Beschreibung
For sale, through JOHN BROWN 4X4 LTD, Land Rover® Lightweight in NATO Green (1976).
Petrol 2286cc. MOT until 24th June 2020, but MOT Exempt anyway. Tax Exempt. 750 Tyres. Extensive history file with spare ignition keys (includes Heritage Certificate). 12v, RHD. CAST Off certificate.
We are delighted to present for sale this smart Land Rover® Lightweight, presented in NATO green. This lightweight was sold to us by a military enthusiast, who needed to part with it to fund a new project. The previous keeper bought this vehicle on a ‘Q’ registration – common for lightweights which were cast off by the military if the records couldn’t be located of their year of manufacture – and went to great lengths to find all the relevant documentation to have the vehicle placed on the correct, age related plates. As such, this vehicle has an extensive history file, which includes a build certificate and a significant folder of receipts for maintenance during the last keepers ownership.
This lightweight was built on 1st March 1976, and delivered to the Central Army Vehicle Depot on 18th March 1976. The vehicle was given the military registration of 45 GF 24 and was assigned to Larkhill Royal School Artillery until 16th March 1977. It was then deployed to the 1st Staffordshire Regiment, where it remained until 1982. The vehicle was then returned to the central depot at Ashchurch and subsequently reassigned to the 272nd Engineers Regiment, before being released on 24th October 1990 via the Leeds MOD auction. All this provenance is not something we usually have the benefit of knowing or seeing – so is massively appealing – and to see it was so little used within its military days is particularly important, and is perhaps why the vehicle is in such original and unmolested condition today.
Externally, this lightweight has lots of pleasing period features such as the front and rear bumperettes, bridging plate, vintage plates, bonnet mounted spare, period stickers, recent canvas and rear lifting eyes. The vehicle sits on a set of 750 military style tyres – giving the look one expects of a lightweight – in all, in our opinion, this gives a very pleasing finish. As the photos show, it stands well and looks as one expects of a classic military vehicle.
The standard feel follows on to the interior, which houses three standard front seats with deluxe matting to the footwells. The heater is still fitted with front demist, which is good to see. Even the convoy switch is still fitted – not commonly seen now. The military flyscreens are still in place, and the vent openers are also of their original galvanised finish, which is what we like to see. The rear is unfitted with the exception of a rear floor mat, but could house bench seats on request, to bring the seating to seven including the driver.
Out on the road, this vehicle drives just as a lightweight should – the petrol engine is a quiet unit, and it is evident this vehicle has been well maintained – which is backed up by the history file. It delivers a pleasing period driving experience, aided by the larger rubber to give more relaxed cruising and greater MPG.
In summary, if you are looking for a well sorted, tax and MOT exempt lightweight, then this could be for you. With original features and a pleasant driving experience, it should prove to be a solid investment for the future, whilst still proving fun to own and cheap to run.
RESERVED
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