Series IIA 88 Ex-Military
This 88 is getting everything from a new galv. frame to a full inside andout Bronze Green paint job. All the bodywork will be done as well as allnew galv. trim. It will also be converted from RHD to LHD as well as a fewother options. Here the body is being taken apart and moved to ECR's paintand body shop for the bodywork.
Here the new galv. chassis has been installed as well as the new Turner2.25 engine.
Next was the bulkhead. The bulkhead on this SIIA was really rusted. It notonly needed footwells and door posts. but we had to fabricate sections ofthe upper sections and the entire door seal lip. In this image you can seethat the entire door post had to be removed and all the rust cut away infavor of new steel. Fortunately our bulkhead jig keeps everything linedup perfectly even during these extensive repairs.
The bulkhead was them blasted back to white metal, primed and painted. Thisis an image of the fully restored bulkhead now at home on its new galv.frame.
This image shows the fully restored tub, new tub sides, new floor and more.These parts are treated with anti corrosion materials and then painted inour state of the art paint booth to look better than the factory ever dreamedpossible. Our museum quality paint jobs top off our restorations, and everythingis done "in house" at ECR's facility in Warren, ME.
Here the steering conversion to LHD is complete and the other systems arebeing restored and installed. Notcie the military duel fuel tanks and othermilitary options. This 88 will be built in full military dress, militarylighting to its Bronze Green paint.
The 88 is now starting to look like a Rover again. We have installed a newLate Series IIA radiator support and the correct Late IIA grill. (it usedto have an incorrect plastic SIII grill). Also now installed is all thenew galvanized trim, including the winscreen frame and more, all installedwith the correct hammer and crush rivets as from the factory.
While the mechanical systems are being installed and assembled in our mechanicalshop, the paint shop is hard at work on the Limestone parts of the Rover.The roof has been stripped of all its parts and will be prep'd and paintedas will the roof sides. This will include new headliner, window tracks andall seals. This 88 will also be getting a conversion to rear tailagate/lift gate from rear door.
Here you can see the dash coming together with all new wiring, new paintand a restoration of all parts. The military configuration has been keptand a custom wiring harness used. A few updates also make the Rover betterthat stock, such as an alternator conversion and upgraded defrosters.
On the farside of the bulkhead you can see the upgraded dual power brakes,and on the near side you can see the upgraded Mansfield heater, Optima batterysystem, all new fuel lines, the new Turner 2.25 engine and much more...all set up to make this 88 better than when it was new.
Now almost complete the nicely optioned 88 is really starting to take shape.The new galv. trim as well as the ECR paint job really make this 88 standout. Left to do now are Defender style door tops, the rest of the interiorand the road tests.
The completed engine bay looks better than the factory could ever have imagined.In a fully restored Rover you should be able to eat off just about any surface,and as you can see in this image an ECR restoration fits that bill. Everythingis spotless and correct.
The owner also requested we convert his rear door to a split lft gate/ tailgatesystem. In this image you can see the nearly finished restoration with theconversion completed. At ECR we still have all the parts available to dothese conversions eventhough other shops may tell you they are no longeravailable.
Here is the completed restoration. The 88 now has almost completely newrunning gear from wiring harnes and alternator conversion, to new body panelsand a galvanized frame. It has been converted to left hand drive and hasa host of upgrades including a Mansfield heater, twin fuel tanks, high-backseats, Tuffy center console, Stereo system, Defender door tops, mirrorsand interior panels just to name a few. The new Bronze paint looks greatwith all new galv. trim and the correct military lighting. The 88 will nowbe sent to Colorado to the waiting owner.
If you have a Rover that needs work, a little, or a lot, contact ECR...we are your source for vintage and modern Rovers!
Let us know if we can build a Rover for you.