matchlesswdg3

In my search for a Lightweight L/R, came across this one currently on eBay that really does have EVERYTHING! Must have driven through the War & Peace stalls with its bodywork covered in glue! And inside as well! Now its not really fair to decry someone else's obviously keen efforts, and if he/she likes it then that is all that matters. Maybe I should buy it and strip it down as you could open a military stall with the bits bolted onto this Landie. Someone needs to whisper in his ear.."less is more". https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Lightweight-24v-ffr-1980-Series-3-military/114280951981?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Some batches of Minervas DID have curved front wings, eg those supplied to the Belgian police.

Surely this has to be a bargain? A fully kitted out ready to roll smart Green Goddess in AFS livery. People complain about the lack of affordable vehicles as a first entry - this HAS to be one.....as long as you have somewhere to put it! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bedford-rlhz-military-vehicle/402257971276?hash=item5da871884c:g:Ul8AAOSwvHlet~xB

I have a very nice (almost mint) MT350 motorcycle that is complete with toolbox, gunbox and panniers and in original condition. Its 1994, 3 previous owners, 17,800 miles recorded and MoT to December 2020 (no advisories). It also comes with a spare brand new fork assembly that alone retails for £600-800. The picture shows it with a non-standard top box that has been removed. Nice registration ending "TNT"!! I am looking for £2750 but intending to re-invest in a Lightweight Land Rover or similar, so am interested in a PX. A straight sale is fine too.

Well, he SAYS its ex-FI. It certainly looks the part in all its scabrous glory! £3500 on FaceAche Marketplace, in Kent, although there is no V5c and one wonders what the underpinnings look like. Gawd its so UGLY, I love it. Would be a shame to restore it - shoot it? Bury it with honours?

Nice! Such a refreshing change from all those Screaming Eagles wannabees!

Its insurance renewal time again. I am with Footman James at present, but I wonder if anyone has any recommends for good value insurance (not necessarily the cheapest - accounting for good service as well!).

Thanks, Richard! I was advised on another forum that all you need to do is pull out the sticks from the tub and squeeze them inward so they slide down into the tub. That also angles down the rainwater channels so that the tallest part remains the windscreen plus a couple of cm for the front tilt securing bar. Thats a 5 minute job and gives the required clearance.

Thanks. Problem is its a low door and belongs to the Council so am stuck with it, but looks like it will shimmy under with partial tilt collapse.

Yes, but I can let air out so I have a few cm to play with there. But someone has advised me that its a 5 min job to lower the back temporarily to screen height. So can any kind person give me the height to the top of the windscreen? (and your tyre size) Thanks!1

I have a vertically challenged up and over door on my lockup garage. Will a Lightweight Land Rover fit? The height I have to clear the door is 1.81m and I know that is about 0.15m too low according to the max dimensions listed on the net. But is it possible to partially dismantle the tilt - lower the load bay hoops - and have clearance? I know I could dismantle the lot - rainwater channels over doors, lower screen, etc, but that is a heck of a job just to get it in and out. What is the lowest height that can be easily achieved with a bit of quick spanner work? Can some kind soul measure up on their truck for me? I would be v grateful. Thanks!

Thanks! Yes I considered that and have spoken to the owner who contacted me before he put it on the market (appreciated), but I think his pricing is optimistic for a 24V. The MoT history is illuminating. The advert says it has been "meticulously" looked after and the underpinnings are "solid" (that weasel word!). Look at the 2019 MoT, though! It makes you wonder! Repair immediately (major defects): Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a)) Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii)) Offside Rear Rear fog lamp missing (4.5.1 (a) (ii)) Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced cross member/bumper (6.1.1 (c) (i)) Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i)) Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.3.6 (a) (i)) Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Indeed - and the "solid chassis and bulkhead"..........!!

Indeed there are a few and one or two even look fairly presentable and/or not ridiculous money. Also, finding one somewhere in the South East of England seems pretty hard! Do they head for the North in old age?!

Lightweight/Airportable Land Rover wanted in good running and original condition.

I have had my eye on a FFR Land Rover Lightweight, but its way up in Freckleton nr Blackpool and I am in Kent. It has been up for sale for a while and from the pics it looks OK - by no means perfect, but looks sortable and the owner makes the right noises. Is there a kind soul up in that area to have a look at it for me? I will check with the friendly owner before any visit and it seems to be garaged in a nice open area so safe in these COVID days. As you know, one person's idea of "rust free" is not necessarily another's! PM me if you can help. Many thanks.

Assuming its well sorted in the first place, how easy is maintaining and living with a Champ? Most of us have had a Land Rover at some stage and those are easy enough to manage, but is a Champ challenging?

Have you seen this one on eBay. A rough diamond? Or a rough money pit?! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alvis-Stalwart/324166463074?hash=item4b79d3ae62:g:00YAAOSwHLtevak5

I did contact one of the dealers mentioned in that advert, thanks. Plenty of stock but they are in Holland and what with viewing (even if not impossible) and transport, that adds another £2k to the dealer price. I always prefer something from a knowledgeable private owner who has run and cared for the vehicle.

Have you tried AMC Classic Spares? Not sure if the G3 non-panel was a standard pre-war pattern - or even carried on post-war. Stephen Surbey at AMC would know if you don't. Good luck!

In searching for a decent vehicle to buy, how often do you come across the above description? Its one of my pet hates and I wish owners would not use the term "solid" to describe the condition of the underpinnings. What does it mean? Solid metal? Solid rust? Yes, the bits you can see ARE solid or you cannot see them! Its open to abuse for sure and in my experience IS often abused. An honest factual description would be welcome and if the state of chassis, etc really needs investigation by potential buyers, say so! In the meantime, I just interpret "solid" as "quite possibly riddled with rot - beware". Its often interesting to check out the MoT history (if available, and only up to a couple of years ago in most cases now) of a prospective purchase to find vehicles described as exemplary have a murky past! Caveat emptor, etc, but I wonder how many new entrants to the hobby are caught out by a first purchase that turns out to be an unroadworthy (and hence illegal and uninsurable) rotbox; which is now more likely since MoT's are a thing of the past for all but the newfangled MVs.

Hummer?

Interesting that we were told by the folk that used my particular MV in the Normandy campaign was that the first thing they did was to paint out the bonnet star! Seems some thought the emblem was too good a target, which is kind of contrary to the scurrilous saying of those days that if the Germans flew over, the Allies ducked; if the British flew over, the Germans ducked; and if the Yanks flew over, everyone ducked!

Thanks for that heads up! Other end of the country from me, alas, which makes it tricky in these silly times.

Looking for an M38A1; must be in good original and on-the-road condition.