It was really nice to see you again earlier this week, and seeing my new car's build coming together so well. The shakedown test drive we had reassured me that I had made the right choice in asking you to build me a championship winning car. I was frankly "gob smacked" . You will recall that you have supplied me with quite a lot of your "trick bits" over the last 10 or so years that I have fitted to my earlier competition cars. Your help in tweeking these has helped me win a substantial amount of silverware here in Spain where the opposition is very tough indeed.

I intend entering the very hardest of events in Spain this year, both extreme trials and winch challenges, at national level and hopefully a couple in Portugal. I want to be back up there on the podium and I reckon you have built me a world beater of a car, so if I am not, it will be my fault and not yours.

Having just paid my final account with you, I can say that all the work you have done has not only been done to a very high standard it has also been at a very reasonable cost.

Re your request, please feel free to publish any photos or description of the car on your web site.

I forgot to ask you if I get the first service free? You would of course have to come to Andalucia to do it, stay a few days for the sun tan and enter the car in an event whilst you're here. OK?

Kindest regards and many thanks

Neil Crawford

Neil Crawford's 1.6 Special

• Mk 1 Toyota axles with Mk 3 differential casings with 5.4 ring and pinion sets plus ARB air locking differentials with modified rear disc brakes using Mk 1 Toyota discs and Vitara front callipers.
• Home made rear radius arms and upper 'A' frame with up-rated Vitara rear springs 2" longer than stock with 2 pro-comp 3000 heavy duty rear shocks.
• Both props were custom built by LA Supertrux.
• Front radius arms are early type Range Rover onto home made panhard rod using standard Suzuki spring bushes both ends supported by two Montego rear struts with up-rated springs to cope with winching.
• Chassis is standard Samurai modified for coil suspension.
• Body shell is standard European specification left hand drive.
• Engine is a standard 8 valve 1.6 with modified inlet and exhaust. The carb is a S/U type ZX F 3000 as used on 1.3 - 1.6 Montego with a Land Rover 101 air box and high-level air intake.
• Power steering uses a left hand drive Opel Carlton steering box powered by standard Vitara pump.
• The engine is cooled by a standard Vitara radiator and a remote mocal oil coiler with remote filter. Audi 80 Sport electric fans linked to a Suzuki Swift electric sender unit with manual over ride for deep water driving.
• Two red top Optima batteries are used and are topped by a standard Vitara alternator.
• The clutch is a ceramic type paddle competition clutch onto a standard 413 gear box and standard 410 transfer case.
• Inside the use of two Landrover series three master cylinders are put together to make up the rear fiddle brakes.
• New Sparco bucket seats are used with the new FIA spec 3" wide 5 point harness, the old Suzuki seat belts were retained for road use.
• The latest specification plumbed in fire extinguisher system has been employed with bonnet releases fitted.
• An 8 point internal cage has been built with spare wheel carrier on rear.
• A metal sheet roof over driver and passenger has been fitted to comply with FIA European rules.
• The fuel tank was custom built with double skin in board and the fuel filler neck was raised to suit.
• Both bumpers and side rails are custom built, the front bumper to take a Warn 8274 on a quick release system using no spanners that can also be stored in board or used for rear operation with same linkage on rear of the Suzuki.
• The whole package has been finished off with a 16" Momo steering wheel and 7" x 15" white eight spoke wheels with Bronco 31" x 10.5 grizzly claws.
• We have also fitted and proved 34" extreme jungle trackers will work with superb results.