s original shortcomings without sacrificing its timeless appearance. The upgraded steering, modern electrical system, improved cooling, stainless plumbing, and carefully selected mechanical enhancements make this a far more usable classic while preserving everything enthusiasts love about a vintage Land Rover.

Rather than requiring its next owner to sort decades of deferred maintenance, this example has already benefited from a meticulous restoration centered on long-term reliability and enjoyment.

Ownership & Condition Notes

The seller imported this Series IIA from South Africa approximately ten years ago before completing a comprehensive ground-up restoration. The truck is reported to have no body filler and has received extensive galvanizing throughout the build to maximize longevity. The restoration was completed with an emphasis on drivability, reliability, and preserving the timeless character of the original Land Rover.

Videos

See Granny Smith in action.