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After flying over to Australia a number of times and getting a taste of what there was to offer, Scottish ex-pat Callum Blackhall decided to move over here for good back in 2003. No stranger to different types of 4WDing around the world, Callum’s piloted Land Rovers all around the UK, as well as on a trip through the Negeve Desert in Israel.
Prior to that point, his visits to Australia consisted of hiring Land Rovers and heading bush. Being a dentist, Callum knew he’d be able to get work just about wherever he went, so it didn’t take much convincing for him to settle into life down in Tasmania. And who could blame him, with some of the country’s best 4WDing in his own backyard?
A typical Land Rover head, Callum’s list of previous vehicles spans a pair of two-door Rangies, a later-model four-door Rangie, a Series III Land Rover, three Series Is, a 110 hard-top, a ’96 Discovery and his other current project, an Isuzu-powered County ambulance that’s being converted into a go-anywhere campervan. Phew! And you thought some people took Land Rovers lightly…
The build-up of the Disco’s an interesting one. Steering largely away from off-the-shelf items where possible, Callum’s set up the vehicle to go just about anywhere. The ultimate expedition vehicle, our American friends would call it. And we’d have to agree.
When questioned on his reason for purchasing the Disco II, Callum’s reply is simple – it’s a Land Rover! Plus, he reckons the combination of coil springs, a frugal diesel engine and all-round comfort are good things.
He also mentions that he’d like to thank Justin Cooper Land Rover in Kingston, as well as all his mates who helped him out during the build-up. Birds of a feather and all that, hey?
INTERIOR
We’ve said it before, but there’s no point building an ultra-capable tourer if you can’t be buggered spending time in the thing! That’s why it’s just as important to consider how you’re going to deck out your interior when it comes to modifying a 4WD. Otherwise, how else will you be able to hack those eight-hour days in the saddle?
The Disco’s a pretty sorted machine from the factory when it comes to interior ergonomics, but that’s not to say you can’t make a good thing better. Callum started by upgrading the factory seats to supportive Recaro buckets that use the factory seatbelts. Up on the roof, he fitted an overhead console that houses the UHF radio, as well as an assortment of those tools and bits and pieces that find their way throughout the cabin.
Also up the front is a Pioneer CD player, Piranha dual-battery monitor and a Motorola satphone. The ultimate cool toy, however, is the 12V in-car computer with 8in monitor that runs mapping software when Callum’s on the move.
The middle and back rows of seats have been ditched, and a cargo barrier fitted just rear of the B-pillars. In the rear, you’ll find a custom drawer system that Callum made himself, with the aim of keeping weight down as much as possible. It features twin drawers on the right-hand side, and a slide for the floor-level fridge on the left. Separate storage pockets on either side of the drawers add the storage space. The rear door itself scores a hand-operated water pump and a drop-down table.
» Continue to Page 2
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