It used to be a shiny red fire engine, now a 1964 Land Rover Series 11A is being restored to its former glory with the help of Adrian Fell of AJF Motor Engineers.
Many of you will know Adrian and his garage AJF Motor Engineers which has been based at the Park for over 24 years, and you might also be aware of Adrian’s love of British Classic cars. This passion has been extended to the restoration of an original Hazell Watson and Viney Ltd old Land Rover Fire Engine, which is now based here at Westcott!
Adrian’s dad maintained this long-lost piece of local history which used to belong to Aylesbury Printers where he worked and was also one of the 16 part-time firemen. The Aylesbury Printers closed in 1995 and the Land Rover disappeared but Adrian tracked the vehicle down and purchased it via auction.
Part of the restoration has involved Adrian removing the original fire pump from the fire engine which he hopes to rebuild so that it can be used again. It retains its original tyres, the electrics are now fixed, wheels refurbished, and it has been MOT’d for the first time in around 25 years.
Adrian has managed to track down five of the original helmets with the names of the officers inscribed and the fire engine has successfully passed an inspection by the Series 11 club to retain its original number plate.
The fire engine which has only covered 3,600 miles from new was given its public debut at last year’s Chiltern Hills Vintage Rally, which Adrian is a member of and which he ran with the late Bob Reading. The fire engine also made an appearance at Bob’s funeral in February along with a convoy of classic cars.
We hope to see Adrian and his fully restored land rover fire engine in all its historical glory later on in the year.
