Current Owner: Bob Hunt, Lewes, E.Sussex
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Information has been given by Graham Smith, who is assisting the owner of the vehicle to get it running again. He wrote (10/16):
The vehicle has been in his barn for years but the engine is free turning using the starter handle, and the hope is to work to get it back on the road eventually. After having a good look it seems to be in fair shape for its age and even has the registration plate! It seems to have a base colour of yellow, and then black or dark blue which is topped with green. There are some sort of brackets rear of the front doors.
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The brackets are the front ones of the pair that held the vehicle's 'detachment' name board when it was in CD service — the offside one is visible here, and would have had a turnbuckle on the circular part. The board slotted into a fixed rear bracket at the other end of the tub, and was held in place at the front by the turnbuckle. On hard tops this set-up was higher, above the waistline, and this is a way of identifying whether the vehicle was a hard- or soft-top in service.
The yellow paint is a mystery. It clearly seems to have been the original, and is under the Ministry of Supply brass plate under the bonnet, but I've never heard of a Civil Defence vehicle being painted yellow for any reason. It's been suggested that the AA used some SXF vehicles in the Highlands when they were released from Crown service, but I have no confirmation of that. If anyone knows about this, or the yellow paint, please contact me as below.
Graham also said:
I’ve given Bob paperwork to apply for a new V5 as his is missing, and we are slowly moving towards getting it running after downloading numerous manuals and information — strange how it can take over your life.
Indeed! We wish Graham and Bob every success in this restoration, and will be happy to post details of progress.
I had emails from Kevin Goldsmith, Bob Hunt's nephew. He told me that Graham Smith is no longer working on the vehicle, but that he (Kevin) is. He said:
Myself and a friend are currently rewiring, checking the electrics and making all the lights, horn, wipers, dip switch etc are all working (with success I might add). The front panel that holds the headlamps has gone to have its holes welded but should be back any day(?) I’ve got hold of a repair part which has to be welded on immediately under the windscreen. Then it will be wheels, tyres & canvas.
He sent me three new pictures:
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Kevin says that his uncle "Must be serious this time because he has sold 2 little fergy tractors to help fund the restoration! I have a Series 3 myself, so I guess it will be me who will see it back on the road!"
They are also trying to source a secondhand canvas tilt to suit an 88", because a new one would look too good for the 'patina' restoration that they are trying to achieve... offers via the email address below. And, of course, there is still that question of why an ex Civil Defence Land-Rover should be painted bright yellow, even under fixings like the detachment board turnbuckles, which one would have expected to be painted over, or even removed completely... not removed and replaced after a re-paint.
Kevin reported:
Just to let you know SXF 661 is back on the road. No canvas tilt yet but I’ve managed to obtain a truck cab which we’ll fit to it.
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(Not that it would have had a truck cab in CD service.) He also sent more pics of the work in progress:
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[To add (or alter) information on this page, please contact me on sxf@teeafit.co.uk.]