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CY88



Member Since: 05 Jan 2016
Location: Offshore
Posts: 255

1986 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Keswick Green
My 1951 80 inch Series 1
Glad to see that there's a Series section here - have been enjoying looking through it.

I thought I would share some details of my 1951 80 inch Series One, my first car - purchased by me over 21 years ago! Neutral

Thinking about it this little car was a big influence in the styling that I settled on recently for my current 90 Project - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43104.html

Here she is on the day that I got her home, complete with matching chassis and engine numbers, lots of good bits, and replica canadian military wings that had been added by a previous owner.






Click image to enlarge


Originally delivered to Penzance in August 1951.


Click image to enlarge


Over the next few years she served first as a daily driver (before I realised that it was totally impractical for commuting), and then a summer runaround, and I'm sorry to say that over this time I probably didn't give her the respect that she deserved (look at those 'orrible wheels!):-










She then sat unloved in a lock-up for ages until I moved to a new house around 10 years ago, with the space to get her home again, looking more than a little sorry for herself!



Last edited by CY88 on 23rd Jan 2016 2:13pm. Edited 2 times in total
Post #495495 23rd Jan 2016 12:50pm
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CY88



Member Since: 05 Jan 2016
Location: Offshore
Posts: 255

1986 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Keswick Green
But this time there were plans afoot for a little bit of TLC. I knew I didn't want her to end up a garage queen, but I wanted a reliable structurally sound car which retained as many of the current bits as possible. I was even happy to keep the racing green paint, rather than revert to bronze.

Lots of work on the original bulkhead:-









Sourced some new front wings:





Lovely straight bumper Cool



The engine was also rebuilt over this time, which was great. Age related grill and (sort of age referenced) new registration.

So back home she came again, still looking deceptively high on those white abominations.



Last edited by CY88 on 23rd Jan 2016 1:55pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #495498 23rd Jan 2016 1:11pm
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CY88



Member Since: 05 Jan 2016
Location: Offshore
Posts: 255

1986 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Keswick Green
Proper wheels sorted that out...



Dog approved:



And a warm new home this time too:



And a new chapter Very Happy










Post #495500 23rd Jan 2016 1:30pm
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CY88



Member Since: 05 Jan 2016
Location: Offshore
Posts: 255

1986 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Keswick Green
Most recently she's been treated to a new exmoor seats and a new tilt.

So finally some pictures from last year:









And on the front cover of the 2016 LRSOC calendar Smile ...


http://www.lrsoc.com/forum/forum_files/ForumCalendar2016.pdf
Post #495502 23rd Jan 2016 1:43pm
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jerseyman



Member Since: 21 Jul 2009
Location: Jersey
Posts: 279

Lovely truck and a nice story, May I ask who you used to do the work?

Brian
Post #495512 23rd Jan 2016 2:29pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17364

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Very nice, thanks for posting. I must get round to doing the same with mine, which have been stored for 30 years!

One thing though, as a '51 with a full-width lights-through grille, shouldn't the sidelights be on the bulkhead? I can't remember when they moved, but my '51 has the same grille but with bulkhead lights.

Lovely sympathetic renovation! Thumbs Up
Post #495514 23rd Jan 2016 2:51pm
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CY88



Member Since: 05 Jan 2016
Location: Offshore
Posts: 255

1986 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Keswick Green
jerseyman wrote:
Lovely truck and a nice story, May I ask who you used to do the work?

Brian


Cheers Brian. A chap called Gareck who used to have a workshop down in St Clement did the engine and bulkhead. At the time he had several Series Landies, but I think he sold up and I'm not even sure if does this sort of work anymore. He certainly knew his stuff though.

blackwolf wrote:
Very nice, thanks for posting. I must get round to doing the same with mine, which have been stored for 30 years!

One thing though, as a '51 with a full-width lights-through grille, shouldn't the sidelights be on the bulkhead? I can't remember when they moved, but my '51 has the same grille but with bulkhead lights.


Thanks blackwolf. You should definitely start the recommision!

I'm not sure that it ever had sidelights on the bulkhead. In fact, from recollection the side lamps were incorporated into a non-original pair of headlamps (like a VW) when I bought it. I went with a wing mounted arrangement simply because the wings that I was offered had the holes there!
Post #495521 23rd Jan 2016 3:06pm
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Limey



Member Since: 18 Oct 2013
Location: Northern Italy
Posts: 193

Italy 
That's a real beaut and it's so nice to read about such a long term ownership.

I had a '51 for a few years too, and it's probably the only vehicle I've ever had, that I've regretted selling ever since. Even had an alloy bulkhead (Edit: Think my alloy bulkhead was the '52 that I had at the same time as my lights thru grille, the memory is going...), which I've since learned was a short run thing. For me, those lights through the grille make the prettiest front end that they ever made for a Landy.

I'm jealous, but thanks for sharing. I'm stealing a few of your photos of my Landy photos folder.


Last edited by Limey on 24th Jan 2016 9:58am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #495522 23rd Jan 2016 3:08pm
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CY88



Member Since: 05 Jan 2016
Location: Offshore
Posts: 255

1986 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Keswick Green
^^^
Thanks Limey. I can't imagine ever selling this one. I always think its amazing that the 20+ years I've had her is still only a third of her lifetime!

And yes, alloy bulkheads are rare!
Post #495593 23rd Jan 2016 7:02pm
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Ellisboy



Member Since: 13 Oct 2013
Location: Deep South
Posts: 539

1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green
Thumbs Up lovely
Post #495664 23rd Jan 2016 9:47pm
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Rosco



Member Since: 03 Dec 2010
Location: Burntwood
Posts: 1833

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Awesome. I love to see how things have progressed over the years. Thumbs Up 2007 - Stornoway Grey 90 XS SW - Gone
2002 - Black Discovery II - Gone
2014 - Montalcino Red 110 XS SW
Post #495737 24th Jan 2016 9:17am
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22900013A



Member Since: 23 Dec 2010
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 3149

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Keswick Green
Nice vehicle. I am sure I have in an old LRO an advert showing that very vehicle (or an identical one) for sale, certainly remember someone on about replica Canadian military wings. 2011 110 USW
1973 Series III 1-Ton
1972 Series III 1-Ton Cherrypicker
1969 IIA 1-Ton
1966 IIA 88"
Post #495854 24th Jan 2016 5:14pm
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RRUK
Site Supporter


Member Since: 31 Mar 2010
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 2025

United Kingdom 
A lovely bit of history and story, well done you.

Love the pic of it having a dry cosy home. It deserves some luxuries in its old age. 2016 D4 HSE

1998 110 TUM HS FFR Hard Top XD WOLF

1982 Series 3 SWB Petrol
Post #495858 24th Jan 2016 5:25pm
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CarMan



Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 1860

United Kingdom 
Liking this thread a lot, thanks for sharing. And, as said a warm, dry home is a must for any LandRover - did you buy it off the shelf? Rob

1993 200tdi 90 hard-top
1998 300tdi 90 soft-top
2016 2.2 XS 90 hard-top (sold)
Post #495875 24th Jan 2016 6:11pm
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CY88



Member Since: 05 Jan 2016
Location: Offshore
Posts: 255

1986 Defender 90 V8 Petrol ST Keswick Green
^^^
Thanks for the comments guys!

22900013A, I think that I sent in a picture to LRO readers cars shortly after I bought it... a loooong time ago. I'd be amazed if that was what you remember... I don't even have a copy any more!

CarMan, the big shed was second hand, but as you can see from the photo it only needed the door widening a little bit for it to make a perfect garage (for the Series 1 anyway - not sure a Defender would fit!)

And as with any shed, it hasn't stayed as minimalist either. Nowadays it looks more like this! Laughing


Click image to enlarge
Post #495907 24th Jan 2016 7:04pm
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