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Exhibitor News

Classic Motor Show 2022

28 Jul 2024

It is true, Land Rovers really do have souls!

Land Rover Series 2 Club Stand: 3-380
It is true, Land Rovers really do have souls!
Do you remember the story from Only Fools and Horses, about Trigger’s Broom? He had had it for 20 years, it had 17 new heads and 14 handles, but it was still his broom. There is something inspiring in this story, that also applies to the wonderful old cars that are the Series Land Rovers. When we undertake restorations and the car gets a new door, or a new engine, or even a new chassis, it is still the same car at its core, with the same place in our lives, and perhaps the same soul. What is so special about these great old cars? True, they are part of British history, true we tend to get attached to special cars, like our first drive, the car we brought a child home from hospital in, the one our Grandad drove. But there is much more to it than that, as this amazing story spanning 14 countries and six decades shows…

When Ian Haddon bought his 1967 Series 2A, named Gilbért, and set off for France with his friend, a very useful mechanic Rick, they had no idea that the car would still be in their lives 57 years later, or that their amazing story would be being told to exemplify the history of this amazing marque.  

Over the next two and a half years they travelled through France, Switzerland, Persia and on through to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. They worked along the way and travelled unhindered until they reached an impasse as the Suez Canal. It was shut due to the Arab/Israeli war, fortunately though, the car was lucky enough to obtain passage on the last boat to Australia, with the intrepid duo continuing their travels on. They managed to find their feet and work in Australia before travelling through Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico towards the USA, followed by Canada. From there they travelled back to the UK.

Ian then sold the car, and so it remained out of sight and out of mind until 2020, when he found an old photo of his beloved Gilbért and became very nostalgic. He may have sold the car but it had not truly left him, and after some searching on the DVLA website the car was found, in a very sorry state, on a farm in the Pennines. Gilbért was reunited with its’ former owner, and transported to Quantock Classics in Bridgwater to start a year long restoration led by Chris Boyer. This involved extensive work including new chassis and bulkhead, key parts such as the roof and bonnet were rebuilt, however the all important steering wheel that Ian and Rick had spent so much time using to take them on their travels was retained. The hardest part of the restoration was finding the right parts, which Chris managed with some hard work.

So Gilbért is now restored back to its former glory, reunited with the owners whose lives it touched so deeply during their youth, and is ready to go again. Just like Trigger’s Broom, it has had some new parts, but it has not lost its soul.

If you want to come and see Gilbért, he will be waiting for you at the NEC, and Ian will also be giving a talk about the adventures, life and times of this amazing car. Including some incredible stories of locations and situations (think volcanic explosions) not reached by others! 

The Series 2 Club can help members undertake this type of restoration, and advice can be obtained from other members on areas as diverse as tracking vehicles down, restoration help, parts and pitfalls. If you are interested in learning more about these cars and the dedication of the club to helping people preserve their history, then come and talk to us at the show.

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