The team at Bishop+Rook start the restoration of their latest Land Rover Defender 110 – “Project Blackwater.”
This French Land Rover Defender 110 came to the workshop with some very questionable paint and body work, but a smooth running motor. Follow along as we begin the process of stripping back the layers of ugly paint to discover what might be hidden beneath.
Seeing behind the scenes on a full restoration, including new experiments with a product from Cooper’s Strip Club that shows how to gently remove years of old paint without damaging the original body panels.
2023 Defender Buyer’s Guide
It’s taken a bit of effort, tweaking, and adjusting, but we’ve finally got this old Series to reach an incredible 50 MPH.
It’s mechanically one step above a go-kart and below a golf kart, but the amount of fun it provides is incalculable. When you drive something like this you should never be in a hurry to reach your destination.
#landrover #landroverseries #landroverseries2 #series2 #defender
Project Bingham. We`ve been on the fence about using this as a donor for a restoration project as we`ve grown to enjoy the unique character and driving experience of this original Defender.
Not all Defenders need to be restored. But we also know we can`t save them all.
#defender #defender90 #landrover #landroverdefender #defenderrestoration #customdefender #onlyinmn
Taking Bertha out for a quick splash around in the rain to see how close we are to releasing her into the wild.
#defender #landroverdefender #landrover #defender90 #defender110 #defender130 #bishoprook #lifeofadventure #4x4 #defenderrestoration #overland #boxycar #landroverseries #classiccar
Even the deer are coming out of the wilderness to check out the Defender.
#defender #landroverdefender #landrover #defender90 #defender110 #defender130 #bishoprook #lifeofadventure #4x4 #defenderrestoration #overland #boxycar #landroverseries #classiccar
The complete package. Not overdone. Not over built.
#defender #landroverdefender #landrover #defender90 #defender110 #defender130 #bishoprook #lifeofadventure #4x4 #defenderrestoration #overland #boxycar #landroverseries #classiccar
From the archives: This impromptu photos session was taken one day when we drove Sopris from our Minneapolis workshop to our Renville workshop (about 100 miles away) to deliver parts.
About 45 miles down the road, we started smelling overheating and burning.
She wasn`t driving as smoothly as she had the first part of the trip. We pulled over to investigate, but there were no apparent signs - just a feeling of something wrong.
We should note that this is our workshop truck, and we only sometimes look after them as we should. Seems like she had a transfer case leak, and nobody noticed, as we had only ever taken her on short trips for parts, lunch, or a random trip around the nearby lake for some fresh air.
On this day, the extra heat from the long trip caused the dry transfer case to fight with one of the bearings.
A testament to their durability, we were able to limp her back to the workshop via backroads (stopping every so often to let it cool down and take photos).
We made it all the way back to the workshop before the transfer case finally gave out. When we opened it up, a pile of shiny bearing parts fell onto the ground.
Two lessons here:
1. Perform essential maintenance on your Defenders
2. Even when broken, they won`t leave you stranded
#defender #landrover #landroverdefender #defender90 #defenderrestoration #defenderlife #defenderlifestyle
Michael brought Fergus by to visit today. It’s fun when we get to see all the evolving changes and customizations come together over time - even after they leave the workshop. We still have a few more surprises to come on this one.
#defender #landroverdefender #landrover #defender90 #defender110 #defender130 #bishoprook #lifeofadventure #4x4 #defenderrestoration #overland #boxycar #landroverseries #classiccar
Our Defender sourcing approach introduces us to a variety of amazing people where we get to share in the history of their adventures with the Land Rover.
We prefer to source directly from the owners rather than through brokers, dealers, or other trade professionals. Not only does it eliminate unnecessary markup and incentives to hide things on the Defender, but it also gives us the chance to meet the people who took care of these vehicles before entrusting us with the preservation of its legacy.
Here are a few photos from our recent Land Rover Defender 110 2.8i (Petrol) we took in for preservation.
If you’re not familiar with this engine package in a Landy, you might be surprised. When BMW owned the company they discovered that their online 6-cylinder petrol engine fit nicely inside the engine bay. The result was a very smooth running, fuel efficient Defender am that performed just as well on the highways as it did in the bush.
She’s undergoing a much-needed refurbishment, but is currently available for sale/adoption for someone looking for a great Defender.
#defender #landroverdefender #landrover #defender90 #defender110 #defender130 #bishoprook #lifeofadventure #4x4 #defenderrestoration #overland #boxycar #landroverseries #classiccar
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Recent Journal Entries
- Unveiling the Dressed-Up Pig: Deception in Vintage Land Rover Defender Online SalesA
- Vintage Land Rover Defender: A Classic Daily Driver With Timeless Appeal
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