Thread: Series Land Rover restorer in Aus?

G’day,
I’ve got a 1959 88’ SII hardtop on the farm in pretty sad condition. It has a LOT of sentimental value as it was the only car my family had when I was growing up (we didn't have much coin back then) and I’d love to see it running again for weekend drives. I can afford to spend money on it getting restored after a year or so but I can’t really spare the time as I work away and if I did it myself it would take several years before I could even get it started. I refurbed a SIIA 109 when I was 19 and that took long enough working on it every day! So I have a couple of questions:

1) Is there a specialist (or suitable) Land Rover restorer in Australia who could do the job? I’d be looking for someone experienced in Series Rovers and if I’m going to take this path I’d want the works: full strip down, galv chassis & bulkhead, 200Tdi engine, etc. I have no illusions about this being an expensive project.

There are a few who provide this service around the world:
http://www.glencoyne.co.uk/index.html , http://www.jakewright.com/ , http://www.churchill-landrover.com/Refurbishment%20details.htm , http://www.eastcoastrover.com/restorations.html
East Coast Rover have very impressive attention to detail and along the lines of what I’m looking for. But I haven’t heard of any Aussie workshops, do any exist here?

2) Who would you recommend for engine and gearbox works? I’m considering ordering a reconditioned 200Tdi and gearbox from Turner Engineering in the UK, probably take a few months to get here though. Can anyone local provide a similar level of quality (TE’s reputation for quality is famous). Would a rebuilt engine from a local Landy mechanic be much different to a Turner item?

Thanks, any advice is appreciated.

use Fred Smith in Melbourne for all of your mechanical restoration works. he will not compromise on quality..everything will be done using the correct nos parts etc.downside is he is fully booked for months and quality costs $$$$