Ireland’s finest pair
The infectious bug of South Africa’s special Defender spreads further
BACK when I had started my search for a South African Defender 90 with the 2.8i six-cylinder BMW petrol engine, LRM Editor Patrick Cruywagen told me about one that was located on a driveway over in Stirling, Scotland. In fact, this particular one had been featured in the Work in Progress section at the back of the magazine a couple of years ago. I duly made contact with the owner, only to be told that the Land Rover was definitely not for sale. “Not for sale, but keep in touch”. And I did – Jason (the owner) and I corresponded numerous times over the following two years.
At one stage, finding myself in Scotland – taking my son to begin his first year at university – I even visited to meet Jason and see the Land Rover. But no deal could
be struck. I moved on with my search for a 2.8i Defender and eventually purchased one that was located in Durban, South Africa. I’m sure that I have already told the story of trials and tribulations in getting the Land Rover exported from South Africa and home to Northern Ireland, via London Gateway. Suffice to say it was a tricky process (but well worth the effort).
No less than two good friends of mine became very interested in acquiring one of the special Defenders, which were assembled in South African (from TKD kits) for the South African market and when I got the hint from Jason that he might actually part with his truck, I was all over it – like the proverbial “cheap suit”!
The deal was on-off-on a few times – it is a big wrench for Jason to part with his Defender – but finally terms were agreed for the purchase of the Land Rover. I was prepared to buy it myself and hold it in abeyance for now, but my friend Michael King was smitten by the almighty sounds that my 2.8i could make through its very special exhaust system. So it was decided that Michael would become the new owner.
Because I have the honour of taking care of the Land Rover side of Michael’s fleet (he also owns motorcycles, vans, campers and a rather fast Audi), I also had the pleasure of making the trip over the Irish Sea to Scotland, with my trailer, to collect the Defender. Jason was genuinely sad to see the Land Rover go and told me that there had been tears from his children before they left for school, because it would be gone on their return. On a brighter note, there will be a 110 Station Wagon purchased to replace the 90 – which crucially will have forward-facing seats for the children (and as long as Jason can find one with the 2.8i engine).
I really enjoy adventure trips such as this one, particularly when the weather is fine – as it was on the day. On the return journey to Cairnryan port, I stopped for a break at a motorway services and had couple of dudes come over to ask me about the Land Rover. Likewise, when waiting at the port to board the ferry, other motorists came to look at my purchase. When a Land Rover is loaded up on a trailer, it is very easy to see the condition of the chassis, footwells etc. Although the paint was faded on this particular 2.8i, those who looked at it could not believe the amazing condition of the chassis and whole underside of the Land Rover. It is mint!
So we now have a second 2.8i Defender in Ireland and I am very much looking forward the getting this one ready for MOT and carry out the other inevitable improvements that Michael will desire.