Old School Hunting Vehicle

[JustinC]

Hello Fellow Hunters

How our equipment and vehicles have evolved over the years!? Who would think about hunting dangerous game in the Zambezi Valley with this old boy but My Grand Father loaded many a Buff in the back with minimal hassle during the 1960's!

I'm thinking that the Land Rover enthusiasts might appreciate this thread...

Please feel free to share any other photos you might have of old equipment or vehicles.

 

[enysse]

Looks like a tough vehicle to me, ready to go anywhere.

 

[JustinC]

Looks like a tough vehicle to me, ready to go anywhere.

Probably, will just take a while to get there.

Regards

 

[enysse]

Think of what they could do with that vehicle now with electric winches.

 

[Royal27]

That is just flat footed cool.... I'm going to have to see if I can find a picture of the old Willys Jeep we had on the family ranch when I was a kid. It wasn't just a hunting vehicle, but it sure was cool!

 

[JustinC]

That is just flat footed cool.... I'm going to have to see if I can find a picture of the old Willys Jeep we had on the family ranch when I was a kid. It wasn't just a hunting vehicle, but it sure was cool!

I hope you manage to find that photo!

 

[TokkieM]

Sure does remind me of the sharp nose Willy's wagon my Dad had when we were kids. Went anywere in that think, but my mother hated it

 

[richteb]

I think the way the car makers are taking the 4wd out of 4x4 vehicles and making them all soft roaders I think it will not be long before the "old" stuff will start to be resurrected to service real off road users. Old Land Rovers, Toyota Fj40's, 55, 70, 60 will be worth gold if you have one stashed in a shed somewhere.

 

[PeteG]

I think the way the car makers are taking the 4wd out of 4x4 vehicles and making them all soft roaders I think it will not be long before the "old" stuff will start to be resurrected to service real off road users. Old Land Rovers, Toyota Fj40's, 55, 70, 60 will be worth gold if you have one stashed in a shed somewhere.

I think you are right, there is still a large need for strong off road vehicles and that will never change.
A simple strong off road capable vehicle is a necessity in rural africa.

This is a pic my mother found, probably taken about 35 years ago, my old man on a hunting trip, had to crop the pic, he has a habit of wandering about in his underwear!

 

[ChrisT]

When we bought our ranch 8 years ago this old Land Rover was standing in one of the car ports...

I said to the former owner I'll buy the property if the Land Rover came with it and he agreed...

Today she is a proud member of our "fleet" that takes me anywhere.

 

[bluey]

ha ha ha I did the same , but it was a pool table

 

[richteb]

When we bought our ranch 8 years ago this old Land Rover was standing in one of the car ports...

I said to the former owner I'll buy the property if the Land Rover came with it and he agreed...

Today she is a proud member of our "fleet" that takes me anywhere.

lol...looking at the new Land Rovers not much has changed, at least on the outside.

 

[ChrisT]

lol...looking at the new Land Rovers not much has changed, at least on the outside.

There is some interesting history behind this old girl...

I eventually found a mechanic who was willing to help me with the restoration work - some 2 years after I took ownership of my "new" wheels... He offered to help me with restoring the vehicle without any charge for his services. All I needed to do was to make sure there was enough Brandy on hand...

I thought this was a bargain - until I realized just how much Brandy my mechanic could consume... He was thirstier than the Chevy motor in the Landy! And by the time we had the Land Rover running I'd spent about $1K on spares and half as much on Brandy and Coke!

Decided to name the truck "Brandy" but eventually had to stall the restoration project as other things were keeping me busy so Brandy "retired" back to her old carport.

Some time later a friend came to visit and saw the Land Rover...

"I know that vehicle!" He said...

"Many years ago I borrowed it from its previous owner to go do a lion hunt..." And so followed a very interesting story about a lion hunt next to Kruger National Park in the days when the word: "canned hunting" didn't exist...

Long story short is that my friend ended up buying the Landy from me with the intention of finishing the restoration work...

In the process he had to buy three more Land Rovers - just for spare parts! But he got it running (sort of), gave it a new paint job and two years ago came to visit me with it...

For good reason of course! He knew I'd want it back and after several G&T's a deal was negotiated and Brandy was back where she belongs... On Sabrisa Ranch!

However...

The "full and final payment" did not occur when I gave my friend his check.

I've since spent a considerable amount of money to keep her up and running and continue doing so - much to the disgust of my wife who feels that these funds can be better spent on diamond rings and bracelets...

But no diamond ring or bracelet can equate to the pleasure I feel when I get behind the wheel of this old classic... Did I say "old"? Sorry Brandy!

 

[Sable123]

There is some interesting history behind this old girl...

I eventually found a mechanic who was willing to help me with the restoration work - some 2 years after I took ownership of my "new" wheels... He offered to help me with restoring the vehicle without any charge for his services. All I needed to do was to make sure there was enough Brandy on hand...

I thought this was a bargain - until I realized just how much Brandy my mechanic could consume... He was thirstier than the Chevy motor in the Landy! And by the time we had the Land Rover running I'd spent about $1K on spares and half as much on Brandy and Coke

Brilliant story!

 

[JustinC]

There is some interesting history behind this old girl...

I eventually found a mechanic who was willing to help me with the restoration work - some 2 years after I took ownership of my "new" wheels... He offered to help me with restoring the vehicle without any charge for his services. All I needed to do was to make sure there was enough Brandy on hand...

I thought this was a bargain - until I realized just how much Brandy my mechanic could consume... He was thirstier than the Chevy motor in the Landy! And by the time we had the Land Rover running I'd spent about $1K on spares and half as much on Brandy and Coke!

Decided to name the truck "Brandy" but eventually had to stall the restoration project as other things were keeping me busy so Brandy "retired" back to her old carport.

Some time later a friend came to visit and saw the Land Rover...

"I know that vehicle!" He said...

"Many years ago I borrowed it from its previous owner to go do a lion hunt..." And so followed a very interesting story about a lion hunt next to Kruger National Park in the days when the word: "canned hunting" didn't exist...

Long story short is that my friend ended up buying the Landy from me with the intention of finishing the restoration work...

In the process he had to buy three more Land Rovers - just for spare parts! But he got it running (sort of), gave it a new paint job and two years ago came to visit me with it...

For good reason of course! He knew I'd want it back and after several G&T's a deal was negotiated and Brandy was back where she belongs... On Sabrisa Ranch!

However...

The "full and final payment" did not occur when I gave my friend his check.

I've since spent a considerable amount of money to keep her up and running and continue doing so - much to the disgust of my wife who feels that these funds can be better spent on diamond rings and bracelets...

But no diamond ring or bracelet can equate to the pleasure I feel when I get behind the wheel of this old classic... Did I say "old"? Sorry Brandy!

Hi Chris,

Thanks for sharing! I was hoping that you would add a piece on your "Brandy".

Maybe Smurf and Brandy will meet one day!

Regards

 

[richteb]

Great story Chris, I did similar to a Toyota FJ55 wagon and ended up selling it many years ago. Reading your story makes me regret that some.

 

[gizmo]

Great looking trucks, no diaomond will ever lend as much satisfaction as ol Brandy. Ironically my wife's name is Brandi!

 

[JustinC]

A few more photos of old smurf.

 

[Wheels]

A few Landrover photos from 40-50 years ago. This is not meant to be about animals.....there just happens to be animals in the photos of the Landrovers. Not sure if it was the style to get the vehicle in the photos of the animals back then or if it just happened.

The Landrover in the top photo is special to me. It is the vehicle I learned to drive in. Dad said it had less power than a jeep. It was geared so the top end was apx. 45 mph as I recall. I dug many "deadman" to extricate her from the mire. If I recall correctly the most it carried at one time was two buff and a zebra plus people. That Landrover can also be seen in my avatar.

I used to set in a spare tire on the rack to spot game when we were hunting. Good memories are flooding back as I write this.

Hope you enjoy.

 

[JustinC]

View attachment 33994 View attachment 33995 View attachment 33996 View attachment 33997 View attachment 33993
A few Landrover photos from 40-50 years ago. This is not meant to be about animals.....there just happens to be animals in the photos of the Landrovers. Not sure if it was the style to get the vehicle in the photos of the animals back then or if it just happened.

The Landrover in the top photo is special to me. It is the vehicle I learned to drive in. Dad said it had less power than a jeep. It was geared so the top end was apx. 45 mph as I recall. I dug many "deadman" to extricate her from the mire. If I recall correctly the most it carried at one time was two buff and a zebra plus people. That Landrover can also be seen in my avatar.

I used to set in a spare tire on the rack to spot game when we were hunting. Good memories are flooding back as I write this.

Hope you enjoy.

Thanks Wheels, Awesome photos! I'm glad the vehicles were included in the trophy photos. I think it makes them more special to see them doing what they were built for! And the river crossing....! Tough stuff

My Dad has many fond memories of the vehicle.