Land Rover

Well, it's Thomas' 5th Birthday tommorow, and of course what every five year old boy needs is .......a Land Rover. Not a real one of course, that would be silly, he'd never reach the pedals. So I bought some paper plans to build a working model from scratch. Then I found out it was going to cost a small fortune to buy the wheels, axles etc.........or was it? I had a cunning and devious plan, as I figured that the wheels of one of those disabled peoples buggies that the elderly use would be about the right size. Hmmm! Rather than steal a pensioners buggy from under them, I browsed on EBAY and found a non runner for just £34. Some quick measurements and hey, the frame ws the right track, just too short. Angle grinder, welder, new box section - Hey Presto, new chassis. The old mobilty car had a steering tiller, rather than a steering wheel, so I begged an old Reliant Robin Steering wheel and column from BELL TRUCK SERVICES of WODDMANSY (many Thanks Robin!) and "Uncle" Graeme (see pictures below) assisted in maunufacturing new track control rods, whilst an old socket set provided a UJ for the modified steering rack. With the body temporarily fitted the brakes cleaned and tested and the lights transfered fom the old scooter, with new trailer lights for the rear it was time for a test run, Uncle Graeme taking the jockey seat.

Left, What we started with, and old 1980's BATRICAR invalid carriage/OAP scooter, a non runner bought off eBAY for £34.

Left, Thomas at the wheel. Whilst not a true Land Rover replica, it is instantly recognisable, and in any case just what is a "standard" Land Rover? They made so many variations, this would reasonaby pass as a factory product.

Now it just needs final painting, the grille fitting to the bonet, the windscreen and surround fitting and some minor fettling.

It has forward and reverse gears, but is rear wheel drive only, the original motor driving the rear axle by a chain and sprocket, hence the high seating position - the motor is huge and sits under the seat. Although not timed and tested I reckon top speed with the driver and adult supervisor on board to be around 12 mph, (A scale speed of about 60 mph!) and there is so much toruqe at start up that it wll pull wheelies! Braking is by a disc on the rear axle. The turn signals work as do the lights, although there are no brake lights yet, and there is a working horn too.

We have a disused railway line nearby where some of our tests have been completed off road where the "Crosslander" performed very well - right up to the mark 1 steering linkage breaking. The reinforced Mark 2 steering system is much stronger and also prevents going "over centre" which is what did for the first one - you could turn it roght through the arc of operation so that eventually you could turn roght but be steering leftand vice versa - not anymore, the redesigned system works just like the real thing.

Project cost is probably around £200 all in, this beng the cost of the plans, the timber and plywood, paint, lights (we reused the front lights from the BATRICAR but had to buy new for the rear), perspex for the windscreen, various steel stock and offcuts, aluminium frame and offcuts, aplsu the new Leisure battery and the BATRICAR itself. We started the build in June and have finished (almost) in January, although work has prevented regular time being spent on the car. It probably represents about 200 hours work, although this could be done a lot quicker, I took my time as I wanted to involve Young Thomas as much as I could in th build - what better than to be able to boast at 5 Years old that you helped your dad build a car!

So far as the value of the car goes, well it's not for sale and won;t be for a long time as Thomas and I are going to have fun in it for some time to come, but I guess if some body offerred £1000 I might be tempted, but then I know I'd just end up building another, bigger, better, stronger (four wheel drive?) version anyway.