The Australian Army took delivery of it's first Series 2 Land-Rover 88" regular, a fully imported unit, for testing and appraisal in 1958. (Picture and info from Paul Handel at ANZACsteel website. (ARN 107-671, CoA C-67999) According to AWM records it was chassis 142800001, with a 2.0 litre engine, priced at 1193 pounds. This was the very first production series 2 land rover built.

In late 1958 the AMF commenced taking delivery of the new Series 2 Land-Rover after trials to find a replacement for the WW2 jeep. These Series 2 vehicles in SWB and LWB (1959 models) were supplied with minimal modifications after assembly at Sydney's Pressed Metal Corp (CKD RHD kits from England). The trials of 1958 expressed concern about the size of the fuel tank, but in later general service iterations of the vehicle this was solved by the fitting of dual fuel tanks. Other recomendations from the trials were heavy duty suspension (again added to the later GS models) and a modified canopy design which appears to have begun with the Command Reconnaissance model.

Their appearance is almost the same as civilian models. They are fitted with towing eyes at the front, tail light protectors, some extra instrumentation and switching, and a fire extinguisher and a heavy duty canopy. On the dash they have a large blackout switch immediately to the right of the speedo panel. The BWC plate is lower down the front left guard than the Series 2A." ref Stephen Stansfield. Tac holders were later fitted front and rear after a change to Formation Markings Standing Orders when the units were in service. Also note that these Series 2 units had a pintle hook, the early type, as fitted to the Austin Champs. The trailer plug was fitted in the rear bodywork above the number plate on the drivers side.

In the tub angle brackets were fitted to the floor to locate the spare tyre that fitted with a bracket against the back of the bulkhead in the tub.