A classic Land Rover restoration is helping Sarah Crabtree forge a new career path in automotive restoration. The Pennsylvania College of Technology student, once on track for a career in law, is now fully immersed in bringing her father’s 1971 Land Rover back to its original state.
“This one project for Sarah fits and in some respects exceeds all the required student outcomes for the restoration certificate,” said Roy Klinger, collision repair instructor and co-department head at Penn College. “Sarah is self-motivated and passionate about the Land Rover community.”
Crabtree, of Elizabethtown, PA, is earning a certificate in automotive restoration while rebuilding nearly all aspects of the vintage vehicle herself -- excluding the purchased transmission. She is meticulously restoring the engine, axles, body and interior to concours condition, the highest level of restoration accuracy.
“It’s like the crown jewel in my resume to send out to Rover shops everywhere,” Crabtree said.
Her journey to automotive restoration was unconventional. Initially, she earned a bachelor’s degree in pre-law and attended Widener University Commonwealth Law School before realizing that law was not her calling. Instead, she found fulfillment in working with her hands, leading her to an apprenticeship at a Land Rover specialist garage in Elizabethtown. There, she gained hands-on experience in mechanical work, restoration and shop management.
“Law school just didn’t take. I found out that sitting at a desk and reading and writing all day wasn’t for me,” she explained. “Working with my hands comes a lot more naturally.”
That realization drove her to enroll at Penn College to build on her practical knowledge with a formal education in automotive restoration. In addition to her coursework and restoration work, Crabtree balances two part-time jobs on the weekends.
Crabtree, behind the wheel, drives in the 2022 Rebelle Rally, which she hopes to return to within the next two years. Photo provided by Crabtree.
Crabtree’s affinity for Land Rovers dates back to her high school years when she watched a friend restore a 1973 model. Inspired by the process, she eventually purchased a 1992 Land Rover Defender and deepened her appreciation for the vehicle’s rarity and the camaraderie among Land Rover enthusiasts.
Beyond her passion for restoration, Crabtree has also tested her skills behind the wheel. In 2022, she participated in the Rebelle Rally, a 1,500-mile off-road endurance competition that requires navigation using only paper maps and a compass.
As she nears completion of the Land Rover restoration, Crabtree remains focused on her long-term goal: securing a position at a corporate Land Rover restoration facility, ideally in England, before eventually opening her own specialized garage.
“The vehicle being of British origin brings a unique aspect to our program. Every process has an element that she can learn from,” Klinger noted.
Ali Lorson, assistant dean of transportation technologies at Penn College, praised Crabtree’s determination and work ethic.
“Sarah is a student who consistently impresses with her intelligence, resilience and willingness to take risks. She isn’t afraid to fail, and she uses setbacks as chances to grow,” Lorson said. “Her determination and positive attitude make her an inspiring role model.”
Once completed, the Land Rover will retain its original 1971 specifications, including a red and white exterior, standard seating, a headliner, floor mats and a basic heater -- no modern additions such as touchscreens or air conditioning.
With aspirations to return to the Rebelle Rally in the next two years -- potentially in the oldest vehicle ever to compete -- Crabtree continues to push her limits in both restoration and endurance racing.
“This girl knows what she wants and goes after it,” Lorson added. “She’s not afraid to put in the effort to achieve her goals. I have no doubt that she will continue to accomplish great things.”
