Russell wrote (June 03): "SXF455 started life with the Civil Defence Corps at Desborough, Northamptonshire, but as yet I have not been able to find out anything of its in-service history. After the disbanding of the Civil Defence in 1968, the vehicle was acquired by Haringey Council and used as their fleet support tender.
In the early 70's it was sold at auction and was used as a breakdown truck. In 1975 it was bought by Tommy Robinson, of Nightingale Riding Stables, Chingford. He used it until 1985 when (after mechanical failure) it was parked up in the corner of his yard.
In 1992 it was sold to Martin Wedgwood, of South Woodford to be broken up for spares. I rescued it in 1994 when his wife decided she didn't want it as an ornament in her front garden any longer! After initially declining to make an offer on it due to its derelict condition, I agreed to take it in exchange for some work I did for Martin. A sane person wouldn't have attempted a restoration, but breaking it up just didn't seem right.
The restoration took just over 4 years and it was returned to the road in July 1999. As the numerous layers of paint were being stripped, some of the original CD livery was found, confirming that it had been a Reconnaissance vehicle. The livery was re-created from these remnants and information from books and photographs. The restored vehicle is exhibited at a number of shows including LRe, LRW and LRO, and I am very proud of the fact that it is entirely my own work."
In LRe Billing 2002 video.
There is a 1:43 scale model of this vehicle available from Oxford Diecast Models, in a limited edition of 2000.