 | Home > My Defender > Journey of my little Frankenstein |
 
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| DSC-off Member Since: 16 Oct 2014 Location: North East Posts: 1419   
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Hi, while the parts you are removing are part of it's history, there's currently no proof of when they were fitted. I suspect some of the accessories were fitted some time after it was built, possibly quite a bit later in it's life. Here's a link to a 1999 accessories brochure, https://www.veikl.com/d/Land-Rover-Defende...9-EN-37193 The roof rack you took off is a later type, sloping at the front with a "number plate" panel at the front. My 2005 defender had this type fitted when it was new, I don't know when it was introduced. The 1999 brochure shows a square type basket on the rack,  Click image to enlarge Similar with the soft A bar you took off the front, that isn't in the 1999 brochure, they were still metal tube type at that time. Photographs from its early days, or a previous owner stating when they fitted the accessories is the only way of knowing what's original. With or without the accessories it is a special vehicle.  |
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30th Jan 2023 1:17pm |
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| L90Andy Member Since: 29 May 2014 Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon Posts: 719 
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Love a good factory car! I used to have a factory registered 90 and have now replaced it with an SVO Defender. While I'm glad of the factory connections, it does mean I've kept them more standard than I would any other Defender by limiting mods (side affect being good for the wallet!)
Yours already looks better, less is more as they say. Would also agree with the above that they weren't the correct period accessories anyway so I'd probably just sell them off if they're not being used, they're too new to be rare. For the seats, what you need is a nice set of factory waterproof seat covers. As it happens I've got a set of fronts (3) and the rear sideways (4) ones, but not the 2nd row bench unfortunately, which I need to get round to selling  Instagram: L90andy
My 1984 Ninety: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56071.html - SOLD! My 2015 Defender: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic39625.html - SOLD! |
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30th Jan 2023 2:02pm |
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| Rivarama Member Since: 28 Aug 2021 Location: London Posts: 155 
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Ok folks - so fascinating twist here.
The 300TDI Frankenstein I thought I had bought, and was told by the seller I was buying (and the resulting bargain price I got it for) turned out to be a bit of a special car ! A fellow forum member (Will@LRW) was able to shed some light on my car… Apparently 151 Td5 Defenders were allocated Solihull production VINs before the full ramp up of Td5 production from VIN XA159807. There are records for the 151 cars and my car is number 45 on that file. It was build on 19-jun-1998. I now feel bad about the title of this thread and might need to replace “Frankenstein” with something a bit less derogatory. For the record my daughter already named the car Scooby-Doo like the adventurous cartoon dog (SxxO BDU = Scoo Bee Doo) - which she thinks fits well with the adventurous look it had when we first got it. Hey ho !! |
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30th Jan 2023 10:30pm |
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| Rivarama Member Since: 28 Aug 2021 Location: London Posts: 155
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Just received the first set of parts… new front seat bases. Definitely better than the saggy and ripped base in the car.
Click image to enlarge Now waiting for my melvill & moon canvas seat covers to arrive… 6 more weeks of wait. Can’t wait ! |
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31st Jan 2023 8:53pm |
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| Rivarama Member Since: 28 Aug 2021 Location: London Posts: 155
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Quick update on some of the jobs done today…
- removal of winch and heavy duty bumper (that’s 50kg off the car) - fitting new galvanised bumper - replaced the side mirror arms with shorter ones - removal of wind deflectors (the 90’s called and asked them back) - replaced rusted wiper arms - removal of heavy duty snorkel The car looks much nicer to me now. Starting to look good !! Click image to enlarge |
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5th Feb 2023 6:46pm |
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| Screbble Member Since: 26 Apr 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2103 
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Looking really nice 👍
It’s amazing how the little things make such a big difference. Keep up the great work and keep sharing 👍 |
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5th Feb 2023 7:15pm |
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| BrickBox Member Since: 05 Oct 2021 Location: Wales Posts: 829  
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I love seeing standard Defenders - too many are jacked up and/or customised by Urban companies. 2008 2.4 110 Utility Station Wagon XS.
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5th Feb 2023 7:18pm |
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| mini Anaconda Member Since: 23 Aug 2016 Location: Thames Valley Posts: 784
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Looks great - good job
P.S. Can we see a picture of your Series 2 as well please  BORG - Bucks & Oxon 4x4 Response Group
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5th Feb 2023 9:14pm |
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| Rivarama Member Since: 28 Aug 2021 Location: London Posts: 155
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Pics of my 2 series 2a’s as requested
1966 ex RAF 2.25 petrol still on original (patched up) chassis Click image to enlarge 1971 2.25 petrol on galv chassis. Went through a nuts and bolts restoration in 2009 |
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5th Feb 2023 10:00pm |
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| mini Anaconda Member Since: 23 Aug 2016 Location: Thames Valley Posts: 784
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Very nice
BORG - Bucks & Oxon 4x4 Response Group
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5th Feb 2023 10:11pm |
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| Screbble Member Since: 26 Apr 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2103
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Now that’s just plain greedy |
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6th Feb 2023 7:50am |
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| Rivarama Member Since: 28 Aug 2021 Location: London Posts: 155
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In the process of doing the springs and shock absorbers all around… hasn’t been as easy as I was expecting. Cutting a long story short, the rears are done. Will do the front this coming week end
Click image to enlarge |
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23rd Feb 2023 10:09pm |
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| Rivarama Member Since: 28 Aug 2021 Location: London Posts: 155
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Quick update on the progress so far…
A full set of Melvill & Moon seat cover was fitted a few weeks ago - definitely added a nice touch to the car. Click image to enlarge
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1st May 2023 9:01pm |
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| Rivarama Member Since: 28 Aug 2021 Location: London Posts: 155
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I also treated the car to a new clutch and flywheel from LOF… I couldn’t find any record of when the clutch was changed last and I want to sound proof the car so I didn’t want to have to remove all the soundproofing material to get to the gearbox.
Ordered a LOF heavy duty kit (when in doubt get the biggest gun) and realising my technical skills were not up for the job, I had it fitted by my local specialist. I have got to say, the clutch isn’t as heavy as I thought. Can’t say it makes any difference, but there’s something gratifying out preventing maintenance |
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1st May 2023 9:08pm |
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