Registration - R243 CMB

Chassis No. - SALLDHM67VA137694

M.O.T. - TBC

Odometer - 116,697

This 1998 Defender has spent its entire life with Cheshire Constabulary’s Vehicle Fleet Services and now presents an exciting opportunity for a Land Rover enthusiast to acquire a partially completed rolling chassis restoration along with what’s described as ‘a pallet full of parts’. ‘R243 CMB’ most recently saw service on the Rural Crime Team at Macclesfield, where it gained something of a social media following under the name of its alter ego ‘Monty’. In November 2021 Vehicle Fleet Services embarked on a refurbishment programme which morphed into a no expense spared, body-off restoration of the Defender. However, a heavy workload for the department means that ‘Monty’ is now being offered for sale - at No Reserve. It has already acquired a complete new galvanised chassis and a fully-restored body, with new bulkhead, wings, floor pans, doors, A posts and numerous other new panels. Prior to the restoration, and within recent years, the vehicle had already benefited from a new clutch, new cambelt, new injectors/glow plugs and a new viscous fan – we are assured that the vehicle ‘ran like a dream’, so no further engine repairs were required during the restoration work. All the steering and suspension has been carefully checked and replaced as necessary including new power steering pipes, bushes, shock absorbers and springs, plus many more components. The front hub seals were replaced and new flexible brake hoses and new rear discs and pads fitted. The body shell now requires full electrics, lights, trim, etc. and the brake pipes, cables, fuel tank and fuel lines still need fitting.

The biggest development in the original Land Rover’s history was the cessation of the Series line and its replacement with the Land Rover 90 and 110 models, later re-badged as Defender. This change was necessitated by the launch of the Land Rover Discovery, meaning the father of the range could no longer be called just a Land Rover – it too needed its own model name. The Discovery also brought a new engine to the party, the 200Tdi which, as fitted to the Defender, resulted in higher cruising speeds and more load-lugging torque. Gone now was the long-standing leaf spring suspension to be replaced by coils all round. Throughout the ‘90s, the model commenced the climb upmarket while remaining true to its roots.

In summary:

• A rare opportunity to acquire a partially completed no expense spared restoration project together with ‘a pallet of parts’
• One owner from new – the Cheshire Constabulary’s Vehicle Fleet Services
• A vehicle with a fascinating history, and offered at No Reserve