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,
where it was grossly restored a first time and soon
registered 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 in 2006 to Switzerland, 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
vintage family daily.
Victoria turning 60 years young in 2023, we hope that it
will continue to enjoy its purposeful life, active
member of a new family who never hesitates to jump in
for a ride.
Engine
4 cylinders 2.25 L petrol (3MB SIIA
genuine specifications) with SP95
compatible cylinder head, Zenith
carburetor and electronic ignition, delivering an
outstanding 52kW / 67hp@4'000rpm and 163 Nm@2000rpm
Engine was purchased in 2009
from ACR in the UK, and only covered a
few thousands kilometers since then.
Gearbox
4 FWD 1 RWD. The 1st gear, 2nd gear
and Rear are non synchromesh (genuine SIIA). Low gear
(crawling) engaged through manual operation (pulling the
red knob), giving 10 gears in total.
Gearboxes were purchased in
2009 from ACR in the UK, and only covered
a few thousands kilometers since then.
Chassis frame
Original steel ladder frame
chassis, 88" short wheelbase. Extensively
restored twice: 1994 and 2022 by Series Forever.
Rust proofed inside / outside professionally by Series Forever.
Body
Body panels made of aluminum alloy.
Since 2022: all panels were
checked, repaired or replaced and then
professionally painted in Marine Blue.
Road-gear
Parabolic springs (non genuine) on original axles, mounted in 2022. Rear wheel drive or 4WD in both high/low gear by manually engaging the front axle engaged (pressing the yellow knob).
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 stainless-steel. It was
purchased 20 years ago from Rimmer Bros, and is still
doing strong.
Seats
The front seats
have hi-backrest and headrest for safety. Not genuine, but safety comes
first. As new !
Seat belts
The car is
equiped all round (7 seater) with modern seat belts:
safety first. The front seats use the 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
collectors' dream ! A FAIREY AUTOMOTIVE capstan
winch is installed on a dedicated
galvanised plate, bolted to the chassis frame on
riv-nuts.
DUNLOP tires
Beautiful,
soft and vintage looking DUNLOP
Qualifier, fully new 2022 with just a few hundreds
kilometers. Rims have been painted in
Marine Blue matching color.
Ignition
In order to
match the powerful engine and provide a flawless
spark, a LUMENITION
electronic ignition was installed by
Richard Stolz. Never get stuck with worn points
anymore !
Leather steering wheel
New in
2023: the covering of the steering wheel is made
of leather. This prevents your
hands to be blacked in cold and humid mornings.
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 heated windscreens.
De-icing was never so easy !
Petrol tank
A unique "built on order" petrol
tank (45 litres) made out of stainless steel, but
retaining the original design,
including the embossed cross on side panels.
Finally, rust will never block the petrol pipes
ever again !
Stopping power
Richard Stolz, from STOLZ
ROSTFREI, has replaced and serviced the brakes
regularly. The car brakes straight and
amazingly strong (for an old Land Rover !).
Dynamo to alternator
The original dynamo, replaced several times, was finally replaced by a OEM Land Rover alternator in 2022, delivering stable supply and plenty of electricty.
MFK StVA
Richard Stolz,
from STOLZ ROSTFREI, has successfully taken the
car through the tough Swiss MFK in St
Gallen in mid-2023.
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 available since 1996.
Grease, oil and service
Richard Stolz, from STOLZ ROSTFREI, has serviced the car regularly (gearboxes, engine, transmission), and was always taking the car through the strict Swiss MOT, every 2 years.
