1972 Land Rover 88 Lightweight
Extensive restoration recently completed

Registration No: LFL 369L
Chassis No: 95100686A
MOT: Exempt

• Subject to an extensive restoration that only recently completed
• Finished in the correct hue of NATO Green satin paintwork to a very high standard
• Nicely detailed and presented very well
• Started readily and ran well during the recent consignment

The smallest Land Rover available at the time was a Series IIA 88 inch wheelbase, which was too heavy. A new modification to the basic Series IIA was devised by making many body components easily detachable and removing many non-essential items. The result was the Land Rover Half-Ton, known widely as the Lightweight or Airportable. In practice, to reduce weight sufficiently for the helicopters of the day to lift them in combat conditions, the tilt and sticks, the upper parts of the body, the doors and windscreen were removed, to be refitted later. The most significant change, however, was a reduction in width by four inches, by redesigning the standard Series IIA axles and fitting shorter half-shafts, which meant it would fit on a standard pallet. Complete, the Lightweight IIA weighed 1202 kg, over the specified weight and heavier in fact than a 'standard' Land Rover. The term Lightweight was, therefore, confusing. However, with the removable body panels taken-off it was below the limit. Since improvements to the helicopters meant more lift was available, the Ministry of Defence accepted it for use. Production continued until 1984.

Chassis ‘95100686A’ was supplied new to the military in 1972, understood to have been retained by them until 1986 when the Lightweight was road registered. Passing through the hands of three keepers before being acquired by the vendor in 2019, the Land Rover was partially restored but required completion upon purchase. Since then, the Land Rover has undergone a comprehensive restoration throughout, the final stages of which were completed at the start of this year, including new rear springs (correct for Lightweights) and shock absorbers, a new carburettor, and an interior retrim in the correct Black vinyl.

The restoration has focused on using new old stock panels where possible and ‘LFL 369L’ has been painted in the correct hue of NATO Green satin paintwork to a very high standard. Under bonnet areas, as well as the interior and rear load bed are nicely detailed, with stainless fixings used where possible, as well as all new brake lines throughout. The electric system has benefitted from a full new wiring loom which has been correctly fitted through the chassis. This was complemented by new lights and bezels all round and a dashboard refresh, including the troublesome capillary oil temperature gauge system.

Mechanically the vendor informs that the 2.25 engine functions as it should and is painted in ‘Duck Egg Blue' as most of the Military reconditioned engines were. The ignition system has been upgraded to electronic breaker-less and all new plugs/leads. The vendor informs that the gearbox, transfer box, and four-wheel drive system are all excellent and that the wheels and tyres are of the period correct 6.50x16 size including the bonnet-mounted spare. Starting readily and running well during the recent consignment, this very well presented Lightweight is a rare chance to acquire a comprehensively restored example with nice attention to detail.

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