Land Rover 127

Originally a rapier missile tractor(12 AY 40) from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. The first owner put it to Foleys and had a luton body built on top of the original pick up bed and a truck cab fitted to be used as a works vehicle for a water management company. I bought it as an E-bay bargain early in 2007 after persuading my better half that a second 127 was essential! By this point the Land Rover had a 3.9 efi engine and rapidly failling discovery gearbox fitted complete with gear stick poking through the seat box and a deafening, above 40mph, set of Michelin xcl's fitted. The only high spot was it had an LPG conversion which made it affordable to run and over the next few years it was slowly mechanically put right and used as my daily driver.

Over a manic 8 weeks starting in June 2010 I stripped the rear body back to the original pick up bed as the added section was showing it's age and really needed beefing up. A lot of the steel work was replaced and a new rear panel with a made to measure door was fitted. With the body resembling a box again and properly sealed and insulated, the internal wall boards and Seitz windows were fitted before moving on to furniture building. The interior design was done by my better half,Carol. We toured the west coast of the Scottish Highlands when it was finished, unpainted and not the best looking thing but it all worked. 

I'm lucky as I'm an auto electrician to trade and have worked in the coachbuilding industry for a number of years. I've been into motorsport for years, building rally cars before moving into off road racing and being involved building off road racers. This is our first attempt at a camper but we're already planning the next project.

What made you choose this one?
Easy to maintain , relatively inexpansive for parts and insurance. Ideal base platform to build on. Bargain purchase price.

Main criteria for this project?
Build a comfortable,practical camper that is warm enough to be used during Scottish winters.

Modifications undertaken?
EBC brakes,goodridge brake hoses,dot5.1 brake fluid, QT suspension arms. Heavy duty springs.

Modifications yet to do?
Twin shock conversion,needs +2" springs on the front, repaint.Twin alternators. Rework sliding shelf for fridge and opening lid for toilet compartment.Awning.

How does it perform?
Drives nice with v8 grunt, shocking fuel consumption! about 12mpg ish. Handles well for its size but twin shocks will help stiffen it up.

What would you do differently?
add an elevating roof.

Comments (2)

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written by stanh, December 29, 2010

Hi have you more info on the shower ?
Cheers
Stan

shower
written by Steven Blair, December 30, 2010

Hi Stan,
No problem, I'll post the info and some pictures of the shower.

cheers,
Stevie.