1968 Land Rover SIIA SWB

WHO? Paul Betts MILES 145,000 PROVENANCE Former farm vehicle MODS Springs and hubs HOW MANY LEFT? 711 on UK roads

HOW LONG HAVE YOU OWNED THE CAR?

I bought the vehicle in 2010. A farmer in Essex advertised it on ebay. It’s a petrol seven-seater with Safari roof. Luckily the auction ended on the same day as the FA Cup final and people seemed to be watching that rather than bidding. A snip at £1030 – plus a further set of mud tyres thrown in. It had six months of MOT left but I began to doubt the value of that while driving north up the M11 to Norfolk, pumping the brake pedal to stop. Good strong engine, though.

HOW MUCH HISTORY?

I have done quite a bit of work to it. It had been used as a farm vehicle for most of its life so I think the mud had protected much of the chassis, although after cleaning it showed it needed welding underneath, replacement outriggers and rustproofing. I had the gearbox overhauled by a local specialist and a new clutch fitted at the same time. A good investment although more than the purchase price. The mileage is 145k (old MOT certificates confirm this). I have no other history. It’s current agreed value is £5500.

HAS IT BEEN MODIFIED?

Only with an electronic distributer plus a few sensible upgrades. I’ve fitted a stainless exhaust, replaced the cart springs with parabolics and changed the freewheeling hubs to standard because I was fed up with getting in and out to switch over. The fuel consumption has barely changed.

WHAT’S LEFT TO DO ON IT?

I re-sprayed it a couple of years ago and it could probably do with a touch up now, but I’m not bothered.