October 2014

My little Ford Connect has served me extremely well for the past three years or so, but the time has come to think about the next generation of what news editor Adam Clarke calls the 'Cottyvan'. My first criteria for its replacement is that it must be four-wheel drive. The only van meeting this demand is the VW Transporter 4Motion. My second criteria is that it must be a Land Rover. Sadly the VW fails miserably at this test and is discounted.

Why a Land Rover? Aside from the fact that they are unbelievably cool, they are also extremely useful in my line of work. Last year there were several occasions when the Ford sat idle in the driveway while I commandeered my wife's ageing Freelander for newsgathering operations during floods. Sure, I could have taken the van and made do like everyone else, but the idea here is to stay ahead of the competition. That doesn't necessarily mean that I would get further into deeper danger just to get the shots than I would do in a mere car-type vehicle. What it does mean is being able to get to the actual location in the first place. Ever travelled on a day with severe flooding? All traffic - bar the nutters - stays on main carriageways causing massive delays. Local side roads and country lanes become no-go zones as they cross flooded brooks. That is, unless you are in a Land Rover.

Snow also causes similar traffic snarl-ups. Side and country roads become impassable to most, even VW 4Motions. The Land Rover shrugs off most snow up to about 15 inches deep. Drifts of more than a couple of feet have to be taken with care as they often hide low walls, beached Maseratis and various agricultural implements.

So a Land Rover it is. One Ten Defender Utility. Do you know that that the wheelbase is not actually 110 inches? (Michael Caine: 'Not a lot of people know that'). My last one was a standard One Ten XS Station Wagon of 2005 vintage with 7k on the clock. It wasn't possible to buy the utility version at the time, so I had it customised by replacing all rear side panel windows with blanking panels. You can get the Utility versions off the shelf since about 2007, so I'll be looking for one early next year, a few years old with as low miles as possible. There's a long way to go first. I've settled on the design based on the previous Defender I had, and the updated concept is provided below.

Meanwhile, lots of web research first to source hardware and upgrades. The Ford Connect will be giving up the dish, and the LandySat will not only be able to FTP, but also to provide live shot capability. That's the plan...

Good fun this!

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13January 2015

Sourced a base vehicle for the project from Listers Land Rover in Droitwich. A 2011 Coniston Green Defender 110 XS Utility Wagon 2.4l diesel with 34,000 miles on the clock. A good, straight vehicle in concours condition. First order of the day is to obtain some Mud products seat rails to increase front seat height by an inch and a half or so. Tall folk and Land Rovers need a little cajoling from each side to make the relationship work well. Comfort levels dramatically increased here. I've retrieved the reversing camera from its hibernation in the garden shed and cleaned it up ready to press into use. The shopping list for other items grows constantly and within a couple of weeks, work will start in earnest to build cabinetry and racking ready to take all the kit. But before all that, the thorny subject of insurance - time for some phone-bashing!

Meanwhile, here's a pic of the old girl. Meet the Green Goddess...