Range Rover pick-up or BR test locomotive?
Derby, Derbyshire, Autumn 1987
There are two particularly fascinating machines in this photograph; well, three if you’re the type who gets particularly captivated by beige Ford Escort MkIII 1.3 Ls. We’re at British Rail’s Railway Technical Centre in Derby with former Class 24 diesel locomotive, No 97 201 Experiment, in the background between test train duties. But for those who aren’t gricers, we suspect the Range Rover pick-up will be the main focus here. Is it a specialist conversion or a DIY job, we wonder?
What’s surrounding the Range Rover is somewhat more standard. The row nearest the camera contains a 1982 Fiat 127 Series 3, 1984 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.3 L, our afore-mentioned beige Escort from the same year, and a 1975 Escort MkII estate. Of the three cars with readable numberplates, the Fiat disappeared in 1995, the Vauxhall in 1994, but the Escort is apparently SORN, albeit without an MOT. Does it still exist, awaiting its revival?
Vauxhall favourite
Over on the left, the parked cars comprise a 1985 Volkswagen Passat B2, 1978 Renault 12, a further Cavalier MkII, Fiat Uno, and yet another MkII Cavalier; obviously a favourite among Derby BR employees. The oldest vehicle here is XXC 694, the grey Austin A35 by the fence. Happily, it’s still taxed, unlike the red 1980 Ford Escort MkII estate next door, which survived until 1992.
We don’t know if the Morris Minor Traveller in front of the Range Rover is still around, but judging by the tired-looking wood and rust streaks around the bottom of the door, our money’s on it not making it through.
When I’m 64
Born in 1958, XXC 694 is still taxed today, 65 years later. If you own this little Austin, do let us know. We’d love to know how it’s doing after all that time.
Range Rover riddle
The 1983 James Bond film, Octopussy, featured a Rapport Huntsman pick-up conversion of a Range Rover, albeit with seats in the rear. But who built this one?
High five
A five-speed manual gearbox was a new option in the Series 3 Fiat 127; there just hadn’t been
