I found myself with a bit of spare time and a smidgen of sunshine so I whipped out the ratchet set and set to work. The plan is to repaint Big Car and I figure I’ll start at the front and work to the back. First job – front bumper. I’ve got some sanding pads which fit on to the angle grinder, so I figured… what the hell. Well, I took off way more old paint than I was expecting! All good though – it’s so easy to do that I might strip it back to the bare metal and then primer it then paint it. Bumpers and fringey bits will be black. Haven’t decided what colour the rest of Big Car will be yet!

In order to get at the whole of the front of her, I took off the bumper. In doing so, I discovered a whole load of old mud. Bearing in mind none of us have actually done any off-roading with Big Car, I can only imagine this sandy old mud is from her time as an actual military workhorse… is it Iraqi mud, I wonder?!

I’m in two minds – I think she looks quite badass without a front bumper, and if I got a lift kit and a flat bumper she could be really rude. BUT I’ve got that big ass bull bar to go on… so at this point, the bumper will be going back. With a new number plate, I might add.

Laters!