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Few vehicles have earned their reputation as honestly as the Land Rover Series IIA, and this right-hand-drive 1971 Land Rover 88 Series IIA, currently up for auction on Hagerty Marketplace, is a handsome example of the breed. Finished in RAF Blue with a Sand canvas soft top, it sits at a $12,500 high bid with 13 bids placed, and the auction ends Friday, October 9, at 2:20 p.m. EDT.
The Series IIA helped build the marque's global name for durability and off-road ability, pairing simple mechanicals with a rugged aluminum body that suited everything from farm work to military service. This one is a late-production, suffix-H "crossover" truck, the kind enthusiasts hunt for because it blends Series IIA styling with features that carried over to the Series III, including outboard-mounted headlights.
Simple Power, Real Capability
Power comes from a 2.25-liter gasoline inline-four paired with a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case, with manually locking front hubs for when the pavement ends. Four-wheel drum brakes, body-colored 16-inch steel wheels wearing 7.50 Goodyear Wrangler tires, and a rear-mounted full-size spare keep the look period-correct. The odometer shows 82,000 miles, listed as true mileage unknown.
Inside, the truck keeps the utilitarian charm the model is known for: black vinyl upholstery, three-across front seating, inward-facing rear bench seats, two-piece doors with sliding windows, and a Smiths heater with front demister. A rear tow hitch with electrical connections means it is ready to work, and the Defender-style side mirrors, deluxe front seating, rubber matting, door cards and galvanized front bumper add some everyday usability.
A Trip Through the U.K.
According to the seller, the truck was refurbished in the United Kingdom by John Brown 4x4 Ltd. before being purchased and imported to the United States in 2021. The seller, located in Lake Oswego, Oregon, reports brake fluid, wheel cylinders, brake shoes and the speedometer cable were all replaced in 2022, and the Land Rover is offered with a clean Oregon title in the seller's name.
The listing is upfront about condition, noting general cosmetic wear consistent with its age, some corrosion at the top of the windshield frame, rust at the rear of the tailgate, and an inoperable right turn indicator. Those are the sort of honest, fixable details buyers expect from a half-century-old working Land Rover, and they give the next owner room to put a personal stamp on it.
Why It Deserves Attention
The bidding tells part of the story. After sitting in the low thousands for most of the auction, the price jumped past $12,000 in the final days, a sign that serious Land Rover fans are paying attention. A Series IIA in this configuration is a rare chance to get into classic Land Rover ownership with a usable, good-looking truck rather than a project.
If you like your British classics, we recently featured a gold-winning 1957 Triumph TR3, and if your tastes lean toward vintage off-roaders, the 1982 Jeep CJ-7 we covered makes a fun comparison. Bidders on the Land Rover should, as always, do their own due diligence and contact the seller with questions before placing a bid. Full details, photos and the live auction are on the Hagerty Marketplace listing.
