INSTA STAR
Instagram handle: @landierestoration Biog: “Father and daughter fixing up a 2000 Land Rover Defender, with no mechanical experience - we just follow the manual!” Followers: 165
IT has been a dream of Simon Johnson’s for a long time to get his hand on a Defender project. Together with his daughter, Ellie, they have become quite the duo on this journey that they started in July 2019… But is a Landy project ever really over? One year on, the team have come a long way in restoring their 2000 Defender 90 Td5, and it is already seeing more of the world than from the quarry where it resided before, but there is still much more to come...
From the start
After many hours spent scrolling through Defender classifieds, reading forums and watching every DIY programme, Simon and Ellie found the Landy for them.
Simon was so eager to start he assigned himself project manager, typical dad move, and as soon as possible parts were coming off. Fortunately, Ellie was also present and using skills from her university degree, she took a more methodical approach. “I was impatient enough, so I didn’t need encouragement to cut corners – Ellie’s words not mine!” Simon told us.
What happened first?
To their delight, when the 90 arrived some of the required work had already started. The gearbox was out, along with various bolts, nuts and mystery parts. Best of all, it was in good shape. This 90 had previously worked in a quarry for 15 years and came to them covered in clay. Unbelievably, the clay
possibly helped in preserving the chassis, leaving very little to repair and protect. The plan was to start at the front and work their way back, finishing with the hardest jobs. Ellie came up with the idea and made sure everything that belonged on the Landy was carefully labelled along the way. If Hayne’s are thinking of recruiting, look no further!
The IG page
Ellie started the Insta page for the project so that they could keep their journey and Landy’s progress documented to share with friends and family. By the time they had started posting a couple of photos of their project, they found the Landy community, along with their projects, experiences and advice, getting involved, too.
What keeps them going?
Simon and Ellie are both very determined, love spending the time together making memories and learning new things all the time from their Land Rover. When the going gets tough, Simon reminds himself of how much he dreamed of rebuilding a Defender, but never thought it would happen. It’s quite obvious that his love for Land Rovers was infectious. Before Simon’s dad sadly passed away several years ago, they would talk about Land Rovers and restoring them for hours.
“Whether something didn’t go right, or we’d passed MOT day with flying colours, I felt his presence,” he tells us.
For Ellie, perseverance is something she has gained through another special part of her life, being a primary school teacher. “There’s no doubt, Ellie keeps me on track,” he adds.
“She’s use to dealing with my tantrums and I had plenty of those!”
Everyone together
It’s a well-known fact that Land Rovers bring people together in many ways. Simon and Ellie are both very honest from the in their bio when it comes to their lack of mechanical experience, but I think that just makes it all the more fun when there’s two. They tell me that friends have been really involved and the help given is something they couldn’t put a price on. A close friend, Iain, is a clear expert that is always there to lend a helping hand. Despite losing his sight several years ago, it doesn’t stop him; in fact, he recently completed a nut-and-bolt resto on a Mark I Ford Escort RS2000. Simon and Ellie know that if there was a bolt they couldn’t remove, he could. “Complete a few small jobs at a time and don’t look at the big picture,” was Iain’s advice.
Family and the Landys
This is not the first Landy Simon or Ellie have had the pleasure of owning. Their first was a Series SWB pick-up called ‘Ollie’, named after Oliver Reid, as it had a similar thirst problem, shall we say. Ollie would be used for regular fishing trips in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. When Simon met his wife, Sonia, he realised he couldn’t afford to travel 250 miles to Perth every week. He eventually purchased a Discovery Sport and the whole family enjoyed it, but it only made the Landy itch worse! “It’s a fantastic vehicle, so great it rekindled my love for Land Rovers again,” he confesses. Now the family has the best of both worlds and Simon still takes the 90 on fishing trips. Even better they both match in white!
Plans for the future
The dynamic duo and their Landy have come a long way and they are at a place where they can use it for everything, from being a daily driver, to taking the whole family on holiday to the south coast. It especially comes in handy for our muddy spaniels after a day at the river. “Hopefully I can wrestle the keys off dad and take her for some runs out in the Scottish countryside,” says Ellie, grinning.
Why this account?
Land Rovers start with family; they have always been a family brand, even today. There can never be enough Landy restorations, but it is truly special to watch parents, children or any family get involved together and bring a Landy to life. Folks like Simon, Ellie and their family and friends are what keep the spirit of everything Land Rover alive.