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Many thanks for the comments everyone - I feel kinda guilty seeing as all I've actually done is buy the car and drive it back to Area 52 (via a very long winded route taking in an MOT & post office on the way) Please say it's coming to 'Beach Party' as I would really like to see it up close. Well, that's the plan. I'll be doing some service work on it today & tomorrow because it's been stood up for 18 months (the legacy of Bryn being just a bit of a busy bee!) but if all goes well it should be trundling down to the beach. ;D PS don't change it too much please There will be quite a few changes I'm afraid, but I hope to keep them all in the 'spirit' of the car. You should know me by now, I can't leave anything alone. Fingers crossed it'll all be for the 'greater good' though.  Did you tell Bryn about the shiny paint and billet wheels or was that just mine and your secret  I wasn't going to let anyone know about those plans yet, but seeing as you've mentioned it, I might as wel admit it's going to be getting the FULL Boyd Coddington treatment. *not*I don't know every intricate detail, but the basics are: 1948 Series I Land Rover body with a coupple of Series II panels and custom bulkhead sat on a Rover P4 chassis. Engine is Range Rover 3.9 V8 and a 3sp autobox. The rest I need to work out.... Reconnecting with an old special mate after a long long time has got to be one of the greatest feelings, embrace the bromance. Oh, Bryn is a 'special' mate for sure. In more ways than one. Plenty of bromance to be shared around too.... ;D Please don't let the Lotus drop out of favour! I am really looking forward to seeing how it turns out!! Don't worry Pete, it's certainly not going to be dropping out of favour....far from it. I wasn't going to be in a position to do anything much to it for a good few months anyway so this coming along hasn't changed anything really. The plans for the Elite are still very much there and in place. ...have you got the Retro Cars with it in, if not, would you like me to send my copy? Thanks Dude, I rushed out and bought a copy as soon as that issue was out. If you do have a spare I can pinch, I'd be grateful though...to keep safe for posterity. Thanks. Lots of gushing comments..... Oh, and this post has, IN NO WAY, been influenced by the fact that I'll be riding shotgun for my 29th...also known as Wheels Day! Thanks Dude. I know Bryn has used this vehicle 'as intended' and spent so much time enjoying it that he didn't get around to doing some of the planned mods he'd been intending. I can't say I blame him, once behind the wheel, you just grin and grin. I do hope to make some changes though...but it sure as hell won't stop me enjoying it whenever I can in the meantime. As for the 29th, boy am I looking forward to that! |
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Once the Volvo was moved aside, we turned our attention to fitting the new battery, checking all the fluid levels and re-tensioning the water pump belt.  All that under bonnet stuff done it was time to fire the beast up. It started straight away despite having been stood for a long while. Bryn explained about the LPG set-up and that was it really.... If there is one thing I hate more than anything it's being in front of a camera, but in this instance I agreed to the shot...more for posterity than anything else! The end of one chapter and the start of another. It was official, I was now the owner of 'THAT' Land Rover (or Bryns Land Rover as I will always know it)  Here it is, ready to go. Just the small matter of getting it out of the lock-up now.  I thought it best to let Bryn drive it out.  Easy you'd think? Not in this case. A drop in tyre pressure meant it grounded to a halt on the lip/step at the threshold of the lock-up. Lots of pushing, planks of wood and toing & frowing ensued until finally the beast was outside. This thing is low. VERY low! Outside, Bryn borrowed the airline from the lock-up next door and pumped the tyres up. Dave assisted in moving the car back & forth until the valves were in the right place. Having reverse rims on the rear means having to pump the tyres up on the inside of the wheel - I'll have to remember that.  Pretty much ready to go....  We load up the metal crates which I'd brought along to carry some tools, waterproofs (just in case), paperwork camera etc...then follow Bryn to the fuel station around the corner. My first drive was quite literally made from 30% awe, 30% grin and 30% nerves. Bryn took a video of it as we drove down the dual carriageway to the fuel station. Once Bryn showed the (simple) process of how to fill with LPG, we did our farewell manhugs and headed our seperate ways....kind of sad, but equally very exciting! 70 miles of driving ahead of us to get to M-Tech in Westbury for the MOT. 3hrs, PLENTY of time.... |
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This ride is so awesome, i can't wait to see it at the weekend...
....although it's lowness is making me jealous so I'm off to put the lower springs back into my car ;D
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My estimate to get to Westbury was an hour and a half. It took us all three! I managed to take a wrong turn, then another and ended up somewhere a long way from where we were heading. Usually this would really stress me out, but not in this car. No way....it's WAAAAAYY too much fun to be concerned about having to do more miles, "Oh no, we seem to be lost, oh well, lets just keep driving" The car crashes, bangs and rattles over potholes and speedbumps (which have to be taken as a given that you're going to scrape) but on the open road, the ride is actually pretty good. Maybe it's the noise of the exhaust and the sheer grin factor that masks everything else, but who cares, this thing is just brilliant. Utterly, utterly brilliant. Suddenly I feel sad for Bryn.  ^^ That feeling ^^ lasts all of 2 seconds until we hit another pot hole and Dave & I crease up laughing. Whatever you're train of thought is in this thing, it really doesn't last long. Fantastic! 3hrs,  ? many miles more than we needed to do and countless laughs later and we end up in Westbury for the MOT. Bang on 4pm when the car is booked in. I drive staright into the yard only for EVERYONE to pour out and surround the car. They all love it! I say Hi so Si (B8D) who works there and then pull the car into the MOT area    Matt, the owner of M-tech, gets started on the MOT:  Throughout the MOT, the other guys wander over to keep having a look at the car. Matt isn't bothered that they aren't working....it seems this machine just attracts lots of love. It's only natural when you see it in the flesh.  Apart from one indicator flashing a bit fast, it passes! YAY!!!!!1!! I can now get the car off the ramp and pop over to the nearest post office to get it taxed......for the grand sum of SWEET FA!!   Once back from the post office, I take Si out for a quick blast. Dave grabs my camera to take some shots. Not the best setting, a 70's industrial estate....but who cares?  I let Si have a go too. The auto box is playing up a bit and I want Si to see what he thinks. mechanical stuff aside....he LOVES it!  It may not appear it in this pic, but on the inside I am grinning like a complete LOON!  We load up the metal crates, say our goodbyes and point the car in the direction of Bristol. Now MOT'd and taxed we can take all the detours we like. We do! |
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Another couple of hours (at least) to do a 1hr journey...taking in quite a few detours just for the hell of it (well, wouldn't you??) we finally arrive at Area 52 where we meet up with Rich and Zoe. After some scaffold plank action and scraping, we manage to get it into the unit and tea is made. Conversation follows and Rich & Dave sit in the thing while chatting away drinking their cuppas  Words cannot express how much love I have for this thing. I know I've said it before, but everyone else seems to love it too. It brings out the best in people it would seem (the owner of the Alfa Spider Boat Tail in Bath who tooted his horn and waved frantically would be proof of that....it seems to transcend any snobbery or attitudes towards what is a chopped about classic Land Rover!)  This photo sums it up for me. It's not about the car specifically, but the way it seems to bring people together. Rich & Dave were happily chatting in the car for ages, drinking tea and just enjoying it. Perfect.  This car is going to be a great adventure and I look forward to it. A LOT! See you at the beach everyone..... |
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Mar 23, 2012 10:12:33 GMT
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That is brilliant! I am hoping to get to Prescott in august, so it will be nice to see some of these vehicles in the flesh.
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I'm not wrong, you just don't agree with me.
There's a difference!
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cianha
Part of things
aka VDubbin
Posts: 923
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Mar 23, 2012 10:13:01 GMT
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Well, that's just made my Friday morning! Can't add to the superlatives mentioned above, this car and thread makes the rest of us look like pussies…
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Mar 23, 2012 12:43:12 GMT
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Oh man, I'm so delighted that you've finally got it and the story has broken cover! I'm genuinely brimming with excitement for you! Can't wait to see you start your plan for this, the only person I know who could make some changes without losing the current feel of the car whilst bringing it on to the next level. More pictures please who drew them up? Any more required you know what to do man ;D |
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Club Retro Rides Member
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Mar 23, 2012 12:54:05 GMT
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It has got to pass judgement with one other. One small, blonde giggle thing who calls you uncle Bruce.
I'm sure she'll love it though!
See you in a bit, albeit for a brief visit.
Chris
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joeytalent
Part of things
ITB Everything.
Posts: 440
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Mar 23, 2012 13:10:51 GMT
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I'm fairly new to the site - for my benefit, where might I read more about this car?  |
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wooffy
Part of things
Posts: 31
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Mar 23, 2012 13:32:58 GMT
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Always fancied the idea of slamming on old landy. Never knew about this one till now obviously.
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Mar 23, 2012 13:36:41 GMT
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Mar 23, 2012 13:42:28 GMT
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Mar 23, 2012 13:52:03 GMT
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Epic- cant wait to see what your plans our for this beast
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2001 Micra 998 - Daily
1986 Mini Mayfair 998 - Former Daily - Garaged
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Tim
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,340
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Mar 23, 2012 14:27:14 GMT
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Nice purchase :-)
I know Bryn was talking about reworking the rear suspension to alleviate scrubline issues - did that happen?
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rems
Part of things
Posts: 150
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Mar 23, 2012 15:42:59 GMT
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this is awesome i cant wait to see what you have in store for this i saw the feature of it in fast car a while back and just loved it |
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Copey
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,845
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Mar 23, 2012 15:48:53 GMT
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love this thing, got some cracking rake!!
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1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire GLSi with 2.0 Zetec
1985 Ford Capri 3.0 (was a 2.0 Laser originally)
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Mar 23, 2012 16:46:38 GMT
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ah, this thread explains why i saw it driving towards trowbridge on my way home from work the other night... nice purchase  |
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,717
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Mar 23, 2012 17:02:03 GMT
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was very excited when you told me about this the other day, it looks sooooooo cool bet it is a really hoot to drive almost didn't recognise you with the beard Bruce!! Good effort ;D |
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Mar 23, 2012 17:05:59 GMT
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So glad after all this time its now yours, also good to see that the secret was kept by us all (i completely forgot you were buying it ;D)
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1939 Francis Barnett Powerbike
1971 Honda C90
1992 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5 GLX
1993 Fiat Panda Selecta
2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van
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[*]
[*]
Please say it's coming to 'Beach Party' as I would really like to see it up close.
PS don't change it too much please 
Did you tell Bryn about the shiny paint and billet wheels or was that just mine and your secret 
whats its spec? 
Reconnecting with an old special mate after a long long time has got to be one of the greatest feelings, embrace the bromance. 
Please don't let the Lotus drop out of favour! I am really looking forward to seeing how it turns out!!
...have you got the Retro Cars with it in, if not, would you like me to send my copy?
? many miles more than we needed to do and countless laughs later and we end up in Westbury for the MOT. Bang on 4pm when the car is booked in.
Ax GTi Turbo