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Phil and I have been restoring a Jeep since mid 1996 for the Peking to Paris Rally that starts in September 1997.
This Jeep will have all the improvements we have built into the original MB as well as many others we think are needed for the event. In general, if we can put 2 of anything where 1 will do then we have done it, that includes shock absorbers, fuel tanks, fuel pumps, coils, electric fans, fan belts, brake master cyclinders, sparewheels, extra fuel cans and more. We have kept a photgraphic record of progress. Here are a few of the restoration stages completed so far:
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This is what the Jeep MB we are using today looks like from the outside.
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And from the inside. Note the extras for Rally navigation, the Halda distance measuring device and velcropads for the watches and clocks.
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Initial rolling chassis after the body tub and engine have been removed.
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Chassis cleaned up and the machine gun mounting removed.
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Body tub being lengthened to fit the modified chassis.
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Chassis after boxing and strengthening, with secret compartments and silver topcoat. Body tub behind is still in undercoat.
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Rebuilt engine, gearbox and transfer box. Note the three gearlevers: 3 speed box, four wheel drive and low range.
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Body tub welded to the chassis, instrument holes, and floor panel opening for quick access to the gearbox / propshaft area.
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Mods for integral jack, twin spare wheels and twin Jerry cans.
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Roll bar, we thought this was a needed safety item after our roll on the Targa Rusticana Rally last year.
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Lockable rear storage section. I mean we are going across India.
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Its beginning to look like a Jeep again.
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Do you like the blue? We thought US army drab paint was inappropriate for crossing Parkistan and Iran.
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Plenty of ground clearance. We will need it for rough roads and 13 river crossings in one day alone in Nepal.
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We both sit on the fuel tanks. These will be boxed in for safety.
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Plenty of gauges, no altimeter yet. The highest road we will use is 17,400 feet in Tibet.
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The front wings and grill have been modified so they can be quickly removed to provide plenty of engine access.
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Two fuel tanks plus two Jerry cans gives us range of about 450 miles, although we don't know what the MPG will be in the mountains with a lot of low gear work.
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Wireing completed and ready for shake down.
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First shake down event was the Coronation Rally in Wales. Main problem was brakes. They pulled right and had no stopping power.
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Next event was the Astra Stages. Phil rebuilt the brakes with new linings; no better. The Jeep ended up in a ditch on its side. Both occupants were unharmed.
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Third event was the Leukaemia Stages. This is a tarmac rally near Cardiff. A half hour after this picture was taken the front near side brake shoe disintegrated and we went upside down.
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The Roll Bar took most of the impact although a number of bits got bent. As for the occupants =>
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MOTOR SPORT IS DANGEROUS!!! Phil got his left hand trapped under the windscreen as we went inverted. He lost half of his two middle fingers on his left hand and crushed the other two.
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While Phil is in hospital recovering, the Jeep goes back to the workshop for repair. Its straight again now but has a bit of filler here and there.
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With a lot of difficulty we find disk brakes for all 4 wheels and get them fitted.
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Back on the road again and off to Brooklands for the final drivers briefing and scrutinering.
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Just collected from the trimmers after the hood has been fitted. Nice piece of work that should keep out the Tibetan winds. The front grill is also painted yellow for better visibility to oncomming traffic.
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Lots of windows although we hope to run for most of the way with the side screens and back rolled up.
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