Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2018 i Land Rover Monthly

BATTERY-GUARD PRICE £39.95 Monitor the state of charge of your battery using the Battery-Guard App on your Apple or android phone. Quick and easy to install on your battery. Can monitor several vehicles at once. Can be used on 6, 12 and 24 V batteries. eBay.co.uk URBANITE BUMPERETTES PRICE FROM £310 Protect the back of your Defender with these no-nonsense Urbanite rear bumperettes. They will be able to withstand even the roughest of off-road (or urban) bumps and knocks. Can be fitted using the standard rear crossmember mounting holes. Includes all bolts and nuts. No drilling required. 110technik.co.uk CATCH TANK PRICE £78.61 The standard breather pots on 200 and 300Tdi engines use a gauze and mesh design which can becomes blocked with oil deposits. Allisport offer this robust aluminium engine…

Passing a scrapyard owned by a settled traveller friend Tilly, my eyes were naturally drawn to a very neat-looking 88in Series III parked up. It was a vehicle I had not seen before. To a very audible sigh from the beloved Marjorie, I swung into the yard. You used to find these yards in every Pennine hill village some years ago, until the increase in Health and Safety and planning laws. Tilly, however, probably well into his eightieth year, has been able to resist all the visits by bureaucrats. I doubt very much that they are aware that he not only carries out his business from the site, but also lives in the hut that doubles up as his workshop. Inside the yard Tilly was in conversation with a young…

No sooner had I sent one 1963-built engine out of my workshop (as described in my February column) another one turned up. This one is a diesel with a block casting date of August 16, 1963, still fitted with the old-fashioned bar clamp injectors, and nestling in the engine bay of a really lovely 1967 88-inch hard top. The vehicle originally left the factory with a petrol engine under the bonnet and was most likely converted to diesel some time back in the 1980s, when secondhand 2.25 diesels were readily available and petrol Series IIAs unloved and unwanted. In 1987 I was offered a Series IIA 88in petrol with a genuine 28,000 miles on the clock for £650. I bought a Lightweight instead, for £100 more. Happy days. This particular…

Thom Westcott I grew up gazing at a romantic black and white photo of my mother eating an icicle beside my father’s Series IIA, which was sold before I was born. When I first saw my battered Series III Lightweight 15 years ago it was love at first sight. Design classic. Solihull’s finest moment. Trevor Cuthbert I can still remember the old Series IIA hard top on the farm and how much I loved it. I was aged four at the time. It was sold to make way for a Ford lorry, but I never forgot it! My favourite Land Rover is my 110 V8 – I’ve had it the longest of all, in all three of its incarnations, and I have refused more offers for it than you’d believe.…

Everybody knows that Land Rover celebrates its 70th this month, but did you know that April is also the 60th birthday of a company that has made its name by keeping those Land Rovers running reliably? That company is Bearmach. Every day, thousands of Land Rover owners around the world fit Bearmach accessories and parts to their vehicles, confident in the knowledge that they are using a trusted brand whose name is synonymous with quality. But few know the interesting history behind the company, which this year celebrates six decades as the leader in its field. The Bearmach story actually begins over 60 years ago, in the narrow streets of the Turkish capital, Istanbul, during the post-war years. Here, in the noisy and bustling bazaars, 16-year-old Karabet Torosyan started out…

The military Land Rover model we are focussing on this month has the accolade of having close to the longest, but in some aspects also the shortest, of in-service lives with the British Army and Royal Air Force. Mostly originating between 1985 and 1987 as pre-Defender One Ten models, or prior to 1993 if from top-up contracts, the Project Tithonous batch was spruced up between 2007 and 2009 to extend its life span by a theoretical 15 more years. This could have meant some vehicles spending almost four decades in service to Queen and Country, though most actually seem to have been cast by the end of the 2012 fiscal year. In theory the mid-1980s coil-sprung, 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated diesel, One Ten and Ninety fleet, which only partially replaced the earlier…

MARCH 17– 18 Wessex Wanderer Tour Atlas Overland are running a two-day 4x4 Adventure Tour on March 17–18, a journey across BOAT (Byways Open to All Traffic) approved byways and roads of the ancient land of Wessex. Following our ancestors’ footprints you will see ancient stone circles, barrows and hill forts. The route will cover between 50 and 70 miles each day and the campsite used for both nights has great facilities with a licenced restaurant serving evening meals and breakfast. Full details of this and other 4x4 Adventure Tours can be found on atlasoverland.com. MARCH 18 4x4 & Vintage Spares Day Having been held twice a year since 2009 the Ripon 4x4 and Vintage Spares Day held at Ripon Racecourse is long established and well supported by both trade…

ED EVANS TECHNICAL EDITOR 1976 Series III 88 soft-top 1989 Ninety Station Wagon 1998 Discovery 300Tdi 2000 Freelander 1 L-series 2000 Defender 110 Td5 2006 Range Rover Sport TDV6 TIM HAMMOND CONTRIBUTOR 1991 Range Rover Classic 300Tdi 1987 Range Rover Classic 3.5EFI V8 1986 Range Rover Classic 300Tdi 1984 Range Rover Classic 3.5 V8 1984 Range Rover Classic 3.5 V8 1982 Range Rover Classic 3.5 V8 1982 Range Rover Classic 3.5 V8 1989 Land Rover Discovery 200Tdi DAVE PHILLIPS CONTRIBUTOR 1996 Discovery 300Tdi 1984 Ninety 300Tdi DAVE BARKER CONTRIBUTOR 2004 Defender 300Tdi 2013 Freelander 2 1958 Series I…

“The finished vehicle is the result of his enthusiasm and willingness to learn” In this month’s LRM Technical, Alisdair Cusick and James Holmes complete the restoration of Alisdair’s Series I which was rescued from a field only 12 months ago. It’s the sort of restoration I personally like to see – a vintage vehicle that’s gone through 60 years of life’s batterings, which now emerges fully roadworthy and reliable, but still bearing all the visual scars of those six decades, oozing character and patina. By their own admission, neither Alisdair nor James are Series I experts, and the finished vehicle is the result of Alisdair’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn, and James’ obvious talents in fabrication and deep understanding of classic Land Rovers. They’ve shown that Series I restoration is…

How did you find this project? We bought the Defender from a farrier on eBay after searching for one that we could turn into an expedition truck. Ironically Nils said that we’d never find a good car on eBay – but not only did we find a Defender but an ambulance! Tell us a little about yourself and Nils I’m a university student and part-time bartender, Nils works as a health nurse. What’s the story so far? Nils has been dreaming of travelling the world for more than ten years now. Then he met me and together we threw aside all sense and reason, listened to our hearts and bought the ambulance the day we saw it. We named him Ervin! He’s the perfect car for off-the-grid travels and off-roading.…

While not everyone agrees on the direction that Gerry McGovern has taken the Land Rover brand, the Chief Design Officer has been named ‘Designer of the Year’ at the Festival Automobile International. Determined by a 15-strong jury from the automotive industry and a wide variety of design disciplines including architecture and fashion, the Grand Prix du Design prize recognises McGovern’s Land Rover designs and their influence across the car industry Recognised in particular for the Range Rover Velar, Rémi Depoix, President of this annual event, commented: “One of his remarkable achievements is to adapt Land Rover’s DNA, a transformation that began with the Range Rover Evoque. The British automotive industry has been reinvented in Gerry’s vision and Land Rover is an incredible success story.” We would love to hear your…

Send us your shot email patrick@lrm.co.uk  to feature your pic in LRM…

Early in November 1971, aged 15 years and ten months, I applied for my provisional driving licence. I was looking forward to my sixteenth birthday – on January 3, 1972 – when I would be able to stick L-plates on a motorcycle (maximum capacity 250cc) and hit the road. My best mates, John and Andy, had already bought Honda 175s and my plan was to do the same. You can imagine my excitement when my licence arrived a week later. But they say you should never count your chickens before they hatch, and never was this more true than in late November 1971, when Ted Heath’s government pushed through a new law, changing the rules for teenage riders. Sixteen-year-olds would be restricted to 50cc mopeds until the age of 17,…

I’m reading this great book about minimalism called Goodbye Things. As a maximalist by nature, I’m reading it from the guilty perspective of having far too many possessions, most of which are scattered to the proverbial four winds. But apparently it’s never too late to change, and the author of Goodbye Things claims to have formerly been a maximalist of the highest order. As I become steadily inspired, or indoctrinated, by the book, I dutifully trawl through bags of possessions, managing to relegate a few items to the charity shop. It’s a shamefully modest start but, spurred on by illusory feelings of achievement and satisfaction, I decide to turn my attentions to the Land Rover. The back of my Lightweight is a minimalist’s nightmare and frankly overwhelming, so I start…

MY FAVOURITE lrtmms: I don’t have one favourite. I prefer classics but eventually the D5 and Velar will grow on me. Can’t wait to buy one in 30 years time lrtseriesiiiffr: My ultimate would be a Stage I V8 SWB but they are rare. My favourite Defender would be an African BMW-powered petrol like @busheditor mattildas_journey: A Series 1 80in with (controversially) the lights through the grille. They’re just so cute! But I’d love a Carawagon too, as I enjoy camping. lewys_landrover_page: I would have to say FC101. Always loved them. Close second is a 107in Station Wagon. big_gilby: I struggle to pick a favourite because all Land Rovers are beautiful in their own way. blackb200D1: V8. Loved that beast. Lots of happy memories. theclassicseries: For me it has to…

1957 First to offer a true alternative for Land Rover parts 1958 First to offer a choice of replacement parts 1975 First to offer a true range of accessories 1978 First to offer special heavy-duty parts 1979 First Bearmach manufacturing unit established 1981 First Bearmach retail outlet established 1987 First Bearmach overseas subsidiary established 1997 European distribution hub established 2002 More overseas subsidiaries established 2003 Becomes largest independent exporter of parts for Land Rovers 2004 Awarded first MoD contract 2005 Awarded Welsh Exporter of the Year 2005 Opened first mail order shop 2007 Bearmach acquired by Grove Industries 2008 Additional premises purchased, with an extra 45,000 sq ft, close to the existing premises in Bedwas, Caerphilly 2017 New rebranded website goes live. HawkEye Total launched. Three-year warranty offered on Bearmach…

The great thing about owning a 20-year-old Defender with a slightly unusual engine is that there is always something that needs doing to it. I am happy to announce that the hesitation my Defender was suffering is now a thing of the past. I sorted it by emailing a description of the problem to Mike Porter from the Land Rover Service Centre in Cape Town. He said to check the fuel pressure and fuel pump before anything else. Mike is Mr 2.8i in South Africa, he owns several of them and there are videos of him drifting one on sand dunes. So I dropped my Defender off at Rogers of Bedford, the official Isuzu dealership that knows more about Land Rovers than your average Land Rover dealership. They checked the…

ED EVANS TECHNICAL EDITOR 1976 Series III 88 soft-top 1989 Ninety Station Wagon 1998 Discovery 300Tdi 2000 Freelander 1 L-series 2000 Defender 110 Td5 2006 Range Rover Sport TDV6 TIM HAMMOND CONTRIBUTOR 1991 Range Rover Classic 300Tdi 1987 Range Rover Classic 3.5 EFI V8 1986 Range Rover Classic 300Tdi 1984 Range Rover Classic 3.5 V8 1984 Range Rover Classic 3.5 V8 1982 Range Rover Classic 3.5 V8 1982 Range Rover Classic 3.5 V8 1989 Land Rover Discovery 200Tdi DAVE PHILLIPS CONTRIBUTOR 1996 Discovery 300Tdi 1984 Ninety 300Tdi STEVE MILLER CONTRIBUTOR 2007 Discovery 3 1998 Discovery 300Tdi 1985 Ninety…

To celebrate the Year of the Dog, Land Rover has introduced a range of pet-friendly accessories. The Pet Packs include a rubber mat or liner tray for the boot to protect the carpet from wet paws and fur, as well as a full height partition, which keeps pets safe and comfortable and passenger seats nice and clean. Go to gear.landrover.com/gb/en/. In addition, you can buy a range of stylish and practical clothing and accessories, which have been designed in conjunction with Barbour. These include a leather dog lead, collar and harness, as well as a coordinating water-resistant, quilted, wax jacket. Go to shop.landrover.com/uk/gifts-lifestyle/dog.…

The new way to pay for fuel BP has launched an innovative way to pay for fuel with its new time-saving app BPme, which is easy to use and means you do not have to go in-store to pay. Not only will it save people a few precious minutes (or more – we have all been queued behind someone who has decided to do their weekly shop), but it is also great for those who are reluctant to leave children (or precious cargo) in the car. The app enables customers to connect their Nectar account and view transaction history, locate their closest BP service station and offset their carbon emissions caused from driving via its Target Neutral programme. If you want refuelling to be easier and faster visit bp.com/bpmeuk– the…

The 70th anniversary year got off to a good start for Toad (my Series I) and I, with a visit to the first 2018 Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage. A good turnout of Land Rovers and plenty of other classic cars to see, and a very good breakfast. Well worth a visit. A fortnight later, I received a call from a friend to tell me he had a tree down. He and I have a well-proven plan that has been put into practice several times in recent years, which involves Toad, a couple of chainsaws, the hydraulic log-splitter, and a trailer. I have always wanted one of those mobile saw benches that are belt-driven off the PTO, and after every timber-cutting trip my interest in one is rekindled. Maybe this…

The first part of 2018 has been really busy, starting with a move interstate from Sydney to Canberra, which equates to about a four-hour drive in a Series IIA, or three in a regular car. Moving is hard enough, but when you add to it a Land Rover missing its front axle then it becomes a little more challenging. Anyway, we got there and all three are now parked on the most pristine driveway you have ever seen. Despite three drip trays there was no preventing the inevitable marking of territory which occurred within moments of arrival. The other day Facebook kindly reminded me of a 2014 trip that very nearly ended my love affair with Land Rovers. I thought I would share with you my misery because I am…

Just a few days after receiving the spacers I was back on the computer working up another drawing to be turned into metal. The cause this time was a 1957 Series I 88-inch, well-used but full of character, which had been trailered in with a broken rear halfshaft. A local garage had started stripping it down, realised what they were getting themselves into and baled out while the vehicle was still movable. So now it was my turn. Anyone familiar with Series Is will understand the problem straight away. The rear halfshafts on these vehicles are of semi-floating design. The inner end slides into the differential on coarse splines just like the later vehicles, but at the outer end the wheel bearing is pressed onto the halfshaft, the end of…

EVERY FREELANDER 1 enthusiast will tell you that the engines are tough. And none of them tougher than the Td4. For this reason, forums and social media buzz with mileage claims. A Freelander with 200,000 miles under its cam chain is treated with the same respect as your granddad. It’s what they call ‘a good innings.’ So when Glynn Davis matter-of-factly chipped into a Freelander Owners’ Club debate that his had done 300,000 miles, I just had to find out more. I had suspicions that it would be the Landy equivalent of the tale of Trigger’s 20-year-old broom (if you’re not familiar, go to youtube.com/watch?v=BUl6PooveJE). “It gets serviced twice a year,” Glynn told me. “It’s had a new alternator, propshaft bearings and a clutch kit, but not much else.” The…

For over 60 years, the figure of Arthur Goddard was largely absent from the weft and warp of Land Rover history. As fact and myth came together over the years to tell the story of the development of the first Land Rover, Arthur’s personal perspectives remained hidden, his contribution to the project and his experiences and opinions uncommented upon. Few, if any, of the many books devoted to the history of the Land Rover that were published throughout the latter half of the last century, and into the early years of the present one, mentioned him by name. Even in 2008, when the company celebrated the 60th anniversary of the first Land Rover, there was no reference to Arthur Goddard. Land Rover themselves seemed to have forgotten him. But that…

MARCH 9 – 11 The Welsh Xtrem, Challenge Event Cynheidre, Llanelli, South Wales thewelshxtrem.co.uk MARCH 10 Buxton & District Land Rover Club, Tyro Trial & Trial Hartington Quarry, Ashbourne badlrc.co.uk MARCH 10 Northern Ireland Land Rover Club, SAE Event Clinty landrover-club.com MARCH 10 Ardent Offroad, North Wales UK Trek Snowdonia ardentoffroad.com MARCH 10 UK Landrover Events, North Yorks Moors 4x4 Tour North Yorkshire uklandroverevents.com MARCH 10 – 11 North East Rover Owners Club, RTV & CCV Trial Helmsley, North Yorkshire nero.org.uk MARCH 10 – 11 Abu Dhabi – FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies Dhabi International Baja fia.com/championship/events/world-cup-cross-country-rallies MARCH 10 – 11 4x4 Adventure Tours, Lake District 4x4 Tour Cumbria 4x4adventuretours.co.uk MARCH 10 – 11 All Terrain Tours, Three Counties Tour Durham & Cumbria allterraintours.co.uk MARCH 10 – 11 Ardent…

PATRICK CRUYWAGEN EDITOR 1998 Defender 110 2.8 TREVOR CUTHBERT CONTRIBUTOR 1957 Series 86in 1960 Series II 88in 1983 One Ten HCPU 1987 130 Double Cab HCPU 1988 Range Rover 4.0 automatic 1990 88in coil-sprung V8 hybrid 1992 Defender 90 200 Tdi 1993 Defender 110 Tipper 1993 Defender 130 Cherry Picker 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi soft-top 2002 Discovery 2 Td5 Adventurer 2005 Defender 90 Td5 hard-top MARK DIXON CONTRIBUTOR 1955 Series I 107 1989 ‘G-WAC’ Discovery 1994 ‘M-CVC’ Range Rover THOM WESTCOTT CONTRIBUTOR 1977 Series III Lightweight…

One of my biggest frustrations over the past few years is not having my own workshop to get on with things – relying on other peoples’ yards, driveways and garage space to store or fix my stuff. When we decided to sell our narrow boat we were living on and go back to living in a house, one of my (only) priorities was to ensure the house had its own driveway; one that would fit two or three Land Rovers and have a garage or room to build one. In the end, we bought a house that had the driveway but would need a garage built. To avoid planning permission, and needing to build within two metres of the boundary, we opted for a log cabin-style timber garage, with a…

I know, it’s entirely my own fault. I have neglected my Series I for well over a year now. It’s not been driven any distance; in fact, I suspect it’s a year since I started it. But on the plus side, during that year looking at prices of other Series Is that have come up for sale, even non-roadgoing trials cars, mine has increased in value just sat there. But with the recent rush of nostalgia for older Land Rovers, from Facebook sites such as the Old Trials Motor Group, and the planned Patina Nationals RTV Trial in September, I felt I needed to get mine running and be out driving it again. Not unsurprisingly, the battery was flat. I do have a spare battery and once connected quickly got…