Oxford Diecast 76LRL006 Land Rover Lightweight Hard Top Fred Dibnah.

Fred Dibnah was a Lancashire steeplejack and first came to public attention with a fascinating TV series in which his traditional methods of demolishing the vast Victorian cotton and woollen mill chimneys of Lancashire and Yorkshire were watched by millions. Despite a very moderate education, Fred was a highly intelligent and innovative engineer and had a great sense of humour, often relating jokes against himself. His lifelong fascination was in steam and apart from the ‘day job’, he renovated steam engines and machinery in the back garden of his home in Bolton using only traditional steam powered tools. He was a familiar sight driving his large showmans engine at steam fairs throughout the UK and was always ready for a chat – in fact it was very difficult to get a word in edgeways! He was so interesting to talk to and drew large crowds wherever he went.

Even though not at all well in the last few months of his life, Fred managed to finish the renovations of his last steam engine and took it on a nationwide tour. Fred’s famous Land Rover is registered ECW 656W from 1980/81. It is decorated in red and green with a roof, bonnet and wheel centres masked in light brown. Fred’s business name is printed in cream along the sides and rear of the vehicle. The interior is moulded in the same green as the lower body with remaining exterior trim masked black.