After purchasing this vehicle in June 2018, a full strip down and rebuild was undertaken over approximately 12 months. The chassis was in excellent rust-free condition so was rubbed down and repainted. The brake system was completely replaced, including new master cylinder, brake lines, slave cylinders and seals, drums and shoes. Front and rear axles, hubs, and propshafts were rebuilt, with new bearings and seals throughout. A full Autosparks wiring loom was fitted, with new lights and lenses to the front and rear. A ‘Hawk’ remote controlled car alarm has also been fitted.
The engine and gearbox were given a full service at the rebuild stage and the clutch plate was relined. The engine and gearbox have both since been fully rebuilt. The engine was rebuilt in early 2020, and was rebored to +. 030, honed and fitted with new pistons, high torque camshaft, new core plugs and new harmonic balancer. The gearbox was rebuilt in December 2021 with new first and second gears, bearings and seals.
All body panels were stripped, and the worst of the dents straightened, though the bodywork still retains some signs of its age. The bulkhead top rail was replaced, with a new section welded in. A full respray was carried out in Light Aircraft Grey coach enamel from Paintman. The interior was finished with new seats from Undercover Covers in grey elephant hide vinyl.
New deck boards were fitted onto the tray bed and headboard, and a spare wheel well was incorporated. Drop sides were fabricated for the tray back which can be easily removed for maximum versatility. Below the tray, Daken lockable toolboxes have been fitted both sides which are ideal for carrying tools, straps, ropes etc.
Since the rebuild was completed, larger 7. 50 x 16 Avon Rangemaster tyres have been fitted, on Defender wheel rims, and the front and rear differentials have been replaced with Range Rover Classic 10 spline versions with a 3. 54:1 ratio which is better suited to the engine than the standard 4. 7:1 series differentials.
The original differentials and the original wheels fitted with 6. 50 x 16 Michelin XL tyres (cracked with age) will all be included in the sale. The original wheels are stamped ‘ROK Australia’ and are date stamped. The standard drum handbrake has also been replaced with an X-Eng disk handbrake for a more effective hold, but the original handbrake components will be included in the sale.
This Land-Rover was recovered on a farm in Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia by David D’Arcy of Land Rover Heaven in September 2016. It was assembled as a CKD by the Pressed Metal Corporation Ltd in Sydney and purchased by the New South Wales Electrical Commission on the 9th October 1957. The Electrical Commission at that time were involved in the construction and operation of one of the largest civil engineering projects in the world, the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric scheme and it is understood that this vehicle operated on that scheme. It carries a commemorative plaque on the front grille.
Following the Land Rovers recovery, it was shipped to Agricultural and Cross Country Vehicles in Stourbridge, UK in January 2018. As the rear body was missing when it was recovered, a flatbed ‘tray’ was fitted from another vehicle which originated in New Zealand. The Land-Rover is fitted with a 1970’s Holden 202, six-cylinder petrol engine (3. 3 litres) with a Dellow conversion adapter.
In all this is a very versatile and usable Land-Rover. It has been featured in articles in 'Land Rover Monthly' and 'Classic Land Rover' magazines.
There are very few 'trayback' series Land Rovers around in the UK so this vehicle attracts a lot of interest when out and about. The Holden straight six engine, whilst being a common conversion in Australia is also uncommon this side of the world and has a fantastic burbling sound and performance that will exceed later series vehicles.
Reluctant sale is due to lack of use these days as I have a modern pickup through work.
