Built on 28th Dec 1965, despatched on 19th Jan 1966 to Crisswells of Newmarket in Bronze Green, a UK petrol 88" utility model 2a. 

We acquired her in May 2025 from her former owner in Essex, so to our knowledge she has always been an East Anglian car. 

Elizabeth was originally fitted with a 2.25 petrol engine, coupled to a manual gearbox. At some point in her past she was fitted with a 2.25 petrol series 3 engine which has been modified with electronic ignition and alternator and a spin on oil filter conversion. She is fitted with a Fairey overdrive but am not sure when this was fitted. The original colours were deep bronze green and limestone and I am currently in the process of addressing the very scruffy paintwork, panel by panel in a very amateur way and by spraying using a compressor, while learning how to paint a car “on the job”! The interior format is currently two front adjustable seats with nothing in between, and two single seats behind the front seats in the rear. The hardtop is fitted with sliding windows and a cat flap rear door assembly at the rear. She is fitted with a tow bar and electrics which I haven’t tested yet. 

About five years ago Elizabeth was fitted with a brand new Richard’s galvanised chassis, renovated bulkhead, was rewired, the suspension was rebuilt with parabolic springs and the brakes were rebuilt. So she starts, stops and drives very well and is very solid. Some of the body panels are dented and have varying degrees of paint, from several very old and flaking layers to bare aluminium! 

My plan is to improve (but not restore) the bodywork, fit a canvas tilt and some free-wheeling hubs that came with her. And then use and enjoy her as much as possible! 

I’ve already changed all the oils and filters and greased where required, and will obviously continue to maintain on a regular basis. I’m also going to treat the underside and chassis box sections with Lanoguard on an annual basis. Unfortunately I can’t fit her in my garage so she will sit outside, under a waterproof cover.

Other jobs on the list: fit a Smiths heater, replace the tyres with new radials, fit a centre front seat, replace the front bumper.