Description
A particularly interesting example of the Land Rover 110, this ex-Ministry of Defence vehicle combines the highly desirable 3. 5-litre V8 petrol engine with a fascinating and unusually well-documented military service history.
The vehicle has just passed its MOT and has recently undergone a comprehensive programme of recommissioning work, including the installation of a replacement chassis, a complete repaint in period-correct NATO Green, painting of both the exterior and interior, cleaning of the soft top and a number of further smaller mechanical, electrical and cosmetic works.
The replacement chassis is a particularly significant investment and removes one of the major areas of concern when purchasing an older Land Rover. Chassis replacement is a substantial undertaking, both in terms of parts and labour, and represents a considerable amount of work and expenditure already invested in this vehicle.
Originally carrying the MOD registration 12-KJ-22 - still visible on its identification plaque alongside its chassis number - its military history has been traced from its entry into service in 1990 through to its retirement in 2000.
A Decade of MOD Service
The Land Rover was officially registered and entered MOD service on 23 January 1990. Its specification is correctly recorded as a 110 V8 petrol RHD, Medium general Service Soft Top, and given ERM 12-KJ-22. It was allocated to JSCS Ashchurch, the Joint Supply Chain Services facility responsible for receiving new military Land Rovers, fitting the required military equipment and allocating them to operational units.
On 21 May 1990, it was issued to 61 Field Support Squadron, part of the Royal Engineers. Although the MOD does not release specific operational records for individual vehicles, typical duties for a Land Rover of this type would have included transporting engineering personnel, towing compressors and generators, moving equipment and general logistical support.
On 29 March 1993, it was transferred to 36 Engineer Regiment, another Royal Engineers unit. Land Rover 110s within engineer regiments were commonly used for troop transport, site reconnaissance, engineering support and towing plant trailers. This period is particularly interesting given the activities of British Army engineering units during the early 1990s, including duties associated with Germany and deployments to the Balkans. Of particular note was 36 Engineer Regiment deploying on Operation Grapple 4 in Bosnia in 1994.
While there is no surviving documentation to confirm that this particular vehicle deployed overseas, its unit history certainly leaves open that possibility.
On 25 September 1998, the Land Rover moved to 39 Signal Regiment (V). The “V” denotes Volunteer/ Reserve service, and this is where the vehicle's specification becomes particularly intriguing. Signal units typically used vehicles for communications support, transporting radio equipment and personnel, and towing generator trailers. This is significant when considered alongside the vehicle's unusual electrical specification.
Finally, on 20 August 1999, it was transferred to the Theatre Fleet Support Unit (UK). TFSU units were responsible for managing vehicle pools and preparing vehicles for reassignment or disposal. The Land Rover subsequently left military service and was sold through British Car Auctions on 4 October 2000, entering civilian ownership after approximately a decade in MOD service.
One of the most appealing aspects of this particular Land Rover is its engine and electrical specification. Most military Land Rovers of this era were supplied with the 2. 5-litre diesel engine, whereas this example has the rarer 3. 5-litre V8 petrol engine. There are also some intriguing clues suggesting that this was not simply a standard General Service (GS) vehicle. Under the passenger seat is a 24-volt military electrical connection with wiring, together with a substantial battery box large enough to accommodate two batteries. These features are consistent with a vehicle prepared for FFR (Fitted For Radio) duties, or an FFR-ready specification. Military FFR Land Rovers were designed to provide electrical power for communications equipment requiring 24V power. The V8 was also particularly suited to this type of application, offering greater electrical capacity, smoother running for communications work and stronger performance when carrying a full load of equipment. The vehicle's subsequent allocation to 39 Signal Regiment makes this theory particularly compelling, though It is not possible to say with absolute certainty whether the vehicle was ever fully fitted out as an FFR vehicle. Either way, the surviving 24V equipment, large twin-battery compartment and V8 engine make this a particularly unusual and interesting military Land Rover. The VIN also supports the vehicle's specification:
SALL — Manufacturer: Land Rover
D — Defender/ 90/ 110 model line
H — 110-inch wheelbase
A — Utility/ soft-top/ basic military body specification
V — 3. 5-litre V8 petrol engine
7 — VIN check digit
F — 1985 VIN year code
A — Solihull assembly
415680 — Sequential production number
Military Land Rovers can have VIN year information that does not correspond directly with the date they entered MOD service, as Land Rover reused earlier VIN structures for military contracts. The documented MOD history confirms this vehicle's entry into service in January 1990.
The Land Rover has recently benefited from a significant programme of recommissioning work. Most notably, it has been fitted with a replacement chassis, representing a substantial investment in the vehicle and one of the most important pieces of work that can be undertaken on an older Land Rover.
Alongside the chassis replacement, the vehicle has received:
Complete repaint in period-correct NATO Green
Exterior painted
Interior painted
Soft top thoroughly cleaned
Various further smaller recommissioning works
Just passed its MOT
The combination of its replacement chassis and recent recommissioning means that a substantial amount of the major work required to return an older military Land Rover to sound, usable condition has already been carried out. The approach has been to preserve its character and authenticity rather than modernise it, retaining the appearance and equipment that reflect its MOD origins.
Original MOD-specification details remain in place including the correct centre-dash positioning of the military lighting switchgear, the NATO towing arrangement to the rear, original-style military bumpers and associated fittings.
Together, these details give the vehicle an authentic military appearance and help distinguish it from Land Rovers that have subsequently been converted or dressed up to look the part.
What sets this Land Rover apart is the unusually well-documented story behind its military service. Its history can be traced from JSCS Ashchurch, through the Royal Engineers, 36 Engineer Regiment and 39 Signal Regiment (V), before its final military posting with the Theatre Fleet Support Unit. In total, it spent around ten years moving between a succession of units before being released from service in 2000.
It presents very well overall for its age, although it is not being offered as a fully finished restoration. There are still various jobs and cosmetic details that could be addressed by its next owner.
The original-style leather seats would benefit from repair, while the dashboard has weathered over the years and shows some small cracks. The soft top is presentable but would ideally be replaced if the vehicle is to be made properly weatherproof and suitable for year-round use. In other words, there are still some odds and ends to finish, but nothing unexpected for its age and usage.
One note is the conversion to automatic - while a change from originality, the relaxed nature of the autobox fits nicely with the torquey nature of the V8 engine. For those seeking originality, the manual gearbox that was removed comes with the vehicle giving the next custodian the option to swap back to manual if desired.
That honesty is part of the appeal: underneath the remaining cosmetic work is a genuinely unusual V8 ex-MOD Land Rover with substantial investment already carried out, a replacement chassis and a fascinating military provenance.
