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Fred Dibnah's Land Rover Series 11 Restoration & V8
conversion project (Part One)
For those that don't know him, Fred Dibnah is a very popular steeplejack
and steam engine fanatic from Bolton, Lancashire. Following many
colourful TV documentaries, he has become almost a household name.
So when we saw he also had a Land Rover, albeit a series 11, we
decided to see if there was anything we could do to help, and that
was our first mistake, as we ended up doing rather a lot more than
we had expected.
The land Rover as it was. Complete with Fred's tools of
the trade |
This
is what she looked like when recovered to our premises. From
a distance all looks in fair order, but as we began to strip
it, the horrors of a series 11 became all too apparent.
We would like to take the opportunity to offer our
thanks to Marsland
Chassis and JSF Landrovers for their assistance in this
project.
RPi can supply all chassis options from Marsland if required. |
In the process of a complete strip down. |
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When
I said rather a lot more, this was an understatement.
The idea originally was to convert it to unleaded for him,
but after the journey to our workshop it seemed that if this
vehicle were to ever go back on the road it would need some
serious rebuilding.
Like most jobs, the deeper we went, the worse it got, So we
decided there's nothing left but a total rebuild and our efforts
have been well rewarded as you will see from the details in
this section. |
Just a rolling chassis
now.
Well, we had no choice, strip it completely
or Scrap it !!!. |
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cant see it, but this chassis has had it, close inspection
reveals not only many many gaping holes and corrosion, but
also many previous repairs that are no more than patches welded
onto patches, Still 23 years of neglect are sure to have taken
their toll. If only Fred had spent less time on his Steam
Engines and more time on his Land Rover's needs. |
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It looks so
easy.
Because Land Rover have always
built these vehicles with the view to ease of changing parts between models,
stripping it is quite easy, its just like a giant model, but everything we took
off was proving to be far too bad to put back on again so nothing for it, we
have to keep going deeper, and we have not even started on the V8 conversion
yet. |
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With
the engine removed, we can now start to sort out the
bulkhead and with this conversion the V8 will fit as though
it was meant to be there in the first place. But first more
panels have to be removed and it's all going to be built up
on a brand new galvanized Chassis donated by Marsland Chassis
- you can find their web site here www.marsland-chassis.co.uk RPi can supply all
chassis options from Marsland if required.
and Fred's (BBC) web site here www.bbc.co.uk/education/dibnah
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1. With the front wings removed, it has revealed corroded
chassis and body sections and a small garden plot on the top
of the inner wing. |
2. The floor panels are removed, the air conditioning
in the chassis can easily be observed. It looks like this chassis is
finished. |
3. The interior is being stripped as more major corrosion
is discovered, Looks like more major repairs are required,
no worry, we will soon have it all under
control. |
4. The 2.25 engine shows a nice bright red light on
the dash when you go round corners, perhaps Fred just forgot to put any oil
in? |
Part 2 is online now (Click here)
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Disclaimer
Prices do not include local EU.Tax.(VAT).
Prices & stock are subject to change without notice. Information and advice, as always, is free.
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