1988 NINETY 200Tdi

EMILY MURCH, CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT

Tell us about your Ninety project

It has had a rather interesting history. It was my first-ever car after passing my driving test. I then had it for four years before rolling it and ending up in a ditch one cold and frosty morning. I was obviously upset. We then spent two weeks rebuilding it before selling it on.

Is that the end of the story?

No. At the end of October last year I bought my first true love back again as a project. My other half, Jack Allchurch (who has graced the pages of this wonderful magazine), and our mates Ben and Dave helped me go and pick her up again as I needed a trailer.

What sort of condition was it in?

It has had a 200 Tdi engine (from a Discovery) since the first time I owned it and as you know they run like a dream. I will send the engine away to get reconditioned as it needs a bit of love and care. As for the poor Ninety it had a very, very hard life before coming back to me for the final time.

What are the plans?

It has to have a full rebuild and after that I will show it off and enjoy it. That’s what old Land Rovers are for, right?

What have you done so far?

We have stripped off all the bodywork. The dash is out, the springs and shocks have been removed. There are wires everywhere and so the next big thing is removing the chassis.

I want to rebuild it from the bottom up. The way it should be done. So the next few jobs are taking the weight off the engine and removing the chassis. Then I will have to rebuild the axles.

Repair or replace the chassis?

That will be the next big job for me. I want a new galvanised chassis and bulkhead. That is not the cheapest part of the project, but she is nearly 35 years old. What has been the toughest part of the project?

The hardest part for me has been to see when it all gets taken apart. I find that part a bit sad really. One of the positives I suppose is that you can identify all the bodges and put them right. I just wish that I had more time to work on the project. Things tend to get in the way.

I’m hopeful that it will all be done by 2023, but it’s such a big project as most LRM readers will know. Especially when you do it properly.

Who has been helping you?

I have already mentioned my other half Jack, who knows a thing or two about Land Rovers. Then I have my two best friends Dave and Ben; without them this project would not be possible. Is this starting to sound like an Oscar acceptance speech?

Jack is currently rewiring his Defender 90 plus he is also doing some other bits to it, so that is taking priority at the moment. Me and my project helpers are all on Instagram. It would be great if your readers could give us a follow, advice or just check out what we are up to. See @Jacksallchurch, @BLB.CUSTOMS and I am on @3mizy.