OUT OF OFFICE

Travel down Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, and you’ll find the home of Populus Select, a leading Executive Search firm in the Science, Sustainable Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing sectors.

Heading up the business is founder and managing director Sim Hall, who, along with a passion for delivering tailored recruitment solutions, has been working on another creative project behind the scenes.

Swapping Populus Select’s offices for the garage, Sim has been working on the restoration of a Land Rover Defender - a project also taken on by Forum chairman James Robson during the 2020 lockdown.

James said, “The full rebuild of my Defender started on the 18th February 2020, just before the first lockdown hit us all. The rebuild took until the 5th June with over 400 hours being dedicated to it which would not have been possible had it not been for the pandemic. Under “normal” circumstances working weekends I would have expected it to take at least 12 months.

“I started the rebuild of my 1996 Defender 300tdi 90 because the chassis had reached the end of its economic and safe life. Fortunately, as the vehicles have a good intrinsic value there are several manufactures of galvanised replacement chassis’. They aren’t cheap (£2,000) so you have to be sure it’s an undertaking you are going to see all the way through.”

Inspired by James’ restoration of his Land Rover Defender, Sim took the plunge and invested in his own.

Sim said, “I first learned to drive in a Land Rover on my Uncle’s farm near Ripon aged 10 and since leaving the Army, where I drove one daily for years, I have always hankered for one.

“In June this year, after many months of research including consulting James after following his successful rebuild project during lockdown and casting my own mind back to my earlier Army days, I invested in a 2005 Defender TD5. Green naturally!

“James wisely advised the most important aspect to get right on the selection of the right Defender was to find one with a great chassis and engine. This would alleviate a great deal of pain and cost in the renovation.”

While both Defenders had great frames and structure, they both needed a thorough analysis before any major work started.

Reflecting on his restoration, James noted, “The first priority for me was to strip down the car to make a thorough assessment of the condition of the other major parts. Due to the restricted opening of some of the suppliers due to the lockdown it was important to get parts on order as soon as possible.

“The paint was left until near the end and I found a local paint shop who were prepared to take the panels in kit form.”

Sim said, “Even though I was expecting the steering to be a little ‘vague’, when I first drove it was like steering a boat! And unsafe. So that was the first job to get the steering a little more positive.

“This involved renewing all the steering components under the Defender; track rod, track rod ends, steering arm, wheels and tyres and basics like getting the tyre pressures set right. Happy to say that’s all completed and it drives like a dream.” Although both Defenders are now road safe, Sim and James note that the restoration of Defenders presents its own unique challenges.

Sim commented, “Mine has been used, since new, as a work horse on a farm and is rather agricultural at the moment. There’s plenty of evidence of this but it means things are seized and clogged up with mud and corrosion. Perhaps the most challenging aspect though is it being off the road while we work on it!”

James added, “Deciding how far to go with the restoration was the most challenging part. I didn’t want a concours vehicle but I wasn’t going to spend all this time and then scrimp on finishing touches.”

But the hard work has all been worth it. As James notes, his Defender passed its MOT last December without a single advisory - “not bad for a 25-year-old vehicle!”.

And while James took on the car restoration on his own, he does encourage anyone thinking of beginning similar projects to speak to those with experience.

“If you aren’t familiar with the vehicle you are thinking of restoring talk to club members and others who have donethe job.”

With his Defender restoration now complete, James is supporting Sim with his own.

Reflecting on the support he’s received from James so far, Sim said, “There were several things that needed immediate attention, which James has been generous with his time and advice. But I’ve given myself until November this year to get the vehicle in a safe and usable condition with much of the bodywork complete.”

Despite the long road ahead to get the Defender back in a safe working condition, Sim refuses to give in. Instead, he’s adamant to continue working on the project.

Sim said, “Last week I spoke with the guy who reluctantly sold me the Defender. He told me a couple of his friends had contacted him to ask if he had sold the vehicle as they had seen a guy driving it round Darlington with a permanent smile on his face!

Sim continued, “If you are going to buy one, get it now. Prices for original shaped Defender and series models are increasing all the time and the market is very active. And spend a little more on a good chassis and engine.”

For James, his next project takes him back to the garage. He said, “My next project is building a new double garage, with a 4-post car ramp and room for the Defender and my 1965 Triumph TR4-A.”

And for Sim, while his passion and enthusiasm for the restoration is clear, it’s not shared by everyone. His next project, he notes, will be one based on the art of persuasion.

“Convincing my wife that the budget I’ve worked out to renovate the Defender is money well spent and an investment is my next goal! Then I can get to work on the interior.”