DEFENDER2.NET - View topic - Series 3 88" Project Initiated

↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home · FAQ · New Posts · My Posts · PMs · Search · Members · Map · Calendar · Profile · Donate · Register · Log In

Home > Series Land Rovers > Series 3 88" Project Initiated

Page 2 of 3

Print this entire topic ·

MattH268

Member Since: 01 Dec 2021
Location: Moray
Posts: 66

2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 HCPU Fuji White

Thank you, I am really looking forward to starting this project, I was getting close to abandoning the idea.

It does need total restoration. I think it had spent years out in the open but in a useable condition so was never stripped for parts and it unbelievably had been on the roads until recently. The chassis really is half eaten Swiss cheese, it was probably one pothole away from collapse and scrap only! It did make it to its current location on the ramp before the clutch died.

In time a name will come to me as both of my Defenders have names and it's a must for me.

I'll try to keep this post updated but there will inevitably be huge pauses as it really will be a long-term project for me. Saturday will see me collect it, but the first real hurdle will be getting the vehicle home. I have the space, just not the access to it for a vehicle yet. I know it is all arse about face, I should have been set up first, then find a project vehicle but this one popped up locally and with the potential I had been seeking. I've no doubt bitten off more than I can chew but at least I know it can only get better, hopefully.

300tdi 90 CSW
2.2tdci 110 HCPU
1972 Series 3 88" Truck Cab

1st Dec 2023 12:49pm

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 717

MattH268 wrote:
I admit that I am wrong to use the word "patina". I have associated the word "patina" to be patterns created to an object by age and having been subject to the weather & other input that in this case give a vehicle a "period look". I am wrong though; it is the incorrect word to use as it's none of the below. So, in this case it's just tatty patchy faded paint caused by decades spent outside that I like and would like to keep

See synonyms for patina on Thesaurus.com

noun

a film or incrustation, usually green, produced by oxidation on the surface of old bronze and often esteemed as being of ornamental value.

a similar film or coloring appearing gradually on some other substance.

a surface calcification of implements, usually indicating great age.

Exactly. Most vehicles described with "patina" are just scruffy, tatty vehicles looking like they need a lot of love. It isn't period, because Nobody ever sold new vehicles in that condition. It is just an Urban trend of the fashion brigade to try and justify a ropy looking vehicle and make it an image thing... cool innit...

I think the look hails from the rat rod image which only started 25 years back, so fairly recent. Itself an extension of rat bike.

Since then certain American vehicles (as many don't rust to

in their warmer climate areas) have spawned the patina craze by taking an old sun baked vehicle with very light surface rust and slamming it to be a hot rod.

TV exposure has made this look very trendy and in the last 5-10 years has spawned loads of people wanting to call any unloved wreck of a car "patina". When in reality they are usually just shabby looking.

If you like this look, fine. But by definition it is not "Patina":

Click image to enlarge

1st Dec 2023 12:51pm

Stacey007

Member Since: 25 Sep 2015
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3748

Sounds like that's how we roll

Buy something and then worry about the where / how / what etc...

It will all work out.

Is the Number plate read anything, Mine looks a bit like Hobgoblin and I like the beer so that's his name

1st Dec 2023 1:10pm

MattH268

Member Since: 01 Dec 2021
Location: Moray
Posts: 66

The reg does have a few potentials but I've not had the "that's it" moment just yet looking at it. Maybe when it's sat in front of me again something will crop up. 300tdi 90 CSW
2.2tdci 110 HCPU
1972 Series 3 88" Truck Cab

1st Dec 2023 1:16pm

geobloke

Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

camelman wrote:
^^^^ And you'd still be able to go most places any of today's fancy tools will take you

Yup and have a lot more fun doing it probably as well.

1st Dec 2023 1:26pm

MattH268

Member Since: 01 Dec 2021
Location: Moray
Posts: 66

Well, it's been bought and collected and now resides in limbo for a few months (probably). It's a tatty old beastie and whilst it probably left the factory brown and as a station wagon it's going to take some effort to make it right again. Driver door top frame is beyond salvage, glass is ok though. The bulkhead other than around the lower door hinge is surprisingly ok given the chassis condition. It definitely going to be a plan for the worst hope for the best.

Click image to enlarge 300tdi 90 CSW
2.2tdci 110 HCPU
1972 Series 3 88" Truck Cab

2nd Dec 2023 8:29pm

L110CDL

Member Since: 31 Oct 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 10742

Great to see you got her / him, home now

1996 Golf Blue 300Tdi 110 Pick up.

Keeper.

Clayton.

4th Dec 2023 8:50pm

MattH268

Member Since: 01 Dec 2021
Location: Moray
Posts: 66

For the time being the name is going to be oil as the letters in the reg sound like it and it's definitely an oily beastie!

So far, I've accumulated most of the manuals for the vehicle and ordered my Heritage certificate. I know it's had 2 colour changes. It's now marine blue (i think) and it was brown (russet i think) but in 1972 I don't think that Russet Brown was an option, so I don't know what colour it left the factory as. There is some grey visible but that could be primer.

I've ordered a Richards Chassis via my local specialist, I'd ideally wanted a Marsland chassis, but I couldn't justify the extra cost in the end. Let's hope that decision holds true and doesn't return to bite me! Plus, I've requested just about everything needed to rewire a series 3 88" from Autosparks. Having seen the cobweb of random additions and an assortment of connectors it needs a full rewire. The ignition is fubar'd - might be an immobiliser? as there is another key slot in the dash on the right but no key for it and you start it via an override button on the side of the binnacle, the key does nothing!

I'm now trying to decide what to do with the doors. The driver's top is done and is beyond saving, the glass is good. The hinge bracket has sheared off the frame on the lower and it would need welding, the skin isn't great, the passenger door isn't too bad, but the skin has split along the top of the lower frame it needs repair work too. If I go down the route of replacing the doors complete, then you open a cosmetic can of worms. Repair what you have then the time it takes, the small parts and panels needed and the costs escalates to still cheaper but not that far off the cost of new complete galv doors! I'll need to ponder that one for a good while 🤔 300tdi 90 CSW
2.2tdci 110 HCPU
1972 Series 3 88" Truck Cab

5th Dec 2023 6:09pm

geobloke

Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

Oooo it began life as a brown CSW?!!

I have always wanted one...

I mean, just how good does this look???

Click image to enlarge

5th Dec 2023 7:04pm

MattH268

Member Since: 01 Dec 2021
Location: Moray
Posts: 66

I'm not sure, I thought the russet brown came out with the county models, could be totally wrong mind. I know it was on Rover cars in 1972 but I'm not sure if it was a factory colour in 1972 for an S3, hopefully the heritage certificate will tell me when it arrives. 300tdi 90 CSW
2.2tdci 110 HCPU
1972 Series 3 88" Truck Cab

5th Dec 2023 7:50pm

geobloke

Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

You are absolutely right that brown came out with the 80's county Series 3s. But the colour of the 80's Countys were Russet brown.

EDIT: Found this whilst looking through my bookmarks. I hadn't realised there were two browns...

Click image to enlarge

5th Dec 2023 8:11pm

strang

Member Since: 16 May 2012
Location: Happy Valley
Posts: 1380

2009 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green

geobloke wrote:
Oooo it began life as a brown CSW?!! I have always wanted one...
I mean, just how good does this look???

Click image to enlarge

Cheaper version here - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166422847821?ha...BM3vD7_Ydj Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond.....

6th Dec 2023 4:07pm

MattH268

Member Since: 01 Dec 2021
Location: Moray
Posts: 66

Certificate arrived, doesn't tell me a huge amount but it was Marine Blue to start with. Basic 88" RHD Home Market, built and dispatched within 5 days of each other at the end of November 1972 and it was number 2923 in the line. What I don't know if it started out a station wagon, truck cab, hard top or soft top. It was definitely a station wagon at some point and most probably from new but maybe someone wanted it to be a brown station wagon and added the plaque on the back, holes where a hinge was, holes where a lock was and a step. Still nice to have.

M 300tdi 90 CSW
2.2tdci 110 HCPU
1972 Series 3 88" Truck Cab

6th Dec 2023 4:55pm

Screbble

Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2098

2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

geobloke wrote:
You are absolutely right that brown came out with the 80's county Series 3s. But the colour of the 80's Countys were Russet brown.

EDIT: Found this whilst looking through my bookmarks. I hadn't realised there were two browns...

Click image to enlarge

Many light years ago our neighbour had an Allegro in that colour and he used to refer to it as Poo Brown…

7th Dec 2023 4:48pm

MattH268

Member Since: 01 Dec 2021
Location: Moray
Posts: 66

There hasn't been much development on the Series itself, other than I have taken the 5 wheels off to refurb them over the festive period. My collection of replacement parts, oils, greases and tools have grown though. You can never have too many tools

I have left the vehicle on some donor wheels though to prevent it being sat on axle stands.

I am very impressed with Autosparks and LOF for their incredibly quick delivery. I placed my Autosparks complete rewire order in early as I'd expected the kit to arrive during next year and not within 4 days

LOF, within 24 hours to the Highlands! Super impressive. I should take delivery of the Richards Galv Chassis & GB Parabolic Springs & SIIAM dampers via Sanderson Leaf Springs Ltd sometime in early January.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

M 300tdi 90 CSW
2.2tdci 110 HCPU
1972 Series 3 88" Truck Cab

23rd Dec 2023 12:06pm

Page 2 of 3

All times are GMT

Jump to

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Posting Rules

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum