In January 2012, John Fisher wrote:
Hi, I have recently come across, in South Lincolnshire, the remains of a Land Rover Series 1 carrying registration SXF 599, which I may be able to purchase. The vehicle was dismantled several years ago and various parts including engine and gearbox have been lost during further changes of ownership, as it was going to be rebuilt with a tdi engine. Bodywork appears to be complete including a hardtop with side windows. I haven't been able to examine closely as parts are stored at the back of a garage. There is a logbook from 1998 showing date of registration as May 1957. Could this be a Civil Defence vehicle?
I replied, saying that this was certain to be ex-CD, and speculated on the likely chassis number from the known vehicles around it. John replied:
Chassis number is 111701386 as you suspected, first registered 15/5/1957. Documents show two former keepers to 24/03/1984 with 40,265 on the clock, then registered in Leeds to 1998. MOTs to 1989 show no increase in mileage so maybe speedo broken. Then moved to Lincolnshire where it has had 1 registered owner and 2 not recorded. Colour is registered as green.
At the time John hadn't actually bought the vehicle, but wrote again soon after to say that he'd done so, and collected the remains. There was the usual Ministry of Supply brass plate under the bonnet, confirming the registration and chassis number. He also said:
On underside of bonnet there is white stenciled lettering MHS SSOOSUVM and B399. Unsure of relevance of some of these letters and numbers, but they may mean something to you. [No, sorry!] Hardtop has side and rear corner windows. Under rear corner windows there are patches both sides covering cut outs about 6 x 4 inches, unsure what these could have been for. [Me neither!] Haven't found any other distinctive marks or holes apart from holes in front wings similar to mirror mounting holes, but in the side not on top. [Door bump rubber holes] Engine and gearbox are missing but have tracked down owner of vehicle from 1998 who thinks he can recover the original gearbox from whom he sold it to, so fingers crossed! He did know whereabouts of engine but doesn't know if he can track it down as well.
A few weeks later (having worked out for himself the reason for the door bump rubber holes) he wrote:
I have now acquired the original rear axle, gearbox, some wheels and other parts from the 1998 owner who managed to buy them back from the person he sold them to. As yet he hasn't tracked down the whereabouts of the original engine, but I have managed to purchase a 1957 engine. As yet I've had no chance to do any work on the vehicle, but at least it is now all safely under cover. Sorry don't have any photos at present but will send when I get some done.
John clearly had an interesting restoration project on his hands.
Subsequently, in June 2014 the vehicle was offered on eBay. The vendor (John?) wrote:
Land Rover Series One, 88" 2.0 petrol with overdrive. Ex-Civil Defence SFX599.
Chassis is good — it's had new x-member, out riggers, new dumb irons, new springs, shocks and all fixings. New brake master cylinder, brake lines, flexie pipes, all new cylinders,shoes, brake springs and drums.
Bulkhead is in good order (think it's a home-made one), new fuel tank, lots off new bolts washers and nuts.
New loom, rear part already in chassis. All other bits &mdash doors, bonnet, wings, bumper, two spade seats, dash, gearbox and overdrive are the right ones for this truck. The 2.0 engine is 1957, but not the one from this chassis. Also tin of paint and thinners. Comes with hard top and canvas sticks.
Bad bits — some bits in boxes are a bit rusty, no rad.
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The Starting Price was £6000, but it didn't attract any bids, and failed to sell.
[To add (or alter) information on this page, please contact me on sxf@teeafit.co.uk.]