90 Retro restoration project
Discussion
Last year I bought a 1986 Land Rover 90 from a mechanic friend of mine. The main appeal was the fact that it was a V8, had formerly been owned by an airport fuel depot (therefore mechanically well looked after) and a canvas top. Downside was the various layers of paint - original blue, then yellow, then orange, culminating in a horrible brush applied pea-green slap, done by a former owner clearly in a hurry who’d managed to overpaint all the rubbers, light fixtures, interior etc in the process.
We struck a deal which included my friend replacing the usual rusty bulkhead corners (the only real corrosion) and, much to the delight of my kids, I took possession of the car just in time for summer use last year. Using what I had lying around in the garage, I did my best to tidy it up by popping on a set of Range Rover alloys, a replacement bumper and grill, and over the winter a new set of shocks all round.
These pictures really fail to show the horrible paintwork but, as you can see, the early V8s (LT95 gearbox) were essentially a Series 3 on the inside with three rudimentary seats across the front and very basic dash.
From fall into winter - Day 330 by CY2010, on Flickr
Dog-eared by CY2010, on Flickr
When the run out models were announced for the Defender last year, I thought the Heritage one was best, and hatched a plan to give the 90 a new lease of life, combining some elements of the new Heritage and also the older NAS models. There’s a Dutch outfit called Riverhouse who do up 1980s Land rovers to export to the US, and their projects have provided some inspiration http://miniobsession.com/category/defender-2/.
So over the last few months I have been amassing a stash of bits in preparation for the project, amongst the new parts including (externally) puma bonnet, series-style two piece door conversion and classic style led lights all round. I’ve arranged to get all the layers of old paint stripped back and a new paint job… probably Keswick.
Imagine a canvas top version a bit like this and you sort of get the idea….
Old style interior, updated like this from that Dutch site…
So, do you guys have any advice? Perhaps alternative colours, or must have bits and pieces to add, or recommended work to sort out during such a restoration? Cries of derision or support?
This may become a build blog, so look forward to hearing any suggestions!
We struck a deal which included my friend replacing the usual rusty bulkhead corners (the only real corrosion) and, much to the delight of my kids, I took possession of the car just in time for summer use last year. Using what I had lying around in the garage, I did my best to tidy it up by popping on a set of Range Rover alloys, a replacement bumper and grill, and over the winter a new set of shocks all round.
These pictures really fail to show the horrible paintwork but, as you can see, the early V8s (LT95 gearbox) were essentially a Series 3 on the inside with three rudimentary seats across the front and very basic dash.
From fall into winter - Day 330 by CY2010, on Flickr
Dog-eared by CY2010, on Flickr
When the run out models were announced for the Defender last year, I thought the Heritage one was best, and hatched a plan to give the 90 a new lease of life, combining some elements of the new Heritage and also the older NAS models. There’s a Dutch outfit called Riverhouse who do up 1980s Land rovers to export to the US, and their projects have provided some inspiration http://miniobsession.com/category/defender-2/.
So over the last few months I have been amassing a stash of bits in preparation for the project, amongst the new parts including (externally) puma bonnet, series-style two piece door conversion and classic style led lights all round. I’ve arranged to get all the layers of old paint stripped back and a new paint job… probably Keswick.
Imagine a canvas top version a bit like this and you sort of get the idea….
Old style interior, updated like this from that Dutch site…
So, do you guys have any advice? Perhaps alternative colours, or must have bits and pieces to add, or recommended work to sort out during such a restoration? Cries of derision or support?
This may become a build blog, so look forward to hearing any suggestions!
Easter weekend brought some sun, and some "before" pictures to record the 90 in all its loveliness prior to work getting underway.
Interesting bonnet accent that I've been waiting to be rid of...
Layers of thick brushed paint over the top of old decals and signwriting....
Virtually everything in this picture will be replaced with new
As it used to work for a living, it had sheet metal reinforcement panels riveted on top of the rear wheelarches. I took these off (and the spare wheel mounting) to reveal what is left of the original colour. Black paint all over the inside too!
And one quick question. I started dismantling the front end as its going to have a new radiator prior to painting. A quick line up of the aircon style front panel reveals that, whilst it fits nice and snug at the sides, the fixing holes on the top of it are a good cm forward from the screw fixing holes in existing 1980s slam panel. I'm assuming this is normal and some kind of work around is required?
Cheers all.
Interesting bonnet accent that I've been waiting to be rid of...
Layers of thick brushed paint over the top of old decals and signwriting....
Virtually everything in this picture will be replaced with new
As it used to work for a living, it had sheet metal reinforcement panels riveted on top of the rear wheelarches. I took these off (and the spare wheel mounting) to reveal what is left of the original colour. Black paint all over the inside too!
And one quick question. I started dismantling the front end as its going to have a new radiator prior to painting. A quick line up of the aircon style front panel reveals that, whilst it fits nice and snug at the sides, the fixing holes on the top of it are a good cm forward from the screw fixing holes in existing 1980s slam panel. I'm assuming this is normal and some kind of work around is required?
Cheers all.
Rob_H said:
My preference in colour is the grassmere green with black roof, alloys and black plastics. Look forward to seeing your progress !
Rob
i did wonder about that colour too, but I think its a little too pale. There's a 110 softtop on ebay that's in that colour and I reckon it clashes with the canvas they've used - would probably suit black better. Rob
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LAND-ROVER-DEFENDER-TD5-20...
I converted my 90 hard top to a soft top last year. Won't look back, the soft top is so much better. Would love to read your build log! I'll offer any advice I can.
I think in your position given the age of vehicle etc I'd go for a retro version of the retro version if you get what I mean. Your vehicle is already retro, so why dress it in puma bits and then make it look retro, why not just go for the look without the updated bonnet and grille etc? Always think they look wrong on an early vehicle, and the flat grill non-ac grille just looks better full stop. Just my 0.02
The beauty of them is you can do as you want!
I think in your position given the age of vehicle etc I'd go for a retro version of the retro version if you get what I mean. Your vehicle is already retro, so why dress it in puma bits and then make it look retro, why not just go for the look without the updated bonnet and grille etc? Always think they look wrong on an early vehicle, and the flat grill non-ac grille just looks better full stop. Just my 0.02
The beauty of them is you can do as you want!
mikeh501 said:
The beauty of them is you can do as you want!
Amen to that! I'm hoping it will that it will be more classic in appearance than not once all is done. Just put an order in for old style metal light surrounds. hidetheelephants said:
at the ebay ad LR; rusty chassis available as standard
I saw that too! makes you wonder why they didn't treat even the visible bits of the chassis after all that effort on the paintwork? Bit of progress at the weekend, mainly the fitting of a new radiator with twin kenlowe fans
Was also pleased to discover that behind the standard plastic headlamp surrounds there isn't a big square hole between the sidelight and indicator. This means that I should be able to get away with painted series light surrounds only, and not those expensive nakatanenga inserts I was mulling over
3 successive paint colours on the front.
Can anyone recommend good alloy / stainless door and bonnet hinges? I'm yet to decide on these. Cheers
Was also pleased to discover that behind the standard plastic headlamp surrounds there isn't a big square hole between the sidelight and indicator. This means that I should be able to get away with painted series light surrounds only, and not those expensive nakatanenga inserts I was mulling over
3 successive paint colours on the front.
Can anyone recommend good alloy / stainless door and bonnet hinges? I'm yet to decide on these. Cheers
Edited by CY88 on Monday 20th April 11:08
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