Big Meccano for grown-ups
For the generation who has known the Meccano toys...
- It is a common saying that Land Rovers are like
Meccano for grown ups. You can virtually disassemble
any component of the car with simple tools without too
much efforts (rust involvement excepted) or knowledge.
- This means that Land Rovers can be fixed and
modified quite easily, everywhere in the world, by
almost anyone.
- From the first Series 1 to the latest Defender
produced in 2016, the same logic of parts bolted /
riveted together apply. You even have parts that can
be exchanged with no modification from the Series II
(around 1960) up to the Defender (up to 2016) ! A
quite unique feature in the automotive world that
participate to the Land Rover legend. A concept of
longevity and sustainability long forgotten these days
where mechanic don't have the skills to repair, but
only to replace a defective part with another,
provided by the manufacturer.
Victoria, as an example, was delivered in 1963 as a pick-up truck, being dismounted during summertime to become a fully-opened cabriolet, followed later by its opposite configuration, being fully enclosed using a full length hard-top to finally become a full soft-top, with rolling panels on sides and back.
Actually, in 60 years, Victoria just experienced all of the versions she could have been turned into, with no exception !
1963-1994 Pick-up in Switzerland
Genuine optional configuration:
pick-up 3 seater version.
- Typically called a "pick-up truck" in the USA, which means an enclosed cabin protecting the driver and two passengers seating next to him, with a back end cargo bed enclosed by three low walls.
- At the back, the tailgate unfold down on 2 hinges, retained by 2 chains.
- A specific canvas can protect the cargo area.
- The car was used during 30 years on a farm in
Switzerland under this configuration to carry all kind
of loads. It was kept this way another decade
thereafter its retirement into civil life.
- (photo found on the web: not the actual car but
probably very similar)
1994-1996 Pick-up & new paintwork
Genuine optional configuration:
pick-up 3 seater version.
- Typically called a "pick-up truck" in the USA, which means an enclosed cabin protecting the driver and two passengers seating next to him, with a back end cargo bed enclosed by three low walls.
- At the back, the tailgate unfold down on 2 hinges, retained by 2 chains.
- A specific canvas can protect the cargo area.
- The car was used during 30 years on a farm in
Switzerland under this configuration to carry all kind
of loads. It was kept this way another decade
thereafter its retirement into civil life.
- (photo dating around 1996, France)
1996-2006 Pathfinder
When weather permitted, the pick-up
canopy was dismounted to give a bit of fresh air.
Victoria was driven as a "pathfinder", an unofficial name to describe the full flat version of it where not only the roof is off, but the door tops too (2 big screws only, each side), and the windscreen hinged down on the bonnet (two big screws to unlock it).
This minimalist version was used by the British army to allow scouts to move forward through dense tropical forests. When driven on open roads, be ready to make regular encounter with all kind of insects.
(paper pictures before digital times around 1996)
1996-2003 Cabriolet
When weather permitted, the pick-up canopy was dismounted to give a bit of fresh air.
Ok, that was an easy one: from Pathfinder to Cabrio, you just have to fold the windscreen up, secure it with two massive bolts and here you go.(paper pictures before digital times around 1996)
2003-2006 Back to pick-up configuration
Back to pick-up configuration... in zebra stripes !
To celebrate the 40 years anniversary of Victoria, a wonderful paint scheme is applied temporarily.It will stay... more than 10 years, until the full restoration in 2020.
Note the home-made canvas matching the safari look of the zebra stripes.
2006-2013 Hard Top, back to
Switzerland
Tired of not being able to secure
things in a locked interior...
The hard top is purchased second hand (obviously) and has fixed side windows (some later models offer sliding windows, some have blind side panels).
The upper back panel is called "cat flap" and is a rare item these days.
It is quite easily installed, even if some holes are missing here and there, and the lower body was made for a pick-up version. But all in all, everything fits together and in a couple of hours, the initial installation is finished.
It allows to add a roof-rack to carry useless things. Great stuff.
2013-2020 Soft Top
Cotton canvas offer
decent protection, while reducing heavy resonance
The soft-top cotton canvas is without
any doubt the purest body version of all. It has many
advantages, as the fabric does not vibrates and
resonates like the hard-top rigid panels do: the ride is
much more silent.
The flexibility offered by the opening side and back panels, which can be rolled and fastened up, offer an open air experience, while being able to close the whole in no time.
Canvas can be purchased with side windows, or blind, depending on each own preference. A canvas stored outside under the sun and snow would easily last 10 years, if taken care of.
The flexibility offered by the opening side and back panels, which can be rolled and fastened up, offer an open air experience, while being able to close the whole in no time.
Canvas can be purchased with side windows, or blind, depending on each own preference. A canvas stored outside under the sun and snow would easily last 10 years, if taken care of.
2020-... Soft Top &
new paintwork
Entering in 2020 into
a full restoration process, canvas remains but color
changes (once more)
The soft-top cotton canvas is without
any doubt the purest body version of all. It has many
advantages, as the fabric does not vibrates and
resonates like the hard-top rigid panels do: the ride
is much more silent.
The flexibility offered by the opening side and back panels, which can be rolled and fastened up, offer an open air experience, while being able to close the whole in no time.
Canvas can be purchased with side windows, or blind, depending on each own preference. A canvas stored outside under the sun and snow would easily last 10 years, if taken care of.
The flexibility offered by the opening side and back panels, which can be rolled and fastened up, offer an open air experience, while being able to close the whole in no time.
Canvas can be purchased with side windows, or blind, depending on each own preference. A canvas stored outside under the sun and snow would easily last 10 years, if taken care of.
