Peter4456

The RLC Museum at Deepcut would be able to supply the Vehicle History Card and a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request to the MOD would get you the Merlin history of your vehicle. There's plenty on here about this, but let me know if you need any help or any help in translating whatever you receive!

Both questions answered perfectly in double quick time - thanks chaps!!

I wonder if anyone can help with the following questions please (it's a 1980 Series 3 FFR): Tool box in the engine bay - are the hinges at the top or bottom? (I've seen both!) What's the correct route for the windscreen washer pipes? (the washer bottle is on the wing) is the t piece in the centre of the bonnet? Thanks in advance!

Well said! You're obviously busy with restoring, but if you get the Vehicle History Card / Merlin record / DVLA registration history, let me know and I'll 'translate' them for you - you've helped me enough (without knowing it!) so I'm happy to help you!

Brilliant work - and your photos have invaluable help with the 'conservation' of my Lightweight - with work like this, I'm not calling it a restoration!

I've found on several occasions now that spending £5 with the DVLA to get your vehicle's complete registration history is money well spent. You might get a copy of the release document or perhaps info on where it was sold (Ruddington?) or the dealer that bought it. I've attached the Form V888 just in case! V888.pdf

I worked at Cobham Manor Riding Centre near Maidstone in Kent and my boss bought the Land Rover in about 1982 - he would have bought it from somewhere like Exchange & Mart, although, with the Maidstone reg no, I'm wondering if it came from Banisters . He sold the riding centre in about 1984 and moved to Cornwall taking the Land Rover with him. He must have sold it on to the garage who used it as a a recovery vehicle by 1986. I hope this ties up with any history you've got Wayne!

30 years on, it's great to see those marking emerge Wayne - when I drove the Land Rover, I don't think my boss would have been too keen on me scraping paint off but I always wondered what was under the DBG! I see traces of the 'sunshine yellow' from when it was the village recovery truck in Constantine (?) in Cornwall!

Yes, brilliant research! - it's great when the pieces of the jigsaw start coming together and thank goodness you kept those two old plates - how fragile history can be sometimes!

You're welcome! It's not uncommon for Ferrets and other British Army vehicles to have spent YEARS in storage, so it could have been at Ludgershall for the whole time, but.......the cards are not always accurate (my Land Rover Lightweight definitely went to the Gulf in 1991, but there's not mention of this in any vehicle records!). The manually competed Vehicle History Cards seem to have been replaced by the Merlin computer system in the mid 80s so there may possibly some Merlin history for your Ferret covering the Gulf War period. To obtain this, you need to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to the MOD Chief Information Officer - CIO-FIO@mod.uk - tell them what information you're after (Merlin record for your Ferret 01 CC 99) and why (private historical research). Please let us know how you get on!

Let's hope so Adrian - they can't be overrun with Sherman's, especially British ones that might have actually served with XXX Corps!

Steve, Fill in this form and send it off with a cheque for £25! B_Vehicle_Record_Enquiry_Form.pdf

Simon, Vehicle History Card translation attached! Quite an interesting history - not many of the cards go back to the 50s and cover the whole service life of the vehicle - lucky you! 01 CC 99.doc

So at the top of the radiator then? That's great thanks for your help!

I'm currently restoring my 1980 Series 3 Land Rover Lightweight 24v FFR and I have removed the radiator (it was full of mud from the previous owner's off road adventures!). As I lifted the radiator out, the two bits shown in the photo fell onto the floor and I don't know where they've come from! They're about 2" long and look like spacers of some sort but the civvy workshop manual is no help and I've not been able to locate EMERS for the Series 3 Lightweighht. Can anyone help please?

Thanks for your help guys! It's an English 1980 Series 3

The previous owner of my Lightweight was keen on off roading (mostly through deep muddy water, it seems!) and my rolling restoration is mostly cleaning off the mud that is everywhere! I want to remove the radiator and oil cooler but do I need to drain the oil first? are there any pitfalls in doing what looks like a fairly simple job? is there an EMER on oil cooler removal? Also, the hand throttle (it's a rod that sticks through the bulk head near the light switch panel) is not connected in the engine bay. It looks like the bits may be all present but does anyone have an exploded view (parts book?) of how it all goes together? Any help much apprecaited!

Andy, I can't attach this on a PM so enjoy it on here!! What a very interesting Sabre you have! All the best, 03 FD 34 (Sabre) (1).doc

I've followed your thread since the begining and it's just breathtaking - and such a shame that you have to sell it!! Perhaps a kindly lottery winner will pay for the Churchill to be restored and let you keep them both!!

Blimey! What a great reply - thanks so much!! The original seat box lids have gone (so I'm thinking they may have been the loose ones)and there is a small right angled 'retainer' at the front of the seat box (well made and neatly riveted in place). The battery box has spring clips on each side. So it looks like grey / charcoal seats then - and try and fit rubber buffers to them! Thanks again

Thanks guys - a great help and a great start to my project!

I'm new to Lightweights so can anyone answer these questions please: 1) What colour were Land Rover Lightweight seats in 1981 (black or dark grey?) 2) Does the tailgate have a chain and hasp for each section or just one for both? 3) Does anyone have a good quality photo of the Clansman 351 /352 manpack equipment fitted into a Lightweight Thanks in advance!

Just a guess, but is William Thorburn a school with a CCF that had a Ferret as a Training Aid?!

I've just bought a Land Rover Lightweight, 54 HG 82, that apparently served in the Gulf War with the Prisoner of War Guard Force (PWGF), specifically with the Royal Highland Fusiliers. I have a photo of the Land Rover in Gulf War markings which may be original and on the bonnet is '5 / 5 / 2 HQ'. I've found a photo of PWGF vehicles belonging to the Coldstream Guards with '5 / 5 / (illegible) SP'. I know it's HQ Company and Support Company but what do the other numbers mean and are they authentic? Any help gratefully received!

I obtained my friend's K9 history from Deepcut recently - I've attached the form you need. I'm sure the fee is £25 but prbbaly best to check first! B_Vehicle_Record_Enquiry_Form.pdf