Renowned motoring journalist James Taylor has sent me this photo of a IIA 1-Ton Land-Rover used as a mobile service school by British Leyland. The vehicle is OXC928J, built as a LHD but later converted to RHD. Chassis number is 22300037G.

129" Land-Rovers - what could have been...

An abortive attempt at a bigger Land-Rover from the early 1960s, which had spin-offs in the form of 2.5 litre and also turbocharged versions of the 2286 diesel engine. Only two survive, one at Dunsfold, the other at Gaydon. Vehicle number 1 was essentially just a bigger Land-Rover, intended to compete with the Dodge Power Wagon in middle-East oilfield markets. It was thought to have been built with a 3 litre petrol engine but at some point had a turbo version of the 2286 diesel. Prototype 2 onwards was a more resolved vehicle, with springs over the axles, and able to take up to 16.00x16 tyres! Many of these used the 3-litre six-cylinder car engine, which was found to not be suitable for use in such a heavy vehicle. The final prototype had a slightly different wing design and used a 2.5 litre engine with input from CAV for the fuel distribution pump. This vehicle still survives at Dunsfold. This is the other survivor at Gaydon. These were often called "1-Ton" Land-Rovers by the engineers, but were actually closer to 1 1/2 Ton vehicles.

Factory Photo

Factory photo of a Deep Bronze Green 1-Ton series III. The 900x16 tyres are obvious, as are the bonnet clips, long spring hangers and rear fuel tank. I am certain the chassis number was 266/51, despatched to 'Engineering Dept" at Rover.

Essex Fire Tender

I found this photo in an old copy of LRO which shows a 1-Ton Series III converted by HCB-Angus for Essex Fire Brigade. Chassis number was probably 267/48, 49 or 50. RHD Export chassis sequence. Does anyone know more?

Eastnor Castle Show 2012

Eastnor Castle show was the only opportunity in 2012 for the few remaining 1-Ton Land-Rovers to get together and but on a display.
I arrived on Friday afternoon after following a friend in his Series 1. I went straight onto our pitch and set up camp. A second 1-Ton (a series III) joined us on the Saturday morning, however by then all vehicles movements had been stopped due to heavy rain so my IIA was alone on the stand.
By Sunday however it had brightened up and dried out to some extent so we eventually had four vehicles on show. These were my IIA 1-Ton, two Series III 1-Tons and a Series III TACR-1 fire tender. We would have had more vehicles but one just missed an MOT appointment, and another two sadly couldn't make it.

Awaiting the off:


On the site:


A second one arrives...


Sunday:

Funds are needed to continue the restoration of a Series III 1-Ton.  If you can spare any amount to put towards the vehicle, this will help it to be preserved for future generations. 

Please click the donate button.  Thank you so much.

1-Ton 109" For sale

I was contacted recently by a gentleman selling a 1-Ton series III, details are as follow.


Hi , Im Neill from Cavendish Motors in Chesterfield, i just bought a LR to scrap, when i first looked at it i spotted a few clues as to it might be a 1ton. When i got it back to my place and checked it is, Series3 chassis no 26600120B, the chassis is shot, the bulkhead is shot, it has a nasty(unidentified)diesel in it, seats gone. It still has salisbury BOTH axles and the 1ton gearbox.  It seems a shame to scrap it if someone out there wants a resto challenge. picture attatched. you can phone me at work on 01246 231156. 
Cheers Neill

These don't come up for sale very often, even in this kind of condition, so my advice is if you want a 1-Ton, act now! It could be years before another one comes up for sale.