Perth's hidden Land Rover Heaven.

I am still so excited that I can hardly sit still to write this post.

Last weekend I followed up on an advertisement on Gumtree for a "General Garage Sale" which included Land Rover parts.  Having missed that sale, I got in contact with the seller, a lovely guy called Joe, to see if I could come another time. We agreed to meet at 9:30am the following Sunday.  That was today.

I pulled up outside the suburban house and saw a huge pile of wheels and tyres outside, but nothing prepared me for what I found inside the gates!

Joe told me that his dad was a bit of a hoarder and loved Land Rovers.  Having recently passed away, Joe and his brothers were now clearing out the house, so bare in mind the following photographs are after a serious culling had already happened. God knows how excited I would have been if I had had first dibs on the parts.

 Wing skins and storage box covers

 Bonnets, Series through to Defender

 Doors

 Axles, drive shafts and who knows what

 Series 2 Radiator Grille (Yep that is mine, on hold waiting collection)

 Panels and stuff

Transmission covers, sun visors and sills 

 D- Rings, one on top is going on Leif

 SWB side panels and tail gates, oh and a lawn mower, non Land Rover haha

 Windscreens

 Fuel tanks

 I don't know what all is here but some of it is new

 Assorted hoses, new but don't know how old

 Wings and truck cab panels

 Rear tailgate returning to nature sadly, these are hard to find normally

Winches!!

I spent several hours looking through the parts, which must have included at least 10 dismantled Landy's but also brand new, still in packaging bits.  It was amongst that I found my most pleasing purchase; a brand new rear view mirror, complete in it's unopened Rover box!

Brand New, un-opened and mine!!!

There was so much stuff I didn't get to look at half of it, and not knowing what Leif actually is going to need, I didn't snap up any of the axles, prop shafts, bearings, gauges and god knows what else was hidden there.  I have a feeling I will regret that!

So with wifey's Volvo filled to capacity I took home:

Series 2 radiator panel
Two wing skins
Original gear knob still with numbers visible
Transmission tunnel
Front apron
Series 2 side skirts
Dash board cluster surround
Wiper motor cover
Passenger door which is near perfect
Passenger front door top
Rear door handle
D Ring
Rear view mirror

Leif's new parts

Leif didn't actually need some of these parts, but as her paintwork is so rubbish I figured if I could get good panels with a better paint finish then it would be less prep work later.

Anyway, if you are a Series Land Rover owner in Perth and need parts, please get in contact and I will pass on Joe's details.

Leif, Noooooo!!!

February may have been the month of love with Valentine's Day on the 14th, but, sadly there was no love at the Tyro Workshop as Leif decided to dispose of the only other Land Rover in my life!

"Mini-me" - my awesome second Landy that came as a surprise with Leif's purchase

As I have been tinkering with Leif and checking out the condition of the chassis, I have removed the front passenger floor plate and transmission tunnel for a better look; eventually I will remove the seat box and rear floors for a better inspection but I will report on that at a later date.

Foolishly, with Leif's battery getting low, I decided to start her up and move her from the back to the front of the Tyro Workshop. As we moved forward, "mini-me" drove off the dashboard, through the open floor and under Leif's wheels - I think she's a write-off -  gutted!

I suppose on the positive I now know what to ask wifey for as a present for my upcoming birthday.

I don't think that is going to buff out :(

Wifey, if you're are reading, hint, HINT!!!

(I don't think that you can get a Series 2A Model)

First things first, we need to stop!

With Leif off the tow truck and home for a few weeks, I hadn't done much more than look at her and think about what I was going to do, or at least try to do.

Leif is a long term project and, to be honest, I am in no rush to get her back on the road.  If I want to go for a drive, or hang out with some fellow enthusiasts and car club members I will take my beloved UGU. I will admit that this luxury of choice makes me feel not only very spoilt, but very thankful for my understanding wife.

I have no illusions that Leif will be some amazingly comfy and thrilling vehicle to drive, or that she will be some sort of show vehicle or extreme off-roader; this project for me is all about the process, with no timeframe and no predetermined outcome.

From the moment Leif arrived on the back of the tow truck I knew there was an issue with her brakes, as the brake pedal would go all the way to the floor with no resistance and no stopping power at all, highlighting the first job I needed to attend to.

Brake pedal goes all the way to the floor with no resistance

(Check out those safety boots haha!)

Having moved Leif from the front to the back of the Tyro Workshop I had worked out that if you pumped the brake pedal in rapid succession, after the seventh or eighth pump there was enough brake pressure to stop from a slow roll.  This, combined with the knowledge that the previous owner had recently replaced the master cylinder made me believe that there was air in the system.

I reached for my repair manual and went on-line to see how to fix the problem.

The process of bleeding the brakes is really very simple even if you are doing it on your own as I was.  (If you have a friend close by that you can ask to pump the brake pedal as you lie under the vehicle and do the messy bit, it would be even easier), however doing this on my own I did some research and bought a vacuum pump off Ebay.

New tools.  Vacuum pump and new brake/clutch fluid

I located and examined all Leif's bleed nipples. Over the next two days whilst I waited for the vacuum pump to arrive I gave them a good soaking with penetrating oil to try and free them up as they were seized solid.  This duration seemed to be the perfect amount of time for the oil to do its work, and by the time I had figured out how to use my new tool the bolts were nice and free.

To get started I removed the lid from the fluid reservoir and filled it to the brim with new brake/clutch fluid.  This would later allow me to see if the level had dropped.

I will admit there were various opinions about the order in which to bleed the brakes, but I followed the brake lines to the back end and connected the vacuum pump to the passenger side wheel after deciding it was the one furthest from the master cylinder.

I squeezed the pump to get pressure into the tube and watched the gauge to make sure there were no leeks before opening the bleed nipple.  If you can't get a airtight seal I did read that grease could be used around the end of the tube to seal it to the bleed nipple, but I didn't need to do that.

Vacuum pump tube connected to a well soaked bleed nipple

With the bleed nipple open I filled the pumps reservoir in accordance with the product instructions, and locked off the nipple before disconnecting the pump having seen no bubbles escape into the fluid.  I moved onto the other rear wheel, then passenger front before finishing on the front driver's side.  Between each wheel bleed I returned to the reservoir and topped up the fluid making sure that no air could re-enter the system.  I also checked the brake pedal to see if there was any resistance; to my delight there was now a bit.

I had seen a few bubbles come out during the process but it was not until I got to the front driver's side when I witnessed a lot of bubbles escaping into the vacuum pumps reservoir.

Vacuum pump doing its thing on the front driver's side

Bubbles in the system

With the brakes bled and the reservoir full again, I was so pleased to have a nice firm brake pedal.  I jumped behind the wheel and slowly drove around the block checking that everything was working and, to my relief, it was.

It is pretty nerve racking driving a vehicle for the first time, knowing that the only way of stopping it is via something you have just done, also for the first time.  With that said, the feeling of exhiliration when it all works as it should is very, very satisfying!

Lets hope this sets the tone as I continue on this restoration journey.

The Turtle Cruiser

Since Jade's departure on a trailer back at the end of November, I have slowly been selling off the parts I removed, which so far, have helped contribute to Leif's restoration.

Jades departure from the Tyro Workshop, sad!

Want to meet Leif? Click here

Though it still makes me sad to have destroyed a C114, it gives me a lot a satisfaction knowing that Jade's sacrifice has helped so many fellow owners and enthusiasts, who are either restoring their beloved stroke 8's, or they have had the misfortune to have been in a accident, as was the case with Dylan G. who Lives in America.

After a tow truck reversed into his W115 smashing the headlights and damaging the grille and A/C radiator, Dylan seized the opportunity to change his American specification headlights to the European type, so Jade's headlights and grille set out via land and sea to America.
(It is worth noting Dylan's car is not an everyday driver, so he was happy to have right-hand drive headlights on his left-hand drive car.)

Dylan G's car in America waiting for Jade's Grille and Headlights

American Specification Stroke 8.  Note the different bumper, headlights & side marker lights

Image from www.bringatrailer.com

UGU's Euro spec front end.

Not only has Jade's memory spread outside the greater Perth Metro area to America, but also Australia's East & South Coasts, Canada and Norway! I still have lots of parts left so who knows to what corners of the world Jade's memory will reach.

Brenton R. is another awesome guy who bought all of Jade's exterior chrome and fuel tank as he works to restore his 1970, W114 250C which he found abandoned under a Walnut Tree.

Under a Walnut Tree, alone and uncared for.

Note the original vinyl roof, nice!

All she needed was the right owner to give her new life.  Well done Brenton!

Jade's chrome makes it safely to South Australia

There are many other great people that I have met so far and have sent Jade's parts to. I could go on all day about the; in particular, Kaleb with his W108 hearse; but to prevent me writing a lengthy essay I will just say thank you to all off you, you know who you are.

Only this week I received an enquiry from a fantastic chap in Norway called Gabriel, about Jade's indicator arm that I had advertised for sale.  As tends to happen, we got chatting via Facebook and Gabriel introduced me to his fantastic stroke 8, and I cannot help but share my interest in "The Turtle Cruiser"!

Found in a terrible state in Oslo over 7 years ago, Gabriel paid scrap price for his then vandalised 1970 W114 Ambulance.  Since then he and his family have lovingly restored it into the "Turtle Cruiser"

The Turtle Cruiser following an extensive restoration 

This is no way to treat a veteran! 

Love hearts and patchiness was definitely not standard issue paint work

Originally a military ambulance based in the arctic, north of Norway, she spend most of her life there. Despite the weather conditions I am told there was hardly any rust in the body, and with only 100,000km on the clock, the original 230 motor still remains post restoration.

Original motor still going strong

The restoration of such a unique vehicle I can only imagine would be very difficult and the end result is a credit to the owner. Gabriel tells me he has found it impossible to source replacement back doors and tail lights, so, if any of you reading this can help please get in contact.

Ongoing restoration, but back on the road and looking large!

I will finish by saying that the Turtle Cruiser is by far one of the most unique Stroke 8's I have ever seen, and what makes me smile is that she sports a Land Rover roof rack, haha - that one's for you Leif!

LOVE IT!!!

This is why being a car enthusiast is awesome!

For those out there who don't quite understand the enjoyment I get out of being involved in the world of car enthusiasts, here is a perfect example of why I love it.

A few weeks ago, a fellow member of the Mercedes-Benz W114 Facebook group W(A)114/115, who lives on the other side of the country from me, and who I have only spoken to via posts in the group, was on holiday south of Sydney last week.  Whilst on holiday he popped into a second hand book store and came across a complete set of original Land Rover Literature from 1970 and instantly thought of me!

Having paid the princely sum of $3 for them, they arrived in the post today and I am absolutely thrilled with them.

What I find incredible is the fact that they are the same age as Leif, and that they still have their original sleeve to keep the three books together!

I can't help but think of the work that went into the making of these manuals; the hand drawings that fill their pages are nothing short of beautiful, yet detailed pieces of artwork.

Thanks Murray, you are a champion!

Original manuals and sleeve from 1969!

A little piece of history - battered but beautiful

Forget Monet, this is my kind of artwork!  

Check out the level of detail and shading

Who better to explain the correct gearing positions than the manufacturer

So, I guess it's time to get to the second hand book stores; who knows what manuals can be found there!

Knowing your car - Land Rover

At the time of writing this post, I have owned Leif for a little over two weeks and, as with UGU, I am keen to find out as much information as I can about her.  There is lots of information out there but it is not as easy to find as with Mercedes-Benz, so I am piecing the bits together as I collect them from both on-line sources and from local and interstate fellow enthusiasts.

So, here is what I know so far.

Leif is a 1969 Series 2A, 109" (long wheelbase) Station Wagon. I am the lucky fourth owner;  her namesake who I bought her from, bought her from his friend, who had bought it from his dad, who bought her new.

Leif & Leif at Farr's Transport Yard before her trip to Perth

Leif is what is known as a "CKD Kit" which stands for "completely knocked down".  This means that all of her components were produced and painted in the Land Rover factory, Solihull, England and shipped to Australia in pieces, ready to be assembled by a local agent.

This was done in countries all over the world and is still a common practise in the automotive industry today. According to website http://www.range-rover-classic.com, Land Rovers and Range Rovers were being built in "23 countries abroad of UK in 1980".

Land Rover Assembly locations, 1980

 1972, African Land Rover CKD Assembly

Image via "range-rover-classic.com"

2003, Land Rover CKD Assembly

Image via "range-rover-classic.com"

Despite this being a common practise it was news to me, and the only thing that raised a query with me was the plaque attached to the firewall showing that she was produced by the "Pressed Metal Corp Ltd."

Leif may have been conceived in England but she is true blue Aussie

If this plate was not evidence enough, Leif's chassis number is also a vital source of information. The first three digits "352" refer to her origins as "Export, RHStg, 109 Station Wagon", and by the rest of the numbers I assume she was the 128th built.

(Chassis number Information from the Land Rover Series 11 & 11A Repair Operation Manual AKM8159, generously gifted to me by my family in the UK)

Leif's Identification plate found on the firewall

Present from my family, and hopefully instrumental to Leif's restoration.

Also check out Leif's outdoor water tap connected to a large tank in the back!  I am yet to decide if I wish to keep it or not.

I found all this information very exciting, but it didn't stop there, one detail I had spotted in Leif's photographs before I bought her was the badge on the grille with the word "six".  I had never seen this before, nor the particular grille that she sports.

Starting with the badge.

More forward power needs more stopping power

I had no idea that Land Rovers were even available in anything other than a four cylinder 2 1/4 petrol, or diesel engine, but they were also available as a 2.6litre, six cylinder!  So that little badge corresponds with the chassis number "352" confirming she is a 2.6 litre six.

This increased power brought with it some additional stopping power, so Leif has larger brake drums than the 4 cylinder variants and also has a servo assisted braking system.

Unfortunately Leif's original motor has long since been removed and she now sports a 3.3 litre Holden blue straight six.  I am a bit disappointed about this, but do have to appreciate that in a country as big as Australia, the best motor, is the most available motor.  On the plus side I am lead to believe that this particular motor is very simple to work with and the previous owner also informs me that the original gearbox has been replaced with that from a series three so she has a synchromesh.  

I know the purists out there will be disgusted by this bastardisation, but for me, I don't really care, it is all part of Leif's history so the motor will stay.

The Holden Blue Motor was available from 1980 - 1985 in both a 3.3 & 2.85 Variants eventually superseded by the black motor. The block casting confirms this is a 3.3 Litre 

Click here for more information on Holden Engines

Back to that grille...the information I have on it, from a fellow enthusiast in Australia's Northern Territory is that it is a rare grille only produced for Australian Built station wagons.

The more common Series 2A Grille

Having looked at many photos recently, I am not sure if Leif has the correct bonnet.  It might be a series 3 bonnet, noting the thickness to the edge rather than the flat type seen in this picture. Image via homer-simpson on Flicker

It is incredible how one photo has so much information; above we have discussed the "six badge" and the grille, but there is still one more subtle difference between this Australian CKD and a UK imported vehicle, the Land Rover badge itself.

If you look closely you will see that the sub heading says "Rover Australia Pty Ltd", a UK built vehicle wouldn't have this.

Leif's Aussie badge

UK model, Grille badge

So there you have it, only two weeks in and I have learnt a little more about my new acquisition. I am really excited to see what else I will discover through my journey to get Leif registered and back on the road.

Leif waiting to get out of my back yard and on or off road again

Introducing Leif

Well, she is here, and just in time to celebrate New Year's Eve at her new home.

Lief arrived at the Tyro Workshop on Tuesday 30th December, having survived the 420km trip from Denmark in the beautiful South West region of Western Australia, via Cannington on the outskirts of Perth, before the last short leg to me.  I wish to thank the previous owner, Farr's Transport of Denmark and Perth Tow for your efforts in getting her home.

Leif & Leif at Farr's Transport yard, Denmark WA

I first used Perth Tow to deliver Jade several months back and I was very happy to use Steve's services again, not only because he is a decent bloke, but also because he loves the breed of dog that I have, a West Highland Terrier, so we have lots to chat about.

My dog "Poppy" and UGU on our Wedding Day 2012

Leif gets delivered thanks to Steve of Perth Tow

With anyone who buys a vehicle unseen, the first thing you don't want to hear the when she gets dropped off is the truck driver saying "you know she has no brakes..."!! Errrr, no I didn't know that.

Initially I started to get very nervous - what had I bought? But as I sat behind the wheel for the first time, and Steve lowered Leif off the flat bed using the winch, it dawned on me that this is exactly what I want, a project.  By the time all four tyres touched the bitumen my excitement had returned and I knew what my second task would be - fix the brakes. What's the first task you ask, a good wash of course haha!

Perth Tow: Steve Harshaw

Tel: 0458 226 088

Email: oneale67@hotmail.com

Perth Tow Facebook Page