+ Sponsored BY +
+ 2010 Land Rover Defender 110 2.4L TDI
+ Started life as a blue Land Rover pick-up
+ Spent 7 years as a private ambulance
+ Bought in February 2018 by Lawrence & Rachel and named 'Amber'
+ April 2020 converted into an overlanding camper by Camperhus Conversions
+ 2021 set to travel the world
+ Started life as a blue Land Rover pick-up
+ Spent 7 years as a private ambulance
+ Bought in February 2018 by Lawrence & Rachel and named 'Amber'
+ April 2020 converted into an overlanding camper by Camperhus Conversions
+ 2021 set to travel the world
+ buying an ambulance +
It was a grey, drizzly afternoon in February 2018 when Rachel found herself swiping through Land Rover Defenders on eBay. We had been on the look-out for a suitable vehicle to complete a shared passion to drive around the world. Initial ideas had included Land Rover Defender 110's or 130's or perhaps a Toyota Hilux or Land Cruiser. At no point had we considered an ambulance.
Then this advert popped up. A 2010 Land Rover ex-human ambulance, previously used at equine and cross country events, needing a new home. After going to check the ambulance with her dad, the decision was easy. 'Amber', as she was soon to be known, was coming home with Rachel.
Lawrence didn't see the ambulance for another 3 months until returning from New Zealand. Rachel could let out a sigh of relief as Lawrence approved of the spur of the moment purchase. The only slight issue was Lawrence struggled to fit into the driving seat - a problem for a vehicle that was going to be driven around the world. A solution would be needed!
It was early days but expedition 'The Overlanding Ambulance' was soon to begin.
Then this advert popped up. A 2010 Land Rover ex-human ambulance, previously used at equine and cross country events, needing a new home. After going to check the ambulance with her dad, the decision was easy. 'Amber', as she was soon to be known, was coming home with Rachel.
Lawrence didn't see the ambulance for another 3 months until returning from New Zealand. Rachel could let out a sigh of relief as Lawrence approved of the spur of the moment purchase. The only slight issue was Lawrence struggled to fit into the driving seat - a problem for a vehicle that was going to be driven around the world. A solution would be needed!
It was early days but expedition 'The Overlanding Ambulance' was soon to begin.
+ conversion PHASE ONE +
After a particularly disastrous night on an airbed in the rear of the ambulance, an urgent push was made early on to make the ambulance more practical for camping. Lawrence, under Rachel's dad's tutelage, constructed a bench that folded down into a double bed, removed the ambulance chair and built storage between existing cupboards.
The van was transformed, but clearly this wasn't going to be enough for going around the world. For starters, there wasn't enough room to stand up straight and the driving position issue hadn't been rectified. A more radical metamorphosis was needed...
The van was transformed, but clearly this wasn't going to be enough for going around the world. For starters, there wasn't enough room to stand up straight and the driving position issue hadn't been rectified. A more radical metamorphosis was needed...
+ the overlanding ambulance rises +
After being approved by the DVLA to keep the ambulance with only minimal changes, we began to consider how we might keep the vehicle as 'ambulance-like' in appearance inside and out. A long list of names, asking friends and family, and going back and forth between ideas, we finally agreed on the same one.
The Name: THE OVERLANDING AMBULANCE
Decided ... May 2018
Decided ... May 2018
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We had a logo produced by James Chester of Face Ache designs in January 2020. We later had it animated ... because why not?!
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+ CONVERSION PHASE TWO +
The construction
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As much as we would have liked to convert the ambulance ourselves, we knew early on that we didn't possess the skills or the time to get the finish we wanted. We spent the first 18 months deciding how best to utilise the limited space and who we would get to convert 'Amber' into a globe trotting home on wheels.
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We ultimately decided on Paul Richardson who runs Camperhus Conversions in Cannock, UK. He had experience of converting other Land Rover ambulances and we felt he most shared our vision for what we wanted.
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So, having decided on our must haves, a budget and the person to do it, on the 16th March 2020 we found ourselves driving down the M6 to drop off Amber. We knew the next time we saw her she would look very different. A week later, the UK was in it's first national lock down and suddenly things seemed very uncertain, including for our trip.
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Early design concept
CONCEPT JAN 2020 - PAUL RICHARDSON, CAMPERHUS CONVERSIONS
CamperHus Campervan Conversions: Address - Unit 16, West Cannock Way, Cannock Chase Enterprise Centre, Hednesford, Cannock, Staffordshire,WS12 0QW
Website - www.camperhus.co.uk, Phone - 0782 461 1839, Email - paul.campervan@gmail.com
Website - www.camperhus.co.uk, Phone - 0782 461 1839, Email - paul.campervan@gmail.com
+ CONVERSION PHASE TWO +
the result
Collection day - 24th June 2021
We have converted Amber's interior to create a home for 2 plus years on the road.
+ STickers on +
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In August 2020 we took Amber to see Terry at Kirkby Signs in Liverpool to get the final stickers applied. Not only did the Kirkby Signs team make a generous donation towards our charities, but they also helped our expedition by covering the costs for the signage. Terry was 'proper boss' and it was great to chat Land Rovers with someone who is a true enthusiast.
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Kirkby Signs: Address - Unit 1 Highgrove Business Park, Knowsley Industrial Estate, Liverpool, L33 7SE
Website - www.kirkbysigns.com, Phone - 0151 289 8127, Email - terry@kirkbysigns.com
Website - www.kirkbysigns.com, Phone - 0151 289 8127, Email - terry@kirkbysigns.com
+ finishing touches +
We may not have done the ambulance conversion ourselves but we have completed many finishing touches. Here is a small selection of the jobs that we have undertaken. There is always more tinkering to be done ...
+ ON road repairs +
Repair 1 (23/10/2021) - Replacement of roof hinge bolt x1 on left hand side after it sheared
Repair 2 (02/11/2021) - Front right side light bulb replacement
Repair 3 (25/11/2021) - Repair of breaks front and rear after MOT failure (£)
Repair 4 (24/02/2022) - Replacement of windscreen wiper motor and arms (£)
Repair 5 (26/03/2022) - Replacement of roof hinge bolt x2 on right hand side after they sheared
Repair 6 (05/04/2022) - Replacement of broken Dometic CRX50 fridge under warranty
Repair 7 (12/04/2022) - Rear right brake light bulb replacement
Repair 8 (13/04/2022) - Replacement of broken Wallas XC Duo diesel hob under warranty
Repair 9 (21/04/2022) - Replacement of bonnet arm retainer clip
Repair 10 (27/04/2022) - Replaced failed silicone around ambulance seams
Repair 11 (01/05/2022) - Trouble shooting with OBD reader engine warning light
Repair 12 (30/05/2022) - Failure of the adapter shaft between the gear box and the transfer case. Fixed by BBA Auto Servis in Sarajevo. Full service completed. Transmission oil low. (£)
Repair 13 (04/06/2022) - Temporary repair of left hand side lower bodywork seam due to crack appearing and water ingress
Repair 14 (09/06/2022) - Replacement of roof hinge bolt x1 on right hand side after they sheared
Repair 15 (13/06/2022) - Repair of roof canvas where failed right hand side roof hinge pierced material on 09/06/2022
Repair 16 (13/06/2022) - Repair (stitching) of damaged mosquito netting in roof windows
Repair 17 (23/06/2022) - Rear lower right brake light bulb replacement
(£) = costs incurred due to parts or labour
Repair 2 (02/11/2021) - Front right side light bulb replacement
Repair 3 (25/11/2021) - Repair of breaks front and rear after MOT failure (£)
Repair 4 (24/02/2022) - Replacement of windscreen wiper motor and arms (£)
Repair 5 (26/03/2022) - Replacement of roof hinge bolt x2 on right hand side after they sheared
Repair 6 (05/04/2022) - Replacement of broken Dometic CRX50 fridge under warranty
Repair 7 (12/04/2022) - Rear right brake light bulb replacement
Repair 8 (13/04/2022) - Replacement of broken Wallas XC Duo diesel hob under warranty
Repair 9 (21/04/2022) - Replacement of bonnet arm retainer clip
Repair 10 (27/04/2022) - Replaced failed silicone around ambulance seams
Repair 11 (01/05/2022) - Trouble shooting with OBD reader engine warning light
Repair 12 (30/05/2022) - Failure of the adapter shaft between the gear box and the transfer case. Fixed by BBA Auto Servis in Sarajevo. Full service completed. Transmission oil low. (£)
Repair 13 (04/06/2022) - Temporary repair of left hand side lower bodywork seam due to crack appearing and water ingress
Repair 14 (09/06/2022) - Replacement of roof hinge bolt x1 on right hand side after they sheared
Repair 15 (13/06/2022) - Repair of roof canvas where failed right hand side roof hinge pierced material on 09/06/2022
Repair 16 (13/06/2022) - Repair (stitching) of damaged mosquito netting in roof windows
Repair 17 (23/06/2022) - Rear lower right brake light bulb replacement
(£) = costs incurred due to parts or labour
