SERIES 1, ISSUE 7
SHOP NOTES
What’s in the Bay This Week?
Newer Ninety In For Mods
A newer Land Rover Defender 90 rolled into the shop this week, freshly purchased and in for a proper once-over before a few thoughtful modifications. On the service side, we’re starting with fresh brakes and new tires.
From there, we’ll be adding red brake callipers, wide fender flares, and blacking out the front and rear bumpers to give the truck a more planted, aggressive stance.
We’ve developed a real appreciation for the new D90. The shorter wheelbase gives it a different character. Tighter and more composed than its longer brother. When they’re set up well, they strike a balance between modern capability and something that still feels engaging to drive.
‘Discovery’-ing A Water Leak
A Land Rover Discovery is in the shop this week, and like a lot of these stories, it started with water.
What looked at first like a single issue quickly revealed itself as something more pervasive. Moisture had made its way into the lower cabin, collecting in connectors along the floor console, reaching the amplifier and screen control modules, and working its way into the kick panel. One connector in particular took the brunt of it, requiring pin repair on both sides. From there, it became a process of methodically working through the truck, drying what could be saved, identifying what couldn’t, and carefully bringing systems back online.
When the truck is in pieces, and the interior is apart, it can feel like a long way back. But that’s part of the process. You take it down carefully so you can rebuild it properly.
Service With A Smell
A Land Rover Series II was towed into the shop this week. Among other things, it came in with an aromatic fuel leak. We’ve traced it, addressed the source, and, among other fixes, fitted a new carburettor to bring things back to proper order.
There’s something satisfying about working through systems on older Rovers. Simple, visible, and built to be understood.
This one also happens to be wearing a great shade of blue. - almost like a Tuscan Blue - exactly the kind of colour that feels at home on a Series truck.
FIELDCRAFT TIPS
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
When Water Finds Its Way In
Water and electronics have never made a good pair. If you suspect water has made its way into your Land Rover, the first step is simple: don’t ignore it. Left alone, moisture doesn’t just dry up and disappear. It lingers, travels, and slowly compromises connectors, pins, and modules.
Start by checking the obvious entry points. Sunroofs, windshield seals, door membranes, and cowl drains are the usual suspects. Look for damp carpets, condensation under trim, or that unmistakable musty smell.
It’s tempting to keep driving and hope it resolves itself, but electrical issues tend to compound. If possible, disconnect the battery and avoid cycling the ignition repeatedly. Powering wet systems can do more damage than the water itself.
Drying helps, but it’s only part of the solution. Fans, airflow, and time can remove surface moisture, but connectors and modules often need to be inspected properly. In some cases, components can be saved. In others, replacement is the only path forward.
Like most things with these trucks, the goal isn’t just to fix what’s broken. It’s to understand how the water got in, address it at the source, and make sure it doesn’t happen again.
ROVER CULTURE
Events and Land Rover News
Remembering a Land Rover Legend: An Ode to Tim Slessor
Some people take part in great journeys. Others make them happen.
Tim Slessor was the definition of both.
A journalist, broadcaster, and natural storyteller, Tim had a way of seeing possibilities and overcoming the impossible where others saw obstacles. In the mid-1950s, when the idea of driving from London to Singapore was little more than an ambitious student dream, he was one of the key figures who refused to let it remain just that. His belief, energy, and persistence helped turn the Oxford–Cambridge expedition from a conversation into a reality.
And what a reality - and legacy - it became.
Setting out in two Land Rovers, the team crossed continents, terrain, and expectations. It was a 36,000-mile journey that would go on to define an era of overland exploration and prove, beyond doubt, the capability and character of the vehicles we still celebrate today.
But Tim’s contribution didn’t end when the wheels stopped turning. He captured the spirit of the expedition in words and film, sharing the story with a wider world and ensuring it would endure long after the dust had settled. Through his work, the journey became more than an achievement. It became part of Land Rover history.
He wasn’t just along for the ride. He helped write it, shape it, and preserve it.
So when we look back at the Oxford–Cambridge expedition, we’re not just remembering a route across the globe. We’re remembering the people who made it possible.
And among them, Tim Slessor stands firmly at the start of the road.
Rest In Adventure
1931 - 2026
AGULHAS UPDATES
Current Builds
Agulhas In Print
This month, Agulhas Bespoke Land Rovers is featured in Modern Luxury Magazine, with a piece centred on our founder Dean Kruuse and the philosophy behind the builds.
It’s a thoughtful interview looking at what a heritage-led Defender is, why restraint matters, what’s worth preserving, and how decades of hands-on experience continue to shape every decision in the workshop.
We're honoured to have our work featured in Modern Luxury because they understand that these trucks aren’t just restored or customised, but carefully crafted.
If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s well worth the read.