NEST LANDROVER

The main company van, as many of you know, is an old Landrover. As we’re always being asked about it I thought that if I put it on here, I could then just refer people to it, rather than constantly getting into beardy weirdy discussions on Landrover specs.

So...it’s a Series III, long wheel base, built in 1979 by British Leyland – it shows all the finish quality of a car made in that year (which is probably how long it took to build, what with all the strikes).

The Landrover was purchased from new and converted into (of all things) a mobile seed testing lab for an agricultural research station. It essentially lived in a barn for 11 months – emerged at harvest and then went back to sleep – hence in approximately 30 years it clocked up only 16,000 miles!

The van was serviced every month for its entire life by the same mechanic – I have his monthly reports which are mundanely boring, with the odd highlight involving changing the battery!

It was originally fitted with a 6 cylinder petrol engine – quite possibly the worst engine ever made by Landrover. It is now fitted with a 200 TDi – possibly the best engine ever made by Landrover. It also has a non-standard low ratio gearbox which until I had an overdrive fitted meant it could only do a maximum speed of about 45mph. However, it is surprisingly fast off the mark – you can actually wheel spin it, not bad for a vehicle fitted with off-road tyres...

The main point of this vehicle, however, is its road appeal. It is, in effect, one big smile inducing advert for the business!

However, all legends must come to an end and we are beginning to think of replacing the Landy and our small Vauxhall van with something else – so if you’ve ever wanted a completely unique vehicle, put your bid in!