RECCE VEHICLE

[chaz]

Hi, just acquired a nice series one which has spent the last 25 years in a shed. The gearstick is sheared off which is probably why they stopped using it. 32,000 miles on the clock, dessicated rat on passengers floor
Chassis and bulkhead are pretty rotten. Plan at the moment is to repair and conserve rather than restore.
I know a fair bit about the later series Landrovers, but know next to nothing about series ones, so could use an "idiot guide" to series ones if such a thing exists.
Regards,
Chaz
 
 
 
 

[rodthrutheblock]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a great project. Try a search for SXF.

[Fen Boy]

Welcome to the Forum and ! Looks a nice genuine find you have there !
The 'idiot' guide comes in the form of 'common-sense' and don't be afraid to ask questions on this very Forum.  I was in a similar situation to you approx 13 months ago - where do you start ? - who do you ask ? - what do to first ? - where do spares come from ? ...............  then everything became clear and all the answers appeared ............... Use the 'search' function and look at other members cars/stories/articles/restorations etc etc ......... its all here !
 
LRSOC.com/forum !!!!
 
Good Luck.
 
 

[Autokaci]

Nice....and I mean really nice...keychain...I want it!

That sure is a nice piece of genuine originality for the vehicle!

 
Kaci

[Chriswilderspin]

In addition to the above :-
 
1. Don't be too hasty to repaint etc. as, with an SXF vehicle, you may find some interesting wording on doors (as you have ) and other panels.
 
2. You will find a number of people with a particular interest in SXF vehicles so use their knowledge and experience.
 
3. Get yourself a parts book - they are more useful than the workshop manual although it is worth getting one of those as well if you start serious rebuilding.
 
4. Join the club (loads of info, spares, suppliers etc.)
 
It looks a beauty - good luck.
 
Cheers,
 
Chris.

[TomC]

Chriswilderspin is quite correct when he says that there are several people interested in SXF vehicles, but I am sure that you have discovered that already.  Graeme Aldous is the Guru in this area and it is quite unusual for a vehicle to appear that isn't on his database.  It is even more unusual for one to appear in such excellent original (or so it looks) condition, let alone one that would appear to have its original key fob.
 
It would be very interesting if you could photograph and post any unusual fittings in the hardtop or any writing/stencils as these are the features that usually haven't survived.  It looks as if it might have had signboards attached to the outside  of the hardtop?
 
How far had it moved from its original place of service?  Some appear to have been sold to local Councils and so managed to remain fairly near their area of service.
 
TomC

[chaz]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I'm aware of the interest in SXF vehicles as I used to have an SXF Commer Q4 http://www.goatpark.force9.co.uk/tempsite/commerq4.htm In fact I had four Q4's SXF 563, SXF 538, RYX 404 and a numberless army one but that's another story....
The doors have "RECONNAISSANCE" on them and the hard top sides have "CIVIL DEFENSE CORPS" fire extinguisher bracket on the passengers footwell, don't know what else there is as I've not had time to look it over properly yet. I'll add a page to my website when I've had a moment and taken some decent pics. I've emailed the SXF database bloke with the details so far. I don't know where it was originally in service, no details in "The Green Machine" book, but the family who owned it had an estate in south east Scotland, then bought an estate here on the west coast and brought the landrover with them, It was used for shooting on the estate until the early 80's.
Regards,

Chaz

[Autokaci]

Very interesting web site there Chaz!

 
Kaci

[Honolulujoe]

+1

fantastic job you did on that truck, nice read too.

[chaz]

I had a moment to take a few pics of the interesting? bits today,
 
Roof, showing the two aerial mount positions and the interior light screws.
 
Roof from the inside, but you'd probably worked that out....
 
You can (hopefully) see some of the "civil defense corps" on the side
 
Holes for mounting the sign boards along the sides.
 
Passengers seat moved sideways and added blocks or wood.
 
Passengers seat from behind. It still hits the triangle on the left even with the  wooden  spacers.
 
Radio connection sockets.
 
Lucas 6way junction box feeding the radio sockets, no sign of where the power came from, or was there a battery box where the centre seat is?? I assume there was and that's why the seat got moved. Will need to reread the SXF webpage....
 
Row of holes in the off side hardtop stiffener, assume radio table mount??
 
Holes in off side floor, assume radio table legs??

Hope that's of some interest to a few of you 
The bulkhead looks to be pretty much knackered, very little left to weld patches to so I may have to try and find a new/good one. Not had it up on the ramp yet but the chassis ain't good either  I stuck a battery in it, jury rigged a fuel pump and after some points cleaning she fired up and ran very nicely. a little smoky but the petrol I used was two stroke mix for the chainsaw. Sounds sweet anyway and with 30 something thousand miles on it , I can't imagine it's worn out.
Glad some of you liked my website, it's hopelessly out of date but there's always more important stuff to do out in the workshop.... 
Regards,

Chaz

[TomC]

Thank you, Chaz, for taking the trouble to produce such interesting photographs.  I am sure that others will also find them very interesting.
 
TomC

[Rick O Shea]

Cracking website, I really like the chainsaw mill, from log to routed out section very impressive. The landrover is also interesting well done and good luck.