Too good to miss
When his cousin offers up his specially-prepared V8 off-roader Trevor can’t resist
JUST when you think that you own as many Defenders as you could possibly ever need, another one comes along that is simply too good to miss out on. Not for the first time, this has happened to yours truly.
I was minding my own business in the workshop recently – putting the finishing touches to a client re-chassis – when my cousin David called in for a visit. There is nothing unusual in this, as he visits fairly regularly to talk Land Rovers, among other things. It crossed my mind that David had appeared to check if there was any update on when I would be starting his Defender 90 V8 50th Anniversary rebuild – and perhaps to apply a little subtle pressure. He owns one of the highly sought-after V8 automatics and has booked it in for a new chassis, as the original is not in wonderful shape.
No, my cousin had visited for a catch-up and to show me his new toy, which was a very purposeful-looking, specially-prepared V8 off-roader. Wow, the Land Rover really looked the business! “But why?” I asked, because his first V8 off-roader had just had a full roll cage professionally fitted, as well as new tyres and under-body protection. It turned out he fancied a change and this one that he had found online really appealed to him.
The obvious question was about what was going to happen to the original off-roader? Well, to keep the story brief, what happened to it was that I bought it! The price was right, because David wanted an easy sale, without having to put up with tyre-kickers and time -wasters – and, of course, I simply couldn’t resist.
The main attraction for me was the 3.9 V8 Efi engine (with only 85k on it), the R380 manual gearbox, the fabulous roll cage and the galvanised chassis. The bodywork is pretty darn good too and no signs of door or bulkhead rust. All at the right price, from a man I can fully trust.
I duly got the funds together and travelled the 20 miles to David’s place with my trailer, on a wet summer’s evening to load up the V8. The V8 fired up easily and runs oh-so-sweetly and we soon had her secured to my trailer. David took the opportunity to sort out his barn a little with the extra space created and got busy loading the V8 50th onto his own trailer. I asked about where he was taking it to – had he found someone else to fit the new chassis? No, he was loading it onto the trailer so that it was ready to be delivered to me. No pressure then – and very subtly done, I reckon.
Actually I am very much looking forward to rebuilding the 50th Anniversary Defender, as I have never taken one apart before. I just hope everything is in good shape underneath, when the body is lifted off.
Now, what am I going to do with my newly-acquired V8? I bought it with a plan to re-join the Northern Ireland Land Rover Club (NILRC) – if they’ll have me – and perhaps Tristan and I could go out and have some fun with it.
However, I’m part-way through building another off-roader and time constraints are a continuing issue at my workshop, so it’s not looking good for getting out in the V8 anytime soon.
I guess if it sits around too long, I’ll talk myself into selling her again but it would be a shame not to get the tyres dirty first.