 | Home > Series Land Rovers > Latest purchase - Series 3 109 (Alfred the 109) |
 
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| orkneydave Member Since: 25 Sep 2016 Location: Orkney Islands Posts: 76  
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After looking around for a while for a swb series or Defender (including this http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic52804.html ) I somehow ended up agreeing a deal on a series 3 109 with a 200tdi down in Bath last week
I flew from Orkney to Bristol on Wednesday and was met at the airport by the seller. After a sort out of paperwork and spares and a cuppa to keep me going Alfred (the name a previous owner had given the 109) and I were on our way north. I stopped for fuel about 20 miles north and had my first 'mishap'! In an effort to ensure I didn't run out of fuel on the way up I overfilled the tank. I didn't realise that it would overflow at the front of the tank so it looked like I had a fuel leak. With daylight hours starting to fade, I called the AA to check and make sure all was okay. 
Once I got the all clear, it was a rather tiring drive in the dark up to friends in Cumbria. With various closures on the M5 and M6, the fuse for the lights rattling loose and a broken indicator stalk, I eventually arrived in Cumbria at around 1am (shortly after being flashed by a speed camera  ).
My view on Thursday morning:
After a good sleep and breakfast I set off for Aberdeen to catch ferry home to Orkney. The drive was pretty uneventful with only a high temperature gauge causing concern (this turned out to be a air lock in the cooling system caused by a loose hose). Anyway, made it to Aberdeen in time for the ferry. I stupidly left the electric fan on though during the crossing (6 hours from Aberdeen) so the battery was flat on arrival in Orkney. A quick push by the stevedors and I was on my way for the last 18 miles our journey home 
Alfred now has his own Instagram page (@alfredthe109) but I'll keep updates on his adventures posted on here too. |
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11th Apr 2017 9:39am |
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| Mash Member Since: 09 Feb 2015 Location: Guernsey Posts: 1674  
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Sounds like a fun trip, now to sort the few minor problems and enjoy all series ownership has to offer.
Looking forward to the updates  90 wolf - Jasmin http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39408.html
90 V8 - Maggie http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic42564.html 110 TD5 - Buggsy http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic59029.html 52HG25 lightweight https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic72342.html D3 Hse - Fiona Capri 2l S - Anna Think I might have a problem............ |
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11th Apr 2017 11:01am |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3750
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Sounds like its first trip was a mega one
Probably one of its longest? what plans have you for it. |
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11th Apr 2017 11:43am |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3347 
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What a beautiful find!
Congratulations Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197
Self confessed mileage hunter  |
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11th Apr 2017 12:06pm |
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| Farmerben Member Since: 16 Jan 2017 Location: Herefordshire Posts: 605 
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Wow. Pretty epic road trip. I'm headed up to Orkney at the beginning of june so I'll keep an eye out for you. https://instagram.com/bentheoandrews
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11th Apr 2017 12:21pm |
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| orkneydave Member Since: 25 Sep 2016 Location: Orkney Islands Posts: 76
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Thanks everyone! Really pleased with it and can't complain about reliablility after that run!
I have pictures from previous owners of it in Switzerland when it was Dutch registered so believe it's been all over Europe so a small run to Orkney was probably nothing! No major plans as yet. It already has new brakes, 200tdi, galvanised chassis etc so the hard work has been done. I have side steps coming for it (so that SWMBO can get in and out easier). I also plan to install some bench seats in the back (anyone selling any?), fit a seat belt bar in the front and possibly a radio (not that I'll be able to hear it  ). I'd also like a new hood at some point as the current one has shrunk at the back a bit. Apart from that, a slight cosmetic tidy should do it.
I've already given him a good clean out and fitted a new dash top (supplied by the previous owner) to replace a badly split one. |
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11th Apr 2017 2:44pm |
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| Mr Fox Member Since: 10 Sep 2011 Location: green & pleasant land Posts: 1037
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I look forward to following his new adventures - really great patina and given the locations he's been in, no doubt a lot of adventures have already been had.
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11th Apr 2017 3:10pm |
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| familymad Member Since: 13 Dec 2011 Location: Bucks Posts: 3481  
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Lovely first trip for a lovely 109 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI 1995 90 300TDI |
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11th Apr 2017 5:33pm |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10381
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Cool!! Following on ig
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11th Apr 2017 7:08pm |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7905 
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Epic first journey, sounds great fun!
James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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11th Apr 2017 7:39pm |
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| orkneydave Member Since: 25 Sep 2016 Location: Orkney Islands Posts: 76
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**Warning - Picture Heavy**
I thought an update on Alfred was long overdue (especially for those not on Instagram)! Since collecting Alfred way back in April I have mostly just been using him as my daily driver and for weekend drives etc. I have carried out a few small upgrades/modifications but not changed a lot really. After tightening up the fuse holders the next job was to fit 3 point seat belts to the front. Whilst I loved the free feeling of lap belts I thought best to go down this route with Alfred being my daily driver and with the potential of trips south. Seatbelts and bar (to allow soft top to be kept) ordered from Exmoor and arrived several bolts short ??? Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge I also bought some 2 man benches for the back so that I can take the kids (well technically one is an adult!) a run too...
I have since changed the configuration of the benches to face each other and give more cargo space at the rear I decided a rug would be a great addition to the back Click image to enlarge and then took the oppurtunity of a dry day to take the roof off (I've done this a few times now!!) Click image to enlarge
I then thought the rear crossmember could do with a tidy up Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge and with new rear step fitted Click image to enlarge and a trip to the beach! Click image to enlarge At some point whilst taking a detour to work to look at a nicely worn series 1 I managed to loose the wiper seal from my door window and then run it over!! Time to strip down the door top and fit new seals... Click image to enlarge I've also fitted a radio to the back of the cubby box (with speaker pods riveted to the bulkhead behind the seats). Not much use over 30mph though!!! Click image to enlarge My son has a ex MOD 110 and had pestered me for ages for the spare wheel well in Alfred as I was never going to use it apparently! I said if he got me a sheet of aluminium to cover the wheel box he could have it. This would also allow me to relocate the bench seat further forward and cover up all the old holes in the wheel box Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge
and with seat back in Click image to enlarge and then off for a day trip to Shetland for work Click image to enlarge
View from the bridge
Had to launch a friends boat last week so thought I'd fit this Click image to enlarge which made life so much easier for this
And that's summer over...
Next to do is: 1. replace fuel tank with one that doesn't resemble a seive (might be a slight over exaggeration as I'm still getting over 30mpg!)! 2. replace the hood with one with side windows and buckles so that I can roll up the sides (anyone interested in a well aged FFR tilt?) 3. wire in the reverse light (supplied by the previous owner, fitted by me but not wired in yet) 4. overhaul the steering. I'm used to it now but it's far heavier and has far more play than it should! 5. look to add more sound deadening, may not be possible 6. paint job. Still deciding on colours but will most likely be green of some sort. Really like Keswick green but not sure if it will look out of place. Also considering Eastnor green. 7. full service No doubt there will be more to add to the list but that will be as time and money and ambition allow! Will try and keep the updates a bit more frequent than before! Last edited by orkneydave on 26th Jul 2017 3:02pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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26th Jul 2017 2:49pm |
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| g-mack Member Since: 07 Jan 2014 Location: northumberland Posts: 1967
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i feel this may become my favourite thread
My 109 thread
my youtube channel |
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26th Jul 2017 2:59pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3750
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#Cool Truck
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26th Jul 2017 3:08pm |
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| Ellisboy Member Since: 13 Oct 2013 Location: Deep South Posts: 539 
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Looks great
Stephen. |
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27th Jul 2017 6:25am |
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