Yes, yes - I know 'tis a contentious subject - can we explain chequer-plate?

[Exile]

We should remember that the thickness of the alloy body skin was reduced at some point - beginning of Defender, or earlier?

I could always stand on the wings of my Series vehicles without damaging them, but just wouldn't do that on any Defender.

I can understand late Series commercial vehicles needing protection, but I can't remember seeing that many privately owned Series with heavily dented wing-tops (sides were a different story!)
On the other hand, I have seen plenty of later Land Rovers with nasty depressions in the wing-tops.

I have a very early Defender from the first few months of production, that was kept at the Factory unregistered for a year. There is evidence of it being used for trial-fitting various things.

It has the most perfectly fitting wing-top chequer plate that I have seen - as well as a small piece on the right-hand upper surface of the bumper. (Now replaced as it was rotten underneath)..

Enquiries have drawn suggestions that the factory may have been trial-fitting chequer plate, since the alloy skin had become too thin for any hard use.

The vehicle hasn't ever been owned by an "enthusiast" (if that's what you call people who insist on bolting stuff to their Land Rovers).

Anyway, from this and what has been said above, IMO chequer plate is legitimate on a Land Rover but not simply as decoration

[Exile]

You can make up your own mind....

[Myles (Mr Fox) Davison]

Mine came with CP on the wing tops as they are ex-FFR and have dirty great holes that need covering.

As soon as I can get replacement wings, I will.

[22900013A]

I'm not fussed either way by chequer plate, although I'd be more likely to remove it than put it on. My 1960 ex electricity board 109 has it on the wing tops, no idea who fitted it or when, but it's staying on.
Phil.

I'd say there is a very good chance that's original fitment. NEEB did seem to like big roof racks so it makes sense.

[22900013A]

YEB series 3 with bonnet and wing plates.

[biloxi]

What, chequer-plate already ? Did I miss GL4 v GL5 and oil v one shot? I definitely did not miss tubed V tubeless rims.
.W.

[Serious Series]

I bought two chequer plate wing tops years ago they are still in my garage un used if any one interested in them.
photo of one lying on my wing.dated 30/6/2013.

[Wittsend]

Don't worry those topics will come back round again (too) soon enough.

Along with Defender door mirrors, parabolic springs, electronic ignition, little steering wheels, etc. etc.

Maybe we should have a separate section for such "debates" 

[Wittsend]

I bought two chequer plate wing tops years ago they are still in my garage un used if any one interested in them.
photo of one lying on my wing.dated 30/6/2013.

If fitting, use Silkaflex EBT+ to seal them, then you won't get water ingress under the plate as reported by an earlier poster.


 

[NoBeardNoTopKnot]

I like the logic to Silkaflex.

It's simple when you explain it.

[biloxi]

Don't worry those topics will come back round again (too) soon enough.

Along with Defender door mirrors, parabolic springs, electronic ignition, little steering wheels, etc. etc.

Maybe we should have a separate section for such "debates" 

Thank you for your reassuring words.
.W.

[NoBeardNoTopKnot]

Chequer is a first-owner thing.

a. It's a fire-pump.
b. It's a crane/ recovery
c. It's ex-utility.
d. It's a ladder-various.

The give-away is the  word-count, if one word or two words max. won't cover it...