Land Rover Monthly June 2023

FIND US ON @LRMonthly LandRoverMonthly @land_rover_monthly Land Rover Monthly TIME flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it? Here we are, celebrating an incredible 75 years of Land Rover and 25 years of Land Rover Monthly – and have we got an amazing issue for you. When you think Jaguar Land Rover Classic, your mind might conjure up all sorts of images of pristinely restored Series Is with six-figure price tags. But there’s so much more to the Classic division than that, as I was lucky enough to find out when I visited to pore over a gorgeous 1986 V8 Ninety that has been rescued and recommissioned. The level of detail and thought that’s gone into the job to make the Land Rover as reliable and useable as possible while keeping…

THE British Motor Museum is inviting visitors to take a journey down memory lane when it hosts the Classic and Vintage Commercial Show on 10-11 June. The event offers visitors a fascinating insight into automotive history and a rare opportunity to reminisce and relive the vintage era by seeing hundreds of pre-2003 commercial vehicles. As one of the largest shows of its kind in Europe, it features a varied display of trucks, vans and pick-ups, and we’re pretty confident there will be a fair representation from the green oval. There is also an indoor model show with over 160 tables of models on display, plus a large commercial autojumble selling spares, photos, brochures, models, and many other items associated with vintage commercial vehicles – perfect for any restorers looking to…

SPIRIT of 48, the Thirsk-based Defender restoration and sales specialist, has gone into administration with the loss of 17 jobs. Previously known as LR Motors before its name change to Spirit of 48 in January this year, the company also has an office in Germany. As well as restoring, modifying and selling Defenders, Spirit of 48 also offered servicing, repairs and MoTs. Spirit of 48’s parent firm, ARM Automotive Yorkshire, which sells quad bikes and other leisure products, has also gone into administration. A statement cited ‘escalating financial pressure’ as the reason for the collapse of both companies. The group’s funding provider – ABD Finance Ltd – appointed Mark Ranson and Emma Mifsud from Opus Restructuring LLP as administrators, who are seeking buyers for the companies’ assets, including Spirit of…

FIND US ON @LRMonthly LandRoverMonthly @land_rover_monthly Land Rover Monthly A DEFENDER once owned by the late Duke of Edinburgh has sold at auction for £123,750, having been bought for just £44,000 in June 2022 from the son of David Key, Prince Philip’s former chauffeur. Finished in Keswick Green, the Defender was commissioned by the Duke of Edinburgh and built to his individual specification. Accompanying the car was a file containing correspondence between Jaguar Land Rover and David Key. It’s no secret that the duke, who died aged 99 in 2021, had a deep love affair with Land Rovers and granted the brand a Royal Warrant more than 40 years ago. Ahead of the hammer falling, Silverstone Auctions said that the vehicle boasted an “enviable combination of Royal provenance, an individual…

MIDLANDS-based independent 4x4 specialist and expedition equipment supplier, APB Trading Ltd, is opening for its first and only Saturday of the year, allowing customers to view its extensive range of vehicle accessories. APB Trading is the sole UK importer for several South African companies and the idea of the open day is to demonstrate what makes their products so suitable for anyone planning an overland adventure. Brands on display include Bushwakka (off-road camper trailers), Eezi-Awn K9 (pioneer of the roof tent), National Luna (travel refrigeration expert), as well as Escape Gear (canvas seat covers), Bushtech (heavy load canopy tops), Campmor (canvas ground tents) and Gstove (camping stoves and other outdoor living accessories). Display and customer vehicles will be on show to allow potential customers a hands-on practical demonstration of the…

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO MARTIN@LRM.CO.UK A missing mule Do you think your readers could help me track down our old family Lightweight? The photo shows how it was back in the ’90s. It was known as Muffin the Mule and was even signwritten as this on the bonnet. Might anyone know where Muffin is now? Alistair Sommerville MARTIN REPLIES: Does anyone know where Muffin might have ended up? If you do, let me know and I’ll put Alistair in touch. Is 3D printing the answer? I read with interest David Smith’s letter regarding tracking down some light guards for his Freelander 2. Is this not a good opportunity for 3D laser printing? I had a small plastic item quoted at £10 recently and I have found a company in Colchester,…