"With a restoration like this it has required a number of new replacement parts"

chassis. The suspension was replaced with new Oem-spec leaf springs, and the axles completely rebuilt with new halfshafts, bearings and swivels.

The original steering box had been previously changed with one out of a later SIIA model so the boys sourced a 1959 item, which meant it could still have its periodcorrect spoke steering wheel, complete with the old side-mounted horn push and Tex Magna indicator stalk.

The brakes have been kept standard on drums, but what they have done is servo assisted it from the Series III, probably a good idea if they're attempting Stelvio Pass! That wasn't an easy modification though, with the lads having to modify the driver's side wing to house the servo.

The rims off a Series IIB Forward Control were sourced as they're bigger and more heavy-duty compared to the standard wheels, measuring 6.5 inch and 16 inch as opposed to 5 inch and 16 inch respectively. "This also meant we could fit wider tyres. We were torn between three sets, BFG Goodrich KM2S, Continental Crosscontacts and the Goodyear Wrangler MT/RS. We decided to go with the Goodyears [235/85] as we’ve heard a lot of good things about their performance on- and off-road," explains Andy.

Neither the gearbox nor the engine (now seized solid) was the vehicle's original – a 2.25 diesel – so they decided to swap it for the 200Tdi from a Defender. "Having thoroughly gone over it and found that the engine must have been recently rebuilt this saved a lot of much-needed time. Even after around two years of sitting, and from a cold start, the engine fired up first time and ran like a dream. That was a huge tick off the list,” says Andy with a smile. “This is the best engine for the trip and we now have a fully synchronised Series III gearbox, after rebuilding it with an Ashcroft High Ratio Transfer Case – a modification we've all done a few times before. At least now, we'll have more torque, the vehicle will be better for cruising and slightly less thirsty.”

They were able to retain the throttle pedal linkage with a small adaption using some old parts from Andy's 109, whilst the intercooler, believe it or not, is from a Renault 5.

Next in line was the bodywork. "The door panels weren't fantastic; the bottoms had rotted out, as they tend to on old Land Rovers, so we sourced replacements.

"The tub floor was also replaced with new supports and top hat sections together with a new rear panel. The body had certainly suffered from a lot of metal worm and electrolysis, suffice to it will almost be a new car when it's finished," admits Andy.

Not a huge fan of the Deep Bronze Green the car rolled off the production line in, the team decided to go for Dark Grey. As Andy's 109 is already Marine Blue, he wanted something slightly different, but still harks back to Land Rovers gone by.

Moving inside, the original dash panel was