Brian

I was startled to read about this, but glad you are well and on the mend. Best wishes.

Geoff, my comment wasn't too serious. I also get about 18-19 mpg on motorway runs really, but overall, the thirstiest new Defender is still like an economy car compared to my Range Rover, in the same conditions. I get only about 12 - 13 mpg around town. 🙂

Nevertheless, if I could get that level of economy, even on motorway cruising, in my 1990 Range Rover 3.9 I would be delighted.

The best and easiest place to start will be with a company specialising in vehicle registrations. I use Qnomore and have done for the last decade or so, for renewing annual vehicle licence and change of ownerships. Their fees are reasonable and certainly worth paying to avoid standing in a queue at the traffic dept. https://qnomore.co.za/ The police clearance certificate is required for a vehicle exported from the SACU countries and is required at the port of entry into whichever country the vehicle enters when exiting the SACU area. It is therefore not something that is used when exiting South Africa necessarily. It is not needed, for example to cross into Botswana, Namibia or Swaziland, whether for tourism or export, nor will it be asked for to exit South Africa. After traversing those countries, e.g. through Botswana and crossing into Zimbabwe, you will need a temporary import permit on the Zimbabwe side for tourism or the clearance certificate from the SA police if exporting to that country. In fact, customs officials in countries bordering SACU countries have been illegally demanding a clearance certificate from South African tourists, even when visiting on a temporary import permit as issued at the border for tourism. This is an opportunity for some "pocket money" to get around the immediate need to continue the journey. I have not heard of anyone having any issues with a clearance certificate when exiting South Africa, although it will likely be required if presenting export documents to be stamped or retained. Since you intend driving, you will be well advised to obtain the police clearance certificate anyway. It avoids the corruption when leaving the SACU area and you will have it with you on arrival in UK anyway. I would ask Qnomore if they can handle the export documentation to be forwarded to you in UK after you have driven out of South Africa and continue the journey entirely on the South African registration documents. The border crossings might just be a bit easier.

Remember to get a police clearance certificate, in addition to all the other formal registration documents. You'll need it at UK customs. Get it from the nearest police station in SA. Only needed for exporting the vehicle.

Here's a bit more film from the Namibia trip, still embargoed until the 25th so you won't see a lot more yet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_lurlahcE&feature=youtu.be

😉

Some have beeen saying "they should at least go open source on the computers". Well, JLR did that in 2012, I remember the press release at the time and was surprised nobody else seemed to notice it, ot perhaps didn't understand. Now JLR are seen as one of the leaders in this part of the industry and participate in the working groups. Linux has emerged as the basis for all the development. There are regular adverts for more JLR Linux software specialists all the time over the last decade. Google it and see for yourselves. Here's one link I thought would be interesting : https://www.siliconrepublic.com/gear/linux-makes-a-big-bet-on-cars-of-the-future-deals-with-jaguar-land-rover-toyota-and-nissan Of course, the actual code used will always be proprietary, but the open source initiatives across the industry will, inevitably, lead to more and better third party tools. Yes, even some in blue boxes that might not work quite as well as they should.

Thank you gentlemen !

Hi, can anyone please tell me the correct paint code for this colour, as also used on the special edition that also appeared on the final one off the line year before last ? A friend in Johannesburg wants to match it to use on his IIA 109 station wagon.

Funny how that pile of **** looks just like the Nomad that went into production for a short time down. Have a look here : http://www.carmag.co.za/road_test/from-the-archives-1976-chevrolet-nomad/

Land Rover have puled out of their "supported partner" deal in Madagascar, due to low current and expected sales volumes. They now advise individual owners to contact Land Rover South Africa for assistance. Should anyone need such assistance, I would recommend Warren or Storm at Landynet to be a quicker and more dependable service from here, as they are geared up for it. You can find them with Google, or ask and I'll post details here. Clearly a Land Rover, especially a 2nd hand one, is not going to be a great choice for a dependable every day vehicle in such circumstances, although Series, Defenders and Discovery 1 & 2 are well up to the rugged use in that country. Quite frankly, the only other choice for me would be a Toyota, but you will not get an African spec commercial type Landcruiser in Europe. Only choice would be a Hiluxe DC and get the petrol engine for ease of servicing.. As said above, you'll have a better choice locally, but at higher prices.

I see you now have 10000 supporters ! Congratulations !

I remember the launch in 1970, I was just about to leave for Africa, where I've been ever since. During 1971 they started to appear on roads around Lagos and I had the opportunity to drive a few, on and off road. They all had rubber mats on the metal floors, like the SIIAs we had in our fleet. Except the mats were standard in the Range Rover :-) I didn't see one with carpets until a couple of years later.

I have tried a few in different configurations, including two tents, for 4 people. Here is my favourite mounting solution for two tents in the picture. Note that these Eezi Awn tents are the same at each end, so whilst we used the end by the ladder for entry and exit, the other end has the same zip doors and insect netting. In other words, easy access from one tent to the other, in the middle of the the roof, without danger of falling off the side, with reasonable care. It's a fair bit of weight on the roof and you notice it in the handling. OK with awareness though. It's on the limit for Land Rover's top expedition roof load.