I wanted to buy one, but ended up with many!

Last week I spotted a Land Rover Dinky toy for sale.  Still in its original box, I decided to buy it, but as my excitement kicked into overdrive I ended up buying one or two more, haha.

1 becomes 16 in the hands of the enthusiast!

I am now offering the additional purchases for sale, to be bought individually or collectively.
All models can be posted but collection is preferred for the sake of the models.  Two of these boxes were damaged in the mail on their way to me :(

ALL MODELS ARE 1:43 Scale.

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-1
Car: 1968 Jaguar "E" Type MK1 1/2
Condition: Unopened with slight fracture to corner of box
Price: $25 excl. postage

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-2
Car: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition.  Slight yellowing of box perspex
Price: SOLD

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-3
Car: 1965 MGB GT
Condition: Unopened, damage to box perspex but model is in excellent condition
Price: $25ono excl. postage (SOLD pending payment)
Note: This model has fantastic contrasting colours and is one of my favourites

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-5
Car: 1950 Ford V8 Pilot
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition.  Slight yellowing of box perspex
Price: $25 excl. postage

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-6
Car: 1951 Volkswagen beetle
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition.
Price: SOLD

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-7
Car: 1959 Cadillac Coupe De Ville
Condition: Excellent condition, Box slightly out of shape
Price: SOLD

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-9
Car: 1949 Land Rover
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition.
Price: Not for Sale

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-11
Car: 1948 Tucker Torpedo
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition.
Price: $25 excl. postage

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-12
Car: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition with slight fracture in perspex box
Price: $25 excl. postage SOLD

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-14
Car: Delahaye 145
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition.
Price: $25 excl. postage

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-16
Car: 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition.
Price: SOLD

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-18
Car: 1968 Jaguar "E" Type MK 1 1/2
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition.
Price: $25ono excl. postage

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-19
Car: 1973 MGB GT V8
Condition: Unopened, damage to box perspex but model is in excellent condition
Price: SOLD

Matchbox Dinky
Ref: DY-902
Car: Classic Sports Cars Series 1
Condition: Unopened in excellent condition.
Price: SOLD

Garage Decoration

When I started writing this blog, my intention was to record my automotive learning curve and the amazing people and fellow enthusiasts I met along the way.

Today I met one of those awesome people.

With all the bits and pieces I have been accumulating ready for when I start work on Leif, our house was looking a bit of a mess, so my wife and I (mainly me) decided it would be a good idea to get a tool box to store everything in until it can be used in the garage.

I started looking online and quickly became overwhelmed at the vast range on offer.  I decided to ask others for their opinion and recommendations, so I posted a question in the Western Australia Facebook group "Steel Bumper Car Cruisers WA"; a group where I knew there was a lot of practical hands on people.

Clink to contact Steel Bumper Car Cruizes WA

Very quickly recommendations came in for me to speak to Cameron North of Tool & Consumable Solutions Australia (TCS Australia) for assistance.

Click to contact TCS Australia

Cameron was awesome.  I told him what I was looking for and my budget and he soon came back with two options for my consideration.  After making my selection I transferred the payment and today, 2 days later, my purchases were dropped off at my house.

Delivery!

After a good chat with Cameron I couldn't wait to open my boxes and check out my new purchase, the first tool box I have ever owned!

 Sporty wheels, and we all know red goes faster

 Some simple assembly and hey presto....

...so excited!!!!  

(There is a handle to go on the side but I don't need it to be fitted at the moment)

I was really impressed with the solidness and weight of the unit, but it was the spring loaded latch on each drawer to stop them flying open that made me smile the most.

Each drawer has a lock to stop them flying open, in addition to the key lock.

It will be at least 6 months before my garage is finished, so in the mean time it will sit in my house and store my stuff.

 Socket set fits beautifully within the lower section

A new home for my manuals and restored Land Rover badges for Leif

Thanks to those who got me in contact with TCS, and thanks to Cam; you certainly put a smile on my face.

Wing Mirrors & Inspiration

I have never been one for looking in the mirror but in this case I am fascinated by them.

Leif arrived with some hideous, decaying door mirrors complete with wooden spacers! From day one, they have been on the hit list to be removed.

The door mirrors Leif arrived with.  I have nothing nice to say about them

Wooden spacers are an interesting touch!

Obviously these mirrors are not original, or even Land Rover issue, so I began doing some research into what the original mirrors might have been.  It seems that the down side to owning a CKD vehicle (completely knocked down), is that there is no rule book as to what their standard specification was, instead it is more of a case of what came to hand on the day of assembly.  To be honest I don't have a problem with that as it allows me a certain amount of artistic licence to do whatever I think looks good.

I have always loved the look of the round mirrors on the wings, but noting no holes in Leifs' wings I figured that they had never been fitted there.

Love this look

Image from http://1960landroverrestoration.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/stainless-windshield-wipers.html

Leif's wing top with no hole

Next I found a nice tidy bracket that fits to the windscreen hinge.  I liked the idea of this and was able to purchase one from a fellow enthusiast.  On receipt of the bracket I noted that it required a second fixing to secure it in place, again something that Leif didn't have, so this fitting was not original to him either.  Although a little rusty I figured it would clean up well with a coat of paint, then lo and behold, I found another arm amongst the bits at my garage sale haul which was in much better condition.  It's funny the process we go through. I would have had no idea what that little metal tub was when I spotted it sitting on a shelf had I not bought the previous one.

Original Land Rover mirror fixing and arm, but not original to Leif

Excited with my find, I posted a picture on one of the Land Rover Facebook groups I am a member of, but received a less than complimentary comment from a fellow member.  He offered me a pair of NOS wing mirrors as an alternative to "that rusty crap".  A little deflated I bought the NOS mirrors at a good price "just in case" I decided to use them.

NOS Wing mirrors

Now with two options I was confident one option would be suitable, and then I saw it!  Late one night on eBay up popped a reproduction pressed metal advertising sign that looked exactly how I want Leif to look when finished.  The sign was even promoting the "New 6-cylinder option for the 109" range", so not only did it look like Leif, it was the same original specification. Needless to say it was the quickest eBay purchase I have ever made.

My inspiration. Reproduction pressed metal advertising sign

More than a little excited with my new purchase, I went back to have a look at Leif's wings.  From within the wheel arch I saw what was going on.  The holes were there, just filled with body filler.  I raced to my toolbox for my sand paper.

And there it is, the wing mirror fixing point

Now knowing where the hole was located on the wing, those with a keen eye will be able to spot its location in the fourth picture within this post.

With some vigorous sanding, and a tap with a hole punch the filler was knocked out and the mirror test fitted.

Looks more like a bullet hole than a factory drilled hole!

EXCITED!!!!!!

So, decision made, but what of the other fitting?  Well from what I have heard, as much as I love the look, these wing mirrors are next to useless for practicality, so who knows, maybe I will fit the other mirror as well.

She's Alive!!!!!

Earlier this week I was so excited that I had managed to fit in some time between meetings to take UGU for a quick drive to blow the dust off her.  When I got to her all I received was a terrible impersonation of the Terminator winking at me!

Ignition, but no go

Needless to say, I was gutted, but I have no one to blame but myself.  It was stupid of me to just leave UGU in the garage thinking she would be ready and waiting when called upon; it has been over a month since she turned a wheel, and even then it was only to drive 2 kms!

Instead of taking her for a drive I ended up pulling the battery out after noting the red indicator on the battery which stated "do not recharge", bugger!

Red indicator, battery is stuffed

Not knowing how old the battery actually was, it was probably due for replacement anyway.  After a quick call to the RAC, the battery man turned up with a replacement, taking the old battery away.

Leif over-sees the exchange

Out with the old, in with the new

Just a point of interest, if you are able to fit the battery yourself the RAC offers members a further $25 reduction in the price. Confident in my ability to tighten two nuts I opted for this saving so $180 for a new battery, happy with that.

UGU's empty battery tray waiting for the replacement

With the new battery in, off we went to check the tyre pressure before making another detour on the way to a work appointment.

Tyre pressures checked and topped up

Quick detour for a photo opportunity

To make it up to UGU for my terrible behaviour and neglect, I have booked her in for a service at the end of the month with my trusty mechanic, Walter Epple.

Maintainer of UGU, Walter Epple, Auto Exclusive Perth

One month in one post.

Gosh, where has the time gone! It has been over a month since I found time to write my last post, but hopefully you will have been entertained by the active flow of photos on my Instagram and Facebook Page, many of which will reappear in this post.

So, what have I been up to? Well, sadly UGU has not been getting much use due to her lack of rear seat belts, prohibiting my little girl from her first blissful experience cruising in a classic Benz. I have, however, made sure to get her out of the garage (UGU that is, not my daughter) and blow the cobwebs off and keep the battery topped up.

UGU waiting patiently in the garage but in need of a wash

Dusk drive to Perth City - aaah bliss

In the world of Leif, things have been much more active.  I have joined a few WA based Land Rover  Facebook groups and met some amazing, amazing people, with whom I have been buying, selling and trading parts. I must say it is very addictive.

If you are a Landy Lover in Western Australia check out these groups:

West Oz Series Go to page

AULRO Go to page

One of Leif's new friends came to visit, and brought parts of course :)

Nearly all of the parts that have been acquired are now waiting in a garage as patiently as UGU, ready to be installed and see the light of day, some day. Who knows when!

The addition to the parts stock pile this month include:

- 2x replacement chassis dumb irons, (new but dusty)

- A Series 2 Gearbox which is currently being refurbished.

This came up for sale and after my expensive rebuild of UGU's, this seemed like a steal. Leif currently has a non-original Series 3 Gearbox so it would be nice to go back to original, or so I told myself haha.  I will need to brush up on my driving skills as the S2 is a crash box with no synchromesh, could be a lot of grinding of gears 'til I get that right.

- I bought, and then sold a refurbished bulkhead as seen in this photo, as well as the seatbox which I still have but may actually on sell, opting to repair my original one

- and finally, but most significantly was Leif's change of footwear.  Hanging up his party boots and slipping on more comfortable original wheels, his transformation is a move in the right direction and I am really excited.

Party Boots have danced their last dance

Comfy shoes more suited to Leif's age

The return of the original, larger 16" wheels has slightly increased the ground clearance, but has also made it more noticeable that the front bumper is missing; fear not, I have negotiated a galvanised bumper that is yet to be delivered, but will be fitted once the new dumb irons have been installed.

To allow all this buying of parts, in the background I have been selling many of the items I bought several months ago on my multiple trips to Landy Restorers heaven, investing every dollar straight back into this project.

Multiple trips to parts Utopia

I have even spent hours trolling the UK parts suppliers building my "wish lists" ready for that special day when I can "add to cart' followed by "proceed to checkout".

In the mean time, my excitement is further supported by words of reassurance from the previous owner and original Leif.  I wanted to give him an update on what I was doing and what is planned, so I sent him some photos.  He responded telling me that he was "...very happy to see it getting some love."

Leif moves into the 21st Century

Due to me being unable to drive Leif as he has no road license, he has not been able to stretch his legs and therefore the battery is getting low.  I need to keep his strength up so that I can start him up and move him back and forward to ensure that the clutch does not seize up again, however sitting outside it is not possible to plug him into a mains charger, and having the battery in the house to charge is not an option, so I decided to buy a solar charger to keep him alive.

I have never used one before, but it seemed like a great solution to the problem, so with it placed and connected to the battery I hope to be able to start up Leif over the weekend, I will keep you posted.

As it says "free power from the sun", I like free!

This is certainly the shiniest thing about Leif!

The solar cell is supposed to be located outside, but I am going to keep it locked up safe inside. If however, it doesn't work as well, I will relocate.

The results are in.  After a week catching a few hours of winter sun Leif is ALIVE!!!!  Check out my video: