1948 Original Equipment Blog - Original Equipment Blog

It’s a wonderful world

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 07:25:00 GMT

Put aside politics, race, immigration and prejudice and let's understand the world we live in. We can't return to the 1950s and, you know, they were not the Good Old Days, life was just as tough but we did not demand or expect as much.

Yesterday I found my Hotmail account had been hacked. I phoned the help number and went through to a call centre in India. They could not have been more helpful and spoke perfect English. They said I needed added security on my email account which I agreed to purchase. An engineer phoned me back and by his accent I assumed he was also in India. He was very straightforward and once again very polite. He fixed everything, restored all my email which had been wiped by the Hacker. An excellent job was completed, I now had security on my email account and enhanced security on my computer, I was very happy.

I asked the engineer where he was based as I had never heard of his company's name. "Oh, in California" he replied "but when you call us, we are open 24 hours per day so you could just as easily be routed to our office in Australia or anywhere in the world". He then told me his company's head office was in Germany.

We are a global community and to think otherwise is folly. We need the rest of the world and they need us. Isolationism and protectionism is not an answer. We need to embrace others. I fully accept my prejudice at overseas call centres but I realise my prejudice is misplaced - it should be against bad call centres regardless of where they are placed. My experience yesterday taught me this very lesson.

Great service is great service no matter where it comes from and I was glad to have the whole world watching my back.

A Moment's Thought

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:01:00 GMT

I had no intention of watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics but like the rest of the nation I got caught up in the fever. I think in truth I got so fed up with the press knocking everything about the Olympics such as the traffic, tickets and cost, that belligerently I decided I would openly support the entire event.

Not a good reason I admit, but why is it the media want to attack everything that is Great about Britain and always look at the negative no matter how small?

Well I have to take my hat off to one Mr D. Boyle as I thought the ceremony was just fantastic. Not a corny or jingoistic portrayal of Empires lost with marching bands and London buses but a study of this country's success and humour.

One part that has been little reported, (which I think should have been), was the stunning performance by Emeli Sande. Her rendition of 'Abide With Me', totally unaccompanied, was haunting and breathtaking. I will always remember it.

Music is one of our greatest gifts to the world and it shone on a night of stars. This set me thinking about songs and their words. I will not bore you with how I got there but I ended up with Bob Dylan and 'Blowin’ in the wind'.

I have heard the song hundreds of times and, in the privacy of my own car, have been known to sing along. Unfortunately I had never studied the words or their meaning. Bob Dylan has to have been one of the world’s most gifted song writers. The sadness is that his 1962 words are perhaps even truer today than they have ever been.

As I looked up the lyrics on Google and then read them for the first time I started to feel what Dylan must have felt some fifty years ago. I thought of Syria, Iraq, Bankers, Media Moguls, Greedy Politicians of all Parties and all Countries - even the financial scandals that beset the greatest sporting events in the world.

Take a few moments out from a hectic life and enjoy Dylan’s mastery: -

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Yes, how many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Yes, how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Gunther Holtorf's 23-year road trip

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:02:00 GMT

Back in 1989, as the Berlin Wall fell, Gunther Holtorf and his wife Christine set out on what was meant to be an 18-month tour of Africa in their Mercedes Benz G Wagen. Now, with more than 800,000km (500,000 miles) on the clock, Gunther is still going!

The German former airline executive has travelled the equivalent of 20 times around the planet in the vehicle - which he calls Otto. He says he has never had a serious breakdown. Recently in Vietnam, Canadian-born photographer David Lemke joined Gunther on one section of his epic journey.

Take a look at his photographic journey at www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18910560 you will not be disappointed it is well worth a look. He is indisputably one of the worlds greatest travellers.

That’s Entertainment

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:01:00 GMT

I went into Monmouth last week where they have a superb little theatre and cinema called The Savoy.

The occasion was an impulse when I heard that Henry Blofeld (of Test Match Special fame) was to speak about his life. It was a most enjoyable evening as he went from one story to the next with great clarity and timing. He is clearly a very accomplished speaker, very funny to boot and not just about cricket.

I was not aware that, to quote him, 'I was born with a very large silver spoon in my mouth'. He has a very privileged background and has rolled from lunch with Ian Fleming to drinks with HM The Queen Mum and dinner with Noel Coward. Those of you knowledgeable on Ian Fleming and his alter ego Mr James Bond will be pleased to know that it was this very Blofeld family that gave their name to Ernst Stavro Blofeld - the arch villain and Bond’s rival.

The whole episode set me thinking of a raconteur who could deliver an evening’s entertainment at a Land Rover Show. No easy task when you look at the diversity of the attendees! For too long there has been no imagination from Show Organisers and the same old formats are rolled out. So let me hear your suggestions as to what would make good entertainment for a summer show. Now for decency sake I must add the rider that it needs to be family friendly.

My starter for ten is a number of things rather than the traditional loud band and beer tent. I find I want to talk with friends and a number of small sets with breaks in between works for me. There is no doubt that Henry Blofeld would go down well because of the infectious laughter he generates. I am also a fan of acoustic sets with a good vocalist.

So what are your thoughts? Please email me with your ideas to products@pmlgb.com

Craddock's Auction

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:30:00 GMT

It was a strange collection of Land Rovers that was amassed in Norway. John Craddock liberated them and last weekend auctioned them off. I say strange because of the number of Fire Engines and in particular Forward Control Fire Engines. As the proud owner of a Forward Control 2A Fire Engine I thought I had a rare beast until this lot appeared on the scene!

It was good to see another Tickford emerge but the size of the restoration required means it needs someone with very deep pockets. It also needs the expertise of a Ken Wheelwright to make sure it remains authentic.

There will be a full report on the auction in next month's LRO magazine but the star of the event was the superb tracked Cuthbertson which sold for around £46,000 to a German bidder. If only I had won more than £10 on the previous week's lottery!

What's your occupation?

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:16:00 GMT

I had to fill in a form recently and paused at Occupation; it set me thinking. Our mate Steve is a Male Model. Well, I can hear the sniggers now. The question is how does he put up with the sniggers or does he just say he works in media? I must ask him next time we meet. I can’t imagine putting 'Occupation – Male Model' on all official forms. He gave some builders at our office something to talk about when we had a recent photo shoot. One builder nudged the other and whispered 'II’ve seen him on the telly in an ear wax advert'.

The truth is he is a good northern lad, salt of the earth and, as we can vouch, a great travel and dinner companion. His family are very proud of his appearances on various TV advertisements and even a cameo role in Coronation Street. His work takes him all over the world and as an expert motorcycle rider he has had the enviable job of working with Harley Davidson on many occasions. Who would not want to ride V Rods, Roadsters and Fat Boys and get paid for it?

Steve has been in the business a long time and is a real professional. His life is early starts and long days with a lot of down time between shots. It is not easy but his range of impressions such as Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the obligatory James Bond keep everyone on set with a smile on their face. Steve has worked for many great fashion names as well as 1948 Original Equipment. He is a good friend of our photographer Neil Emmerson and together they make a great team. You can see Steve in pictures within our Gallery section.

What's yours called?

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 06:35:00 GMT

Many of us give names to our Land Rovers, some not so flattering. We have Tommy our 1948 Series One, Monty the 1950 Tickford Station Wagon, Winston the 1958 (last of the Series Ones) a Civil Defence vehicle and Red a Military Police 109 to name but a few.

How do names come about? Well its probably a very personal thing best not discussed in public. Some pick girls names and refer to them as 'Her or She'. Ours for some inexplicable reason are very definitely male and you may have spotted a WWII theme emerging.

We have heard of Carlos, Git, Jessie, Rat, Gertie, AA (it seems it may be easy to work out how this one got its name), Rosie and the list goes on. If you have an unusual name and a good story as to why send us a note and a picture and we will see that you are mentioned in despatches.

One of the ones we like most is 'Plug Hole', again any Land Rover owner can probably guess why it was christened thus!

It's Showtime!

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 12:22:00 GMT

We have bought a new trailer which, with a following wind, will form part of our stand at shows later this year. It needs quite a bit of work and there is the rub. We need another two days each week to get these extra jobs completed. The more we try to simplify our lifestyles the busier we seem to be! We have a poly-tunnel arriving in a couple of weeks as part of our goal is to grow our own fruit and veg. This necessitates a serious amount of landscaping, power and water and the building of raised beds. All to be finished before the Dusfold Weekend!

Still, back to the trailer, structurally it is fine and it is mainly the interior that needs work. I saw it advertised on eBay and it had been used as transport for a Drag Racer. The sellers were a great Swedish guy and his wife who shared a passion for cars in general as well as racing. He even confessed (out of her earshot) that she was pretty good on the spanners. Obviously, a round trip I thought might take about 80 minutes max. took the best part of four hours as we chewed the cud and looked at all their various automotive projects over some excellent filter coffee.

The trailer is back at base and in the work shop. We are not taking any bets at which show it makes its debut. We still have to do quite a bit of work on the Brockhouse (I still need to get D shaped tail lights and one of those reflective period 'T' signs) so we are not short of a job or two.

The moral of the story is always give the job to the busiest person you know - it will get done. Somehow we all seem to muddle through. And as my uncle always said “If you do find a girl good on the spanners and she has her own set of drainage rods - marry her!” No, I never saw the connection either.

Our obsession with fame - and Simon's back

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 08:29:00 GMT

What is it about the X-Factor and now Britain’s Got Talent that brings out the best and the worst in us? I hate the programmes but am drawn to them like a moth to a flame. The early auditions are by far the best. I have no idea how some mothers, family members and friends tell hopefuls “That was really good, you should audition”.

I am blunt. Wake up! - you can’t sing, dance, juggle or do anything else that could even remotely be classed as entertainment. I am sure some know they are bad and just want the 30 seconds of fame - they are also happy to make idiots of themselves. The rest who storm out shouting, “I'm gutted, what does he know any way. I will be a star”, need to consider the facts. They really can’t entertain and Simon Cowell is a very rich man with a highly successful management company. For me it really is simple.

Which brings me to my point. I have watched dancers (some almost naked), fire eaters, magicians, tumblers, all manner of domestic and exotic animals, bell ringers, singers, dubious instrumentalists, hula hoops (no not that sort), even a chocolate eater and one man who just seems to have bulging eyes. The surprise is no one and I repeat no one seems to have done anything with a Land Rover. Now come on!

There are so many weird and wonderful Land Rover enthusiasts - but not one has formed a stage act and sought the Hoff’s and Simon’s approval.

Now this is a serious challenge to all you clubs and individuals - there must be life in the universe. I would rather see twenty bearded men eat a Series One than some of the rubbish that seems to crave stardom. What about piston juggling? or part number identification of LHD export fire engines from 1948 to 1967? You know who you are, let’s have some innovative thought and show them that Land Rover enthusiasts really do have talent!

It's worth being controversial.

Thu, 19 May 2011 13:44:00 GMT

When asked what car you would buy if you won the lottery takes some thinking about. Especially when told the second rule - you can have only one and it has to be the only mode of transport you own! It did not take me long to rationalise the whole thing. I have always loved those lateral thinking puzzles that seem impossible to solve.

I answered “That’s easy, I don’t need to buy one because I already have it”. The questioner was hoping to make people think. What good would a super car be for taking the kids to school or going to Travis Perkins? Is a People Carrier or a Cross Over the best solution? Hard top or Convertible?

My decision was based upon the fact that with my lottery win I could hire taxis, and get most things delivered. (There are no trains or buses in rural England contrary to what some urban politicians would have you believe). Fast sports cars would see me lose my licence.

The answer was stunningly simple. What gives everyone the biggest grin from ear to ear? A very simple 1948 Series 1 Land Rover:- without hood or sticks and the windscreen folded flat. I defy anyone to drive one on a summer’s day on an open country lane at 35mph and not grin. Drive into town and park in the High Street and you will be surrounded by doey eyed admirers. Nostalgia is not dead, just thriving in the Shires.

P.S. An open top Series 1 is pretty good in the snow as well.

Minerva's temptation

Mon, 16 May 2011 06:17:00 GMT

We have heard on the grapevine that one of our all time long standing customers has bought yet another Minerva. This would not be unusual if they owned only one or two already. It would not be unusual if they were quite common vehicles with parts readily available and were not prone to rusting.
Given they are rare and rust - to have one for every day of the week is cause for concern in medical circles. Some people just never learn. We liken it to rescuing cats or donkeys - once you start…….
But then again the world is mad apart from thee and me.