A kitcar genre showing definite growth at the moment is the offroad 4x4 sector with new products from Range Over, Action Automotive, Land Ranger 4x4 and NCF (Out Bak) joining old stalwarts like the Dakar 4x4, which also has a new donor option in the Land Rover Discovery, and one of the very latest on the scene is the interesting new Range MEV 4x4 from Mills Extreme Vehicles based in Mansfield. Stuart Mills is the man behind the project, and for many years he’s been creating one-off special projects and certainly the company’s premises are among the best of any kitcar manufacturer I’ve seen. Crikey, they even have their own one-mile test track on site! How many can boast one of them?

MEV 4x4 one of the most capable newcomers for a long time.

Stuart is ably assisted by Julie ‘Jules’ Wilson who has been with him for 20-years although just because she’s a woman don’t automatically think phone answering and admin. As part of a team of two she does that as well, but her real forte is in design, development and yep, construction of some of the many MEV vehicles over the years. In addition to cars Mr Mills has also turned his hand to the design and build of microlight aeroplanes, some of which are in the hands of Popular Flying Association members. Rather than just build and forget them he’s even flown in one of his own aircraft. Not just around the block either. A return trip from Nottingham to Madrid actually! That proved its airworthiness then!

Of course if you want a one-off vehicle, be it plane or car, MEV will come up with one for you. The real raison d’etre of this feature though is their first kit offering. Called the MEV4x4, it’s a rugged, beefy looking offroader, with genuine tarmac ability, with looks that you’ll either love or won’t get. I’m positively of the former opinion, and the more I look at it the more I like it. During our photo shoot, in the flesh, in the wild, as it were the thing really looks good. Where it also differs from other similar kits is in the engine department. Sure, the Range Rover Classic is becoming an ever increasingly popular donor vehicle (inexpensive parts, bombproof mechanicals, V8 engine, brilliant off-road ability - how many reasons do you need?). The MEV retains the V8, but has it moved behind the driver for a sporty mid-engined arrangement. It’s akin to a whole raft of Raid Rally cars or specials competing in the All Wheel Drive Club championships. I well remember a fierce contraption called the Strange Rover, with the engine outback and a ‘Chinese’ gearbox, built by a bonkers delicatessen owner from Soho! 

Styling very individual...

The car can be described as a true single donor vehicle and when Stuart set out designing it he wanted to create an all-terrain kitcar that had to be affordable. This is why so much from the Rangey is used including wheels, tyres, transfer box, manifolds, steering wheel, axles with diffs, pedal box, power steering box, wipers and motor, gearbox, engine, radiator, brake components right down to minutiae like number plate lights. Of course if like the demo car you fancy some aftermarket alloy wheels or a fancy steering wheel you can. It depends very much on your budget. You can press into service some of the Range Rover parts, which are ideal for the job, and upgrade as and when if the fancy takes you.

I often get asked about the virtues of the Range Rover as a donor. As outlined earlier it makes a superb case for itself. Ratty looking Classic models are abundant for not much money. A 20-year old car might be a shed on the surface but despite some completing inter-galactic mileages I fancy that under the skin they’ll be pretty sound. The original RR’s body suffered bit from the dreaded tin worm, which could have made the difference between remaining on the road or on a scrapyard’s heap. My best advice as always with these things is buy the very best donor you can afford as then you’ll reap the rewards in the end. Pay a grand and you’ll have a suitable subject for cannibalisation and you’ll be really pleased you spent a bit more.

...but very purposeful

Unlike several similar type 4x4 kits that use the original chassis, either as per original wheelbase or chopped, the MEV 4x4 features a brand new substantial hollow section steel ladderframe chassis with side steps and outriggers, and as Stuart says “Why use old when you can use new”? As with the body, the donor chassis’ suffered from corrosion too. You turn this into a rolling chassis very easily by bolting on the necessary Range Rover components and the bespoke MEV suspension components and then the one-piece body is lowered into place. It’s the sort of kit that a novice could tackle I reckon. There are a couple of amendments to be mindful of during the early stages of construction. The MEV runs with a wheelbase that is 30cm shorter than the Range Rover’s and so you’ll need to shorten the propshaft, while as mentioned the engine is mounted amidships. Unlike Old Emilio’s Strange Rover, where the engine sat massively high up bolted to a subframe, it sits really low in the MEV, some 20cm lower than standard in fact. It’s not rocket science, but all Stuart has done is simply turn the engine round 180 degrees so that drive is the correct way round.

Stylish dash layout. Mini speedo a big plus.

As I prepare for my test drive I notice that the GRP mouldings are very good with a substantial thickness of fibreglass and the clever gullwing doors swing open enabling pretty easy access to the cockpit. The sidesteps are useful, as they help with leverage of the body over the high side aperture. Once ensconced inside I’m amazed at the amount of light and all-round visibility on offer here. If I were building one I think I’d allow a bit extra in the budget for one of Car Builder Solutions little air conditioning units, as this would make sure that the sun didn’t make the occupants overly hot. The driving position is spot-on and the seats move fore and aft. Actually there’s plenty of legroom, so tall drivers can be accommodated without fuss. I also like the cleverly thought out storage space situated at the front in where the engine was located, which is accessed via the interior and ideal for squashy bags and shopping. It’s hard to describe the feeling behind the wheel of the MEV. It’s not a sportscar, but it is a two-seater. You’re not scraping your backside inches from the ground; you’re sitting way up high. I guess it might be like being in a Bowler Wildcat.

I like the dash layout and although not over the top, it’s sophisticated looking and suits the surroundings, plus there’s even the luxury of a mobile phone holder and cup holders too. Plus I love the addition of a centrally mounted Classic Mini speedometer, which adds a certain something to proceedings!

Ability on road and...

The demo car uses the donor’s three-speed auto ‘box and although performance warriors out there might scoff, in this instance, it’s good news. Bang it into ‘drive’ and floor it! That’s what I did anyway. Performance from the venerable 3.5-litre version of Rover’s V8 is only 150bhp, but in a car weighing a lot less than the donor’s colossal bulk (1762kg versus 1300kg), performance is good. Anyway, as I said, use a decent donor with a 4.0 or 4.6-litre engine and this thing would be a veritable hotrod. With throttle planted, letting the gearbox sort out the cog changing for you progress still feels plenty rapid I can tell you and with the automatic you can ride the engine’s torque. Thanks to the facilities at Stuart’s own proving ground I don’t have to wonder about off road ability I simply career into the scenery and although the Range Rover is well-known for its mud-plugging skills, thanks to considerable 25cm clearance under the diffs and a huge 37cm under the exhausts this thing can really perform on all terrains. Off road types class a 4x4 by its angle of approach (or even ‘attack’ if you take a real run-up!) and the MEV excels here with angles of 50 degrees, plus it can wade up to 60cm (that’s two feet to you and me) and this really is proper off road ability. I have a ball chucking it into, up and down various gradients and potholes and not once does it look like getting stuck. I guess the wheel at each corner and negligible overhangs also help.

Back on road, the other nice thing about the MEV is its almost complete lack of bodyroll. Old Rangeys are known for cornering on their door-handles, but thanks to the decent MEV suspension set-up and lowered engine, the car feels stiff and sporty, while remaining very compliant without customary off-roader wallowing. All very pleasing.

...off road.

So, what’s a MEV 4x4 going to cost then? Well, the kit comes in four stages. The first features the ladderframe chassis, side steps and outriggers, plus bespoke suspension components and comes in at £749. Stage two costs £810 and includes the fuel-related items such as the 50-litre alloy fuel tank. The third pack is the one that makes your MEV 4x4 look like a car. It’s the one-piece heavy-duty fibreglass body, which comes with bonded-in centre floor tub, acrylic windows, laminated windscreen (bespoke) and many other components and costs £3695 (£2250 buys just the body pack), while the final stage is the seating, lighting and electrical one at £1395. Add these four packs together and you have a total kit cost of £6649. Add the donor cost (Stuart used a £300 nail for his project!), plus paint and the tyres and in theory you could be finished and ready to roll for under £8000, sourcing some of the components yourself. On the other had spend £12,000 and you’ll have a real stunner.

Seats comfortable

Response thus far has been very encouraging, but as a company who are used to working to tight deadlines and having to be adaptable to meet the needs of their customers MEV have listened to response to the 4x4 and introduced no fewer than 38 changes for the forthcoming alternative versions such as a restyled rear end, lower door openings and a spare wheel attached to the bonnet. The options will be introduced over the next few months and will be known as Trek, Explore, Surf and Ski. Plus in addition to that we saw an as yet un-named Pick Up version in Stuart’s workshop, which looks highly promising. You can also opt for a removable Estate body, which adds copious amounts of practicality. Clearly then, MEV don’t like the idea of standing still. This is a company full of innovative ideas and an exciting newcomer that I’m sure will be around for many years. MEV Ltd is I reckon going to be on of this industry’s major players before very long.

MEV 4x4 boss Stuart Mills

MEV 4x4 TECHSPEC:

Body: One-piece GRP with bonded-in centre floor tub.

Chassis: Jigged and Mig welded rectangular hollow section ladderframe.

Donor Vehicle: Range Rover Classic (1971-2000)

Engine: Mid-mounted Rover V8 (3.5-litre to 5-litre). LPG and TDi 200/300 options.

Gearbox: Five-speed Borg Warner T5 or three-speed auto

Suspension: A combination of Range Rover and MEV Ltd components all-round.

Brakes: Discs all-round.

Weight: 1340kg

Full kit from: £7650

DIY build from: £10,000

Turnkey cars from:

For more information contact:

Mills Extreme Vehicles Ltd; Ratcher Hill Quarry, Southwell Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 4GT

Tel: 01623 655 522

Website: www.mevltd.co.uk

Words by Steve Hole

Photos by Carol Hardy

© 2006 – CAR PR Ltd & totalkitcar – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED