Introduction

I've created this blog to document a project I'm about to start working on. Both to record progress for myself and to keep friends and family up to date with how it is going.

I had been looking for a Land Rover to rebuild for a while but not seriously until recently, when a change of shift at work granted me more daylight hours to work on a project. I knew I wanted a short wheel base Land Rover, both because it would fit in my garage with more room to spare and also because I have already done a long wheel base 109" Land Rover with my father about 8 years ago. Series 3 was my preference, mainly because I like the grill/front end and sleaker door handles of the Series 3, they seem more modern than the series 2, without losing that classic Land-Rover image.

After browsing Trademe and Facebook for a few months I realised that the value of old Land Rovers has risen drastically since the last time I bought one back in 2008, when I could get one with registration on hold for a little over 1000 bucks. Now people are asking $2000 to $3000 for something with dead reg. I decided to go back to where I bought my last one, a guy in Rolleston who has a yard full of Land Rovers in varying states of disrepair. Luckily he remembered me from last time and gave me a good deal on a 1973 Series 3 88" Hard Top.

It isn't in great shape and the registration is dead, but it was the only Series 3 that he had, and I figure that seeing as I plan on stripping it right back to the chassis I should be able to repair/ replace everything that's worn out and can have it re-VIN'd and issued new plates when I'm done. I think with reg on hold vehicles the temptation is too great to rush the work and only do 'what's required for a WOF' to get it back on the road. At least with dead rego I won't be tempted down that path.

The bad points:

• The bulk head looks riddled with rust and the footwells consist of more patches than original British steel. 
• The front guards are torn
• Tool tray below passenger seat is rusted right through
• The drivers side bulkhead mounting chassis crossmember is completely rusted out, no doubt there will be plenty more chassis rust once I get it apart.
• The engine and rear differential is seized. 
• There is a nasty hole cut in the rear bulkhead where the PO had fitted an LPG cylinder.
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The good points:

• The rear tub is exceptionally straight (except for the LPG cylinder hole) 
• Hard top is straight (under the years of moss growing on it) 
• Comes with a spare bulkhead and complete seatbox to repair the ones on the Land Rover
• AVM freewheeling hubs
• My friend has a spare 2250cc petrol Land Rover engine that came from an Army surplus auction, which he is generously giving to me for free.
• It's made of metal and is basically a giant Meccano set, it can be repaired!

I pick the Land-Rover up next weekend, stay tuned for more..