1976 Land Rover 101 Forward Control

Registration No: MEU 232P
Chassis No: 9S600SS6A
MOT: Exempt

• Entered service with the British Army in February, 1976
• Sensibly upgraded with Fairey overdrive, a 3.9-litre EFi V8 engine and a steering dampener
• Extensively improved in the last year by the vendor, including bodywork restoration and mechanical overhauls
• Demobbed from the Army in 1999 with just three owners since

The forward-control Land Rover 101 arrived in 1972 and went into front-line service in 1975; this was a purpose-built, military-only machine, designed to tow the British Army's 105mm howitzer. The 101 (so-called for its 101in wheelbase) was powered by Rover's 3.5-litre V8 petrol engine and used the transmission from the Range Rover configured for permanent four-wheel drive. There was a separate box-section chassis with beam axles front and rear, while the bodyshell was panelled in steel and aluminium. Its forward-control layout made for short overhangs, which coupled with ample ground clearance endowed the 101 with exceptional off-road capability, and with a top speed of 75mph it was fast for a military vehicle. Both right- and left-hand drive models were built, and there were versions to suit all manner of military applications. The bulk of production went to the British Army, while many found customers in the Middle East and elsewhere. Production ceased in 1978, by which time 2,669 examples had been built.

Like virtually all 101s, our example went straight into military service and was originally painted Army/N.A.T.O. Green with registration ‘65 FL 29’. From the Vehicle Depot at Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, it was transferred in April, 1976, to the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. In August, 1976, it was posted to the 1st Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment, and later served with the Infantry Demonstration Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and various others until it was allocated for disposal in 1997.

After demobilisation, the 101 was purchased by a skip-hire company and placed in their yard as a promotional vehicle. Several upgrades have been effected during its life, including installing a 3.9-litre EFi Rover V8, Fairey overdrive, a steering dampener, larger tyres, and conversion to run on both petrol or LPG. The vendor, who is only the third keeper since demobilisation, acquired it in 2024 and immediately refurbished it. Besides the unmissable repaint, he also overhauled the axles, renovated the wheels, renewed the steering joints and re-applied a protective chassis coating as required. The work cost over £3,000, and since completion the vendor has enjoyed off-roading on the moors and attending classic car events including the Donington Historic Festival. The 101 is offered for sale with the current V5C, a previous MOT certificate, the army movement history, a 1999 dating letter from the Museum of Army Transport, and some spares.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452