Stainless steel petrol tank
From the Resto-Mod department
Original Land Rover built petrol
tanks were bullet proof. The original one mounted on
Victoria started to leak only in the late 90's,
means almost 40 years from new. The excellent steel
used in the 60's is only part of the equation.
Another part is the thickness of it: the tank was
weighting probably twice as what a modern
refabrication weighs.
Cheap and easy to source tanks are everywhere today
(luckily) but don't expect them to last. The issue
is not only the trouble of having to change them
every 10 years, easy enough with very good access.
The more troublesome issue is that, before you
realise it, the consequent inner rust might have
damaged the mechanical fuel pump too, in despite of
its decantation glass bowl.
Least but not last, petrol today
include a part of ethanol, which means water: this
accelerates the steel rust and side effects.
To stop these problems, Victoria
had the chance to get a stainless steel hand crafted
tank, built on order in the South-West of France.
Too often, refabrication are approximately sized,
leading to fitting issues, or looking bad. This one
has the side embossed cross, just like the genuine
tank, that makes it look as it should. Brilliant
addition.
More pictures below.
