Cummins Power Weekend

Some say a Land Rover should have a Land Rover engine, but this group has turned that idea on its head to form a true Land Rover classic brand

Meet the enthusiasts who think a Cummins 6BT diesel lump should be on every Land Rover owner’s wish list

AERON VIEW camping site, nestling peacefully in the rolling Welsh hills is known for its scenery and tranquillity. But we all need to party some time – welcome to the Cummins Power Weekend. Noon on Saturday was the designated time to fire up a collective 120-litres of six-cylinder diesel engines for a power cruise from Blaenpennal in mid-wales to the unexpecting seaside town of Aberystwyth. The Cummins Power Weekend, hosted by Nick and Dina Downs at Aeron View Camping, was the very first dedicated meet of these mighty vehicles, their owners and their builders.

It was the early May bank holiday weekend and Nick had invited me to cover the event for LRM. Wife Jules and I travelled in our Defender 110 whose Td5 engine was a wimpish 3.5-litres shy of the Cummins-engined machinery that arrived for the Friday night’s meet and greet.

The full event began the next day with the Cummins cavalcade through the Ceredigion countryside toward the sea at Aberaeron. A mist wafted over the low cliffs as the convoy followed the coastal route north, on to Aberystwyth for a line-up, and then ice creams on the promenade. From here there was some confusion and fun as we realised the promenade was a cul-de-sac, causing us all to turn around and head past each other in the opposite direction amid much hooting and waving. Holiday makers certainly looked surprised as we convoyed through Aberystwyth town centre where they waved their ice cream cornets at us, though I’m still not sure about the bloke with two flakes in his 99.

Back at Aeron View, Nick produced an exciting flying display by feeding the local kites (that’s the feathery type, not

the ones on string) and engine manufacturer, Cummins, had sent along two superb cutaway display engines which created a lot of discussion. There was plenty of time to chat into the evening and enjoy a hog roast while an incredible one-man band pumped out live music and song. There was a terrific buzz and atmosphere throughout the evening until the descending hill mist and dusk extinguished all but a few glowing camp lights and late night chatter.

On Sunday the meeting was open to the public to view the 26 vehicles that attended and to chat to their owners. A brilliant weekend for all which, through sales of cakes, regalia, donations and a stall on Aberystwyth sea front, raised £365 for Air Ambulance Wales.

To learn more of the Cummins Land Rover Group, get in touch with via their Facebook site. For now, here’s a selection of the machines, their builders and drivers from the event.

Standard 90 pick-up has 5.9-litre Cummins under bonnet

Michael Mathieson drove the 570 miles from Aberdeen in his One Ten Hi-cap. The 150 bhp Cummins 6BT engine (lifted with its gearbox from a 10 tonne DAF truck) has been improved with changes to the turbocharger, timing gears, injector tips and fuel pump, and the truck has electric power steering.

This Cummins-powered replica 1932 Railton Special built by car restorer Terry Clarke was a star of the show. Its 6.7-litre Cummins diesel with turbocharger and supercharger puts 485 bhp through its rear-drive Land Rover Salisbury axle.

BELOW: Stretched 142-inch wheelbase Defender belonging to Reece Myers is fitted with a Cummins ISB electronically-controlled 24-valve engine driving through a ZF S5/42 gearbox from a DAF truck. It develops 175 bhp and, thanks to an Edge chip box, an extra 120 bhp can be switched in on the move. Reece makes conversion parts for the Cummins/land Rover installations.

Lewis Naylor’s Discovery 1 conversion features Discovery 2 rear air suspension springs fitted to both axles, with individual height control.