1963 - 2023 : 60th anniversary !
Welcome to the website dedicated to Victoria, the faithful
1963 Land Rover SIIA 2.25L petrol, based around Zürich (ZH),
in wonderful Switzerland. 
Starting its life in 1963 on a farm in Avenches (VD),
the car was daily used as a workhorse around the region.
After 30 years of tough duties of all kinds, failing its
Swiss MOT, it was exported to France as a non-runner by
a Land Rover specialist, who grossly restored it and
registered it back on the road.
This is when, at the age of 18, straight after passing
my driving license in 1996, I purchased it as my first
daily driver. I became its second owner and the lovely
little Landi was nicknamed Victoria.
Moving to Switzerland in 2006, the car coincidentally
relocated to its "home Swiss home".
Driven since then as a family car around Zürich, all
year long including salty winters, Victoria was once
again struck by the Swiss MOT in 2018 for the second
time in its life, and for the same good old reason:
rust-through chassis !
Brought to Belgium on a flat-bed truck in 2019, the car
underwent a full restoration at Series Forever until
2022.
Finally... returning to Switzerland, Victoria is back
to its former glory among its family.
From an used and abused farmer's do-it-all motor, to a classic family daily.
Victoria turned 60 years young in 2023 and she will continue to enjoy her purposeful life, active member of a family who never hesitates to jump in for a ride.
Engine
4 cylinders 2.25 L petrol 3MB (SIIA
genuine spec.) with SP95 compatible cylinder head,
delivering an outstanding 52kW / 67hp@4'000rpm and 163
Nm@2000rpm.
Engine exchanged in 2009, from Automotive
Components Remanufacturing in the UK.
Gearbox
4 gears forward. The 1st, 2nd and Rear
gears are non synchromesh (SIIA genuine spec.). Low
gear ratio engaged by pulling the red knob, giving 10
gears in total.
Gearboxes were purchased in 2009 from ACR in
the UK.
Chassis frame
Original steel ladder frame chassis,
88" short wheelbase. Extensively restored twice: 1994
by Land01 and in 2022 by Series Forever.
Professionally rustproofed in/out.
Body
Body panels made of aluminum alloy.
All panels were restored or replaced, then
professionally painted in Marine Blue, in 2022.
Road-gear
Parabolic springs (non genuine, 2022) on original axles. Rear wheel drive. The front axle engages by pressing the yellow knob, to get 4WD in all gears.
Carburetor
The engine is fed by a Zenith carb. Martin
Lawrie from FUGGLE's FETTLING built it
on order in 2022, only using NOS parts. It is the best
carb' to use on the 2.25L and a genuine sight under a
SIIA bonnet.
Exhaust line
The exhaust full
line, including end muffler, is of stainless-steel.
It was purchased 25 years ago from Rimmer Bros,
and is still doing the job.
Seat belts
The car is equipped all round (7
seater) with seat belts (non genuine). The front seats
use a specific aftermarket roll-bar to hold the seat
belts upper points.
Bulkhead
Like the rest of the car, the bulkhead
was completely repaired in 2022 by Series Forever.
It has received extensive rust protection before being
paint in Marine Blue.
Capstan winch
A collector item ! A FAIREY
AUTOMOTIVE capstan winch is installed on a
dedicated galvanised plate, bolted to the chassis
frame on riv-nuts.
DUNLOP tires
Soft and vintage looking 750x16 DUNLOP
Qualifier (new 2022). Rims have been painted in
Marine Blue matching color (genuine look should be
Limestone white).
Ignition
In order to provide a flawless spark,
a LUMENITION electronic ignition was
installed by Richard STOLZ ROSTFREI. Never get
stuck with worn points anymore !
Leather steering wheel
The covering of the steering wheel is
made of leather. This prevents your hands to be
blacked in wet mornings from the melting old Bakelite.
Clutch
During the full restoration by
Series Forever in 2022, the clutch was
replaced, including master cylinder. Ready for a few
decades of driving...
Heated windscreens
For safe drives in the winter cold
mornings, the car has two aftermarket heated
windscreens, by Ricky Evans Motorsport.
De-icing was never so easy !
Petrol tank
A unique "built on order" petrol tank
(45 liters) made out of stainless steel, but retaining
the original design, including the side embossed
cross. Finally, rust will never block the petrol pipes
ever again !
Stopping power
Richard STOLZ ROSTFREI services
the brakes regularly. The car brakes straight and
amazingly strong (for an old Land Rover !). Handbrake
locks the transmission itself.
Dynamo to alternator
Cheap dynamos, of poor quality, failing too many times, were replaced by a OEM Land Rover alternator in 2022, delivering plenty and stable supply of electricity.
MFK StVA
Richard
STOLZ ROSTFREI, successfully takes the car
through the tough Swiss MOT ( Motorfahrzeugkontrolle), every 2
years.
History
History documented: a letter dated 1996 from the Swiss farmer, first owner when new in 1963, is available, writing about the first 30 years of the car. Documents and invoices are all available since 1996.
Grease, oil and service
Richard STOLZ ROSTFREI, services the car regularly (gearboxes, engine, transmission).
