The words restore and rebuild do not mean the same thing. To restore, implies that an entirely original vehicle in as-new condition will be the result. While to rebuild gives greater latitude in that some changes from original will be allowed, such as parts from later models, or components reused but not refurbished. In keeping with my aspirations and capabilities I chose to rebuild, but elected to repair and repaint panels rather than retain the existing faded and battered patina (physical life story) of an old vehicle.
The motivations for such a project can be many. In my early twenties I had owned a 1967 Series 2A long wheel base ute in which I had travelled around half of Australia, including adventures across the Northern Territory and Kimberley, and so owning another would add a nostalgic element. I was also busy in a mostly desk job and having a practical distraction on the occasional day off would be a healthy escape from the phone and keyboard. Further, retirement wasn't too far away and having an existing project to get my teeth into once work didn't dominate my time would be a healthy transition. There was also a sense that rebuilding a part of Australian farming history, so that it survived a few more decades, would be a worthwhile nod to my own background in the Australian cattle industry.
My search was for a suitable Series 2 or 2A Land Rover ute to rebuild. It took around six months of web searching to find my project, a 1960 Series 2 cab/chassis near Albury in NSW. The vehicle had spent its life on various farms in the Kiwa Valley at the foot of the Snowy Mountains.
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