Green Machine

Deano’s Other Landy Sparks Simpson Desert Dreaming.

- Dean Mellor

I SEARCHED far and wide for the “right” Land Rover. I wanted a late model Series IIA with the headlights on the fenders rather than in the grille, preferably green, rust-free, with the original running gear and in sound mechanical condition. In other words, something like the first Landy I ever owned, but not as rough.

I looked all over the country before finding this nice restored example about five minutes’ drive from my front door. It ticked all the boxes, but the vendor was asking a bit more than I was willing to spend. After a couple of days of negotiations, we agreed on a price and the SIIA was mine.

I’ve been told the old Landy once belonged to a Mayor of the Eurobodalla Shire on the NSW South Coast.

The fellow I purchased it from had completely stripped it and rebuilt the thing. And yes, while it’s hardly in showroom condition, it scrubs up alright and has so far proven mechanically reliable (knock on wood).