This week on Project Purdey, it was all about progress and patience. From a productive visit to Safety Devices in the UK to aligning and prepping Purdey’s body panels for painting, we made strides toward her transformation—though not without a few twists and turns. Let’s dive into Week 10 of the build.
Starting with Safety
The week began with a trip to Safety Devices in Suffolk, where Purdey will have her roll cage installed in January. It was a privilege to explore their workshop and get insights into how the cage will fit around Purdey’s interior.
One of the highlights was seeing “CAD”—Cardboard Assisted Design—used in prototyping. It’s always fascinating to see the blend of cutting-edge engineering and practical ingenuity.
While in the UK, we collected a treasure trove of parts, including:
- New door tops
- Wild Bear yellow suspension turrets
- Purdey’s original wings
These parts are crucial for restoring Purdey’s body to her former glory while maintaining her vintage charm.
Back in France: Body Panels Taking Shape
Once home, the focus shifted back to aligning Purdey’s body panels. Here’s a breakdown:
- Sides of the Tub:
The rear tub’s sides were finally reattached. Seeing them in place after months of working on the bare chassis was oddly disorienting—every new addition seems to make Purdey look smaller! - Windscreen Frame:
We trial-fitted Purdey’s original windscreen frame to ensure everything aligned. This is one of those parts that hasn’t changed much over the years, but as we’ve learned, Land Rover builds are always full of surprises. - Roof Trial Fit:
For the first time, Purdey’s roof was placed back on. While it still needs some work (and possibly a new seal), it’s incredible to see her starting to resemble a complete vehicle again.
Adjustments and Setbacks
A misaligned bolt in the roof frame caused a temporary halt, and a missing seal meant taking the roof off again. Thankfully, a quick order resolved the seal issue, but the delay reminded us of the importance of patience (and a good sense of humor).
Body Panels Ready for Paint
By the end of the week, we had several panels—including the rear door, bonnet, and one wing—ready to head to the paint shop. Each piece has been carefully stripped, filled, and primed to retain as much originality as possible while ensuring durability for Purdey’s rally adventures.
After a whirlwind week of travel, trial fits, and adjustments, we’re proud of what the team achieved. Seeing Purdey’s body come together has been a reminder of why we’re on this journey—to build not just a Land Rover, but a vehicle full of character and history, ready for the challenges ahead.