JAMES HALLOWELL, AUSTRALIA, MECHANIC 1957 SERIES I TWIN CAB

Tell us about yourself… I’m originally from Halifax, West Yorkshire, but I’m now living in Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia.

I’m a heavy machinery mechanic for Caterpillar and also run Yorkshire 4x4 Works, a Land Rover Specialist.

How did you find this Series I? My friend knows I’m a tragic for an old Landy, having owned, restored and enjoyed many weird and wonderful creations, so he sent me a picture of it. He found it in a paddock next to a farm shed where he was delivering goods, so I phoned the owner.

What did he say? The owner’s wife insisted the old thing had to go, but they were both happy it went to someone who is going to enjoy it. I call him Stretch because he has a 126 inch wheelbase.

When will it be on the road? I’ve only had Stretch three months, but I hope to have him running for Land Rover’s 70th anniversary next year.

What sort of condition is it in? Dusty, but in amazingly good condition. He was converted to a twin cab in the 1970s and has a Holden 186 sixcylinder engine, driving a Holden M21 two-wheel drive, four-speed gearbox. Drive is then taken backwards to a midmounted, International transfer case, with rear drive to a Series II axle and out to the front via a two-piece prop, with a centre bearing mounted on an additional crossmember.

The differentials are Rover 90 items for a higher cruising speed. All the linkages for the gearbox and transfer are rose jointed.

There’s no seat box, so the floor is flat and as a result he has a Ford Zephyr front bench seat!

How is the engine running? It turns and that’s a start! Holden stuff is pretty unbreakable so I wouldn’t envisage it will need much work. Parts are cheap and plentiful anyway. What have you done so far? I’ve changed some oils to make sure there were no nasty surprises and cleaned him up.

What will be the hardest part? It’s going to be interesting if the chassis requires any work. It is boxed and sleeved with rails that look like they used to belong to the Forth Bridge, so it will most definitely test my patience – and my grinder!

What will it look like when it’s done? I can’t decide whether to paint him Bronze Green with a Limestone roof, that lovely deep blue the 107 Station Wagons came in, or keep him grey with a white roof.

Any other projects on the go? A Tuscan Blue Suffix B Range Rover and a 1983 four-door Range Rover.

Once finished what are your plans? We’ll be using him for Series I outings and just enjoying him out and about.