AFTER more than three decades of immobility, reggae icon Bob Marley’s 1976 – series III – Land Rover is on the road again.

The vehicle, which had been on display for years at Marley’s Hope Road address, now turned museum, was moved to the ATL Automotive facility in Montego Bay on Wednesday for restoration to its former glory. The restoration work will take about one year and will cost about US$50,000. It is to be a collaborative effort between the ATL Group and Land Rover headquarters in the United Kingdom.

International star Julian Marley — son of the reggae king — said he recalls some fond memories of the vehicle.

“I have always loved these kinda vehicles, so I remember driving in it from Jacks Hill [where my family lived] to Hope Road and from here to Nine Miles, St Ann [where my father was born],” Julian told Auto. “I always remember the hills and this Land Rover.”

Marley, affectionately called Ju Ju Royal, said the reliability of modern vehicles pale in comparison to the older ones and he had high praises for ATL, which is undertaking the project.

“I love what ATL is doing and would love to take the refurbished Land Rover for a test drive when it returns to Hope Road,” Marley said.

Adam Stewart, deputy chairman of the ATL Group, said he was pleased to be part of this historic venture.

“We are deeply honoured that members of the Marley family have entrusted ATL Britannia [a division of ATL Automotive] with the restoration of Bob Marley’s most treasured vehicle, his Land Rover,” Stewart told Auto.

Stewart, who is the son of hotel mogul Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, said when the AT L Group was approached by the Marley family about six months ago to restore the treasure, he knew he had to get involved.

“Few projects are as unique and monumental as this one,” he said.

“A great deal of credit must go to the parties involved in this project — the Marley family for their passion and their desire to pay this tribute to Bob; Land Rover and their worldwide distributors, ITC, for their support and vision without which it would not be possible; and the ATL Britannia service team, whose expertise is unrivalled anywhere,” Stewart said.

He said the ATL Group would be supplying the labour, while Land Rover UK would provide the parts. And, at the end of the project the vehicle is to be returned to the Marley Museum at Hope Road.

As for Marley’s other immobile vehicle — the Volkswagen panel van in Culture Yard, Trench Town, Stewart said he was not ruling out the possiblity of getting it restored as well.

Steven James, master technician at ATL for Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover, is the man entrusted with reviving the relic.

“We’re obviously going to try to keep as much of the body of the vehicle as possible so as to retain its originality,” said James, who migrated from the United Kingdom and has been working in Jamaica for the last 14 months.

“It’s a lot of work. We will have to put in a new engine; redo the brake lines and the suspension; and overhaul the gearbox, the tranfer boxes, the diffs and the chassis so it is roadworthy. The project will mean working nights and weekends.”

James said that an initial review showed that the original glass, frame and fabric are in good condition and would be reused in the restoration process.

Stewart had high praises for the Land Rover brand of durability and outstanding service.

“It’s a fact that three-quarters of all the Land Rovers ever made are still on the road. However, few are as famous as this one. I’m sure if Bob Marley was still with us, he’d be happily driving it on the roads of Jamaica today,” Stewart said.

Bob Marley died May 11, 1981, after injuring his toe while playing football.

ATL Automotive Limited holds the dealership in Jamaica for the Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Range Rover, Volkswagen and Honda brands.