The record
Newcastle mechanic and expedition member Ted Hayes lengthened the chassis and body to accommodate a three-litre Rover six-cylinder engine. The museum records long-range fuel tanks, an extra fuel pump, bonnet-mounted oil cooler and reservoir, additional rear springs and a bull-bar. Mike Leyland hand-painted its expedition lettering.
Following the crossing the wagon toured with the film Wheels Across a Wilderness. It went into storage in 1969 and Mike Leyland donated it to the National Motor Museum in 2003 (HT 2003.0309). The model uses the shared 109-inch geometry to represent the lengthened 107-inch vehicle, as requested; this is not a claim that the donor was a 109. The red body, pale safari roof, angular front arches, oil cooler and side lettering follow the museum photographs. Bonnet and roof spares follow the period expedition photograph reproduced by Carsales. A period capstan is restored for the travelling configuration; the museum photographs show the surviving vehicle with some equipment absent.
The museum catalogue identifies 1956, whereas Allison gives 1958; this record follows the collecting museum. Its generic engine specification conflicts with its specific three-litre conversion history, so the generic capacity and power figures are not repeated as verified specifications.
