Highlights
- Rare 101 Ambulance Forward Control
- The back has been fully converted into a comfortable 2 berth camper
- A true head turner
- Bespoke stainless steel exhaust with remote valves
- One of a kind
The Appeal
Land Rover is known for making some of the most popular off-road civilian vehicles, but only a handful will have ever seen, let alone been in, a 101 Forward Control. Only available for military use, the 101 was not released into the market until they were decommissioned.
This example has lived an extraordinary life. It spent its working life in Germany and has since been repatriated into the UK and turned into a totally unique camper. You really won’t see another one like this.
The History and Paperwork
- The 101 rolling chassis was built by Land Rover in Solihull
- It was then sent down to Marshalls of Cambridge where it received its ambulance body
- The vendor informs us that only around 450 Ambulance 101s were produced
- After leaving the factory it was stationed in Gloucester where it remained until 1982
- This 101 then finds its way to Germany where it serves on two RAF bases: Bruggen, and Gutersloh as a Crash Rescue vehicle
- In October 1992 the vehicle is decommissioned and auctioned off, this is documented by an MOD certificate
- Beginning its civilian life, it ends up losing the ambulance interior and was converted into a rudimentary camper
- In 2014 it ends up with its current owner, a carpenter who removed the previous owner’s efforts, replacing them with a very unique and bespoke interior
- The bodywork was sanded, etched, primed and resprayed in military grade NATO black paint
- All of the accompanying invoices have been photographed and can be found in the gallery
- Although the truck is registered as road tax and MOT exempt, the current owner has still continued with MOT testing for reassurance
- The last MOT expired in August 2022
- The vendor purchased a ‘Birth Certificate’ from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust confirming the vehicle’s age for tax and MOT exemption
The Interior
- Many original features
- Spacious living section in the rear
- Copious storage space
- Gas hob, sink, 12V tap, chemical toilet, and double bed
- Professionally installed split charge leisure battery system
If you like vehicles that create a sense of occasion at every opportunity, then you’ll love the interior of this 101. Firstly, to get in you need to swing the door open, climb on the wheel hubs, and settle into the tiger print seats.
Once in the cabin, you will be instantly met with all of the original dials and toggles that were fitted for its use in the military. Most notably there are switches labeled ‘Infrared’ and ‘Flashing Beacon’ both are leftovers from the 101’s past life. These are always cool to see and will bring endless amusement to your passengers.
This 101 also features hinged door tops, creating large apertures which really help with airflow through the cabin on hotter days.
Behind the cab we are presented with the best aspect of this 101, the bespoke living quarters. If we start towards the front, you will find the bed/table section. During the day you can have this area set up as seating space, there should be space to comfortably seat four adults, plus a few smaller ones.
Lowering the table down will create the space for the cushions to go down and you then have your bed. The current owner is about 6’ 6” and they can lay out flat across it.
Moving further back you will find the storage and cooking space. On the worktops, you will find the sink and draining board on one side, with the twin burner gas cooker on the other.
The sink is fed with clean water from a container under it, these both feed out of the truck through a grey waste pipe. On the other side, the cooker is fed by a gas bottle safely stowed in the cabinet below. Within the remaining cabinets, you will find a pull-out draw for crockery and cutlery, and on the opposite side, you’ll also find a chemical toilet on heavy duty slide-out runners.
The living space is fed with power from a professionally installed split charge leisure battery system, consisting of two 120Ah batteries (wired in series), and linked to a 120W solar panel on the roof with a dual LED internal battery monitor. USBs are dotted around the interior along with 12v cigarette lighter style points too. Power is also fed to a few of the original ambulance lights set into the roof.
To make this section totally unique it has been finished in a colour combination that makes it feel like you’re stepping into the mystery machine.
You won’t find anything else like this out there, so why not pick up this one of a kind example and take it on your next big camping adventure?
The Exterior
- Repainted NATO black
- Off-road tyres
- Cabover design results in smaller footprint than you’d expect
The outside of this Land Rover will certainly turn a few heads, almost everyone that passed during the photo shoot had a look at it sitting there. Although it may look big, you’ll find out that the footprint is actually relatively small.
You may have heard of modern Defenders being referred to as a 90 or 110, this denotes the length of the chassis in inches. The overall length is just over 4 metres, making it about as long as a VW Golf, although it is a little bit wider.
The exterior of this 101 is presented in a condition where you can tell it’s been used and loved. You will find a few marks across the paintwork, but we think this patina adds to the vehicle’s character. As a 45 year-old vehicle, there are certainly some areas that could be tidied up, but we think it presents remarkably well for its age.
Like the interior, there are a few original features, such as the ambulance red cross on both sides and the rear doors. It also retains the side lockers where you’ll now find the leisure battery set up. Towards the rear, you will find the twin barn doors that swing open and lock into place on the side of the truck. To get into the rear cabin a set of stairs folds down neatly and provides a stable platform to get into the rear.
On the roof, you shall find the solar panel. You can access the roof section through a porthole opening in the rear cabin.
The Mechanics
- Retains the original Rover V8
- Bespoke stainless steel exhaust
- A new fuel tank was fitted a few years ago
Nestled in between the driver and passenger up front is the engine, this engine in question being the legendary Rover V8. This V8 provides ample power and torque to drive all four wheels along the road nicely. This power is then fed through a manual gearbox which is surprisingly easy to use, and when you find a bit of challenging terrain you can change it to low range.
To let the V8 breathe a bit better, it's fitted with a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system that has remote operated valves - offering control over the level of noise The soundtrack can be instantly changed in favour of a deep roar that announces your arrival well before you turn up.
Overall, this Land Rover’s running gear is in great condition. It has the usual slight drips of oil, but nothing untoward for a Land Rover of this vintage. On the road, there is nothing quite like it and it will never fail to bring a smile to your face.
Summary
Well, what’s not to love about this unique beast? Not only is it incredibly rare, but it is also completely kitted out for any adventure you can think of. All of the hard work to turn it into a camper has already been done.
It is possibly one of the quirkiest Land Rovers out there, you may never see something like this come up for sale again.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
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