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Fuel tank, filler & hasp
The very first item to take care of when parts arrived was a weeping fuel filler tube behind the seats. While working in the area several other cleaning and restoration items were checked off the list and a diy hasp was crafted for the fuel cap. The passenger seat was removed and years of mud…
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Galvanized resolve
At some point many decades ago a friend of the previous owner spray-painted the inside of the tub in grey and the outside of the vehicle in off-white. Most of the galvanized steel material was also covered with spray paint, particularly inside, but as it does not hold well it was flaking off in many…
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Rainy tasks begin
Series rover steering wheels are notorious for breaking down after about 50 years. The coating on the outside wears off over time and the composite material leaves black sludge on your hands when the weather is damp. If the wheel is reasonably free from cracks or other defects this can be reset like new by…
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Spotted: Tembo Traces
In Qualicum Beach surrounded by curious onlookers. Rebuilt Austrian Steyr 12 m18 military truck with custom living space and plenty of overland accessories and storage. Huge!!
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Mountain to sea
Enjoying tea on the water with a great view of the early Fall sunset sky. Celebrating a long journey well traveled from the mountains to the sea and looking forward to the next season of the adventure. The series 2a dash is simple, honest, and unpretentious––as they say: what you see is what you get!
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Bringing Poppy home
Though this 1966 Series 2a Land Rover had a basic mechanical refresh in 2019 at the hands of the experts of Clapperton Ranch, it had largely sat in the garage for the four years since. Needless to say, there was some ambiguity about the fitness of the vehicle to make the journey through the mountains…
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Meet Poppy, Series 2a 109″
Poppy is a 1966 series 2a 109″ Land Rover that was made for the Canadian market and has been in British Columbia since it was new. It spent about 23 years driving the back roads around Kamloops and then about 30 sitting in a garage. Beginning in 2019 it has entered its next phase of…
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Mountain road trip
From the interior to the island, through the mountains in a 1966 Series 2a Land Rover on a lovely late summer day. Series Land Rovers have a unique style and presence that sure does make friends along the way and bring back memories for people like few other vehicles can!
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Spotted: 3-door Defender 110
In Qualicum Beach for the summer as a daily driver. Former British military now in clean and crisp black and white style, a tough look that a 3-door can pull off so well, Canadian flag decal, bush bar, driving lights, and fog lights. 1990 with 2.5L petrol and LT77 five speed, imported around 2013 and…
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Spotted: Defender 110 pickup
This may actually be built on a One Ten (pre-1990 defender) rather than a defender as it appears to have the older door handles, sliding window door tops, and windscreen hinges…or it could just be retro-fitted. It has been enhanced with a winch, heavy rock sliders, fog lights, heritage style grille and headlight surrounds, some…
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Spotted: Series 3 88″ with pickup cab
Series 3 88″ with a pickup cab and plenty of original galvanized trim. Tire on the bonnet, wing top mirrors, military bonnet latches, sliding windows, locking hubs, some added seats, and a little bit of chequerplate. Short wheelbase with a pickup cab is always such a cute configuration but just as tough as its brothers,…
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Spotted: Defender 130 with custom trayback
In Qualicum Beach enroute to a Land Rover event. Spencer can be found in Vancouver at Brigade Overland. His custom aluminum tray was fabricated in Alberta by Ralf and crew at Summit Expedition Trucks. Built-in storage trays and lockers, drop sides, raised rooftop tent, lights, roof rack, bush bar, bonnet solar panel, and locking aluminum…
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Spotted: three overland Defender 130s
Not one but three Defender 130s in one place at one time! Attending the Qualicum Beach Show & Shine briefly in the afternoon. Caps, rooftop tents, pop-top campers, fridges, roof racks, lights, light guards, bush bars, winches, and raised air intakes. At least one possibly a former safari vehicle imported from somewhere on the African…
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2019 Series 2a 109″ mechanical restoration
After sitting for about 30 years in a garage, this 1966 Land Rover Series 2a 109″ was sent to the rover experts of Clapperton Ranch in 2019 for a refresh. Alan Simpson and Monty Kinvig also restored the famous Canadian “Grizzly Torque“, in 2015. The goal for this ol’ rover was to be able to…
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Spotted: Hazel, Defender 110
A very unique and special defender with a story to match. A heavily upgraded 300tdi two door 110 with military origins, now set up for back country adventures in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Equipped with bush bar, winch, lights, custom roll cage, underbody protection, heavy duty axles, raised air intake, series doors, extended…
Prepare for adventure.
“If you don’t slow down once in awhile, life can pass you by.” Adventures can be far or near, large or small, and each one has a lesson–and a story.