Mr Vass-de-Zomba, who works for Land Rover, told the jury the vehicle was in very poor condition with indications of limited maintenance, inappropriate adjustments and worn components.
He said the vehicle should not have been on the road. He found the steering wheel did not self-align and when first turned had no effect.
The two rear tyres were larger than standard and under-inflated making them "springier". The chassis frame was damaged and a critical part connected to the rear axle had been welded and was 25mm too long.
The vehicle's centre of gravity had been affected making it more likely to roll.
Lincolnshire Police vehicle investigator Thomas Merrick confirmed problems with the steering, brakes, axle and the driver's seat.
Even the Vehicle Identification Number on the chassis did not match the vehicle's registration plate meaning the chassis was three years older than the registration plate indicated.
Mr Merrick said there was an imbalance in the braking system for the front wheels, there was hardly any braking effect on the rear wheels and the hand brake did not work.
Nigel Gresham, 37, of Witham Drive, denies four charges of causing death by dangerous driving.
The trial continues.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Spencer claimed Gresham's driving was itself dangerous but the condition of the 110 was also an important factor in the tragedy.
He told the court: "The Land Rover was a vehicle he had owned for around four years and he carried out a number of modifications to it.
"Probably his major pastime was driving it off-road and it may be that a number of modifications were intended to assist him with that.
"Sadly, they did not assist him in driving it on-road. Many of the modifications - if not most of them - were ill-judged. Many were incompetently carried out."
Mr Spencer said Gresham had failed to carry out a number of necessary repairs rendering the vehicle dangerous. Investigators found the rear brakes of the car hardly worked at all and the vehicle would sometimes slew sideways as different sized brake calipers had been fitted to the front wheels.
Trailing-link arms that held the rear axle in place were also faulty, with one fitted wrongly and the bracket on the other having rusted away. Experts also found the steering to be defective.
Gresham and his family were travelling towards Tattershall Bridge when they met vehicles from a boat race held nearby.
The driver of the first car travelling towards him, Marie Guingouain, was so alarmed by Gresham's speed as he passed that she screamed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doesn't sound too good really. Different sized calipers?
1995 Defender 110 300TDI :D
1954 86" Series 1 Automatic :eek:
Ex '66 109" flat deck, '82 109" 3 door, '89 110 CSW V8, '74 Range Rover, '66 88" soft top, '78 88" soft top, '95 Disco ES V8, '88 Surf, '90 Surf, '84 V8 Surf, '91 Vitara.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by 87County
Bookmarks