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| 公司收藏品 | Historic Classic Car Collected by Us | |
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Historic Vehicles story By Victor Ma T-L 1/10/2008
1980 Land Rover Light weight FFR GS Version
Model: Land Rover Light weight FFR half-Ton radio fully Air-portable Version. ( 1965-1985 )
Body Style: Open body (door, rear body side well and rear door can take off easily for sky drop )
Construction: Ladder chassis with pick up body
Engine: 2.3 L 4 cylinder 24V water proof engine ( most are 12 volt version )
Transmission: 4 speed manual part time 4wd with Hi, Lo Range
Suspension: leaf spring & with shocks all around.
Brake: 4 wheel drum brake
Max speed: 105 Km/h
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History:
Rover is one of the very old British car manufacturers in 1877, they build the bicycle & build motor cycle at 1903, & a 8 hp automobile.
After WWII British without a small 4X4 Off Road Vehicle, they copy the MB/GPW Jeep with a centre steering wheel and a small Rover P3 1.6L Engine. This was the Land Rover prototype. The Land Rover saw the light of day at the Amsterdam Motor Show in April 1948,That year British motor industry was pushing desperately for exports and unveiling its first truly new postwar product in the attempt to get them.
The first production model was a brand new strong box girder chassis with a expensive aluminium body, a simple open pick up type with a canvas hood and a estate model were offered a few months after quantity production began at the Solihull factory in July 1948. eighty 80 inch wheel base, 4 wheel leaf suspension, power by a F-head 1595cc petrol 4 cylinder engine ( same as Rover P3 car's motor )part time 4wd system with Hi and Low range and PTO for agricultural and industry us as well.
This Series I Land Rover began its military career with the British Army in 1949 and had test in the Korean War. The Land Rover Series I went on to become the British Army's standard quarter-ton 4x4 light vehicle, But at same time Austin got a Champ 4x4 small fiend car at market as well.
In 1952 the small 1.6 motor was replaced by a 2-L petrol engine ( because it is too under power.) and a new 107 inch long wheel base model push to the market, in 1954 eighty 80 inch wheel base was replaced by a new eighty six 86 inch wheel chassis.
In February 1958 the Series II was introduced in both 88 inch and 107 inch wheel base with a 2.25 petrol engine, or a 2.25 Diesel motor. This was the first diesel model for 4x4 in the Europe market, But it is a not reliable diesel, The 3 V heater plug very easy out of service, in Winter the engine is not easy to start. In 1958 a new Series II pick up was introduced on a 109 inch long wheel base.
The Series IIA introduced in September 1961. a minor modification with the 2.25L 4 cylinder engine. a large No of Land Rover 4x4 off road vehicle been export to every where in the world. But at the same time , Japanese powerful 4.0L 6 cylinder 4x4 at market too. At early 1967 a new 2.6L 6 cylinder engine was offered on a long wheel base model. In 1966 Land Rover developed the 564 KG air - portable military vehicle prototype. ( easy for helicopter lifting )
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This was the first 24V SWB Land Rover with Water proof ignition elec. system.( Before only LWB one ton Military model got 24V water proof ignition electric system and the chassis is a high leg model and axle were more strong than the Civilian model.)
In the same time Land Rover was design a much larger size vehicle, which looks like a full size lightweight, but it is use 1 ton Series IIB 110 chassis with a 2996cc 6 cylinder gas motor and can put a power trailer (6x6), but only 2-3 prototype been made for test. The Spanish Co Metalurgica de Santa Ana SA produced this kind of Vehicle for Spanish Army at end of 70s.
The STD Light weight with a new alloy made body, a willys type front wings fitted at front, early model head light at middle, all door, side body, window etc can be very easy remove, a Radio Table set can put at back easily for the 24V FFR GS( fitted for Radio ) version, This new car having been developed to meet specific military requirement from overseas customers. All axle are more strong than Civilian 88 a lot.( The light weight got 12V and 24V petrol version and optional diesel 24V model ) The lightweight was a popular choice with the Royal Marines, Because of the FFR with a fully waterproofed petrol model. This vericle were used in airportability trials with various aircraft ,This vehicle also use for sky drop too, all doors, rear side body, rear door and front spare tire, engine hood can be very easy remove, this can make the car got 2500 LBS weight only, The 24 V FFR model with all radio equipment and table weight at 3100 LBS, this is why the car need light weight and heavy duty than other Land Rover. This expensive military SWB lightweight used by the following Country only: Great Britain , Algeria, (Morrattab and Santana), Belgium, Brunei, Croatia ( EX-Dutch ),Egypt (Miltar), Guyana, Indonesia, Iran (Morattab), Jamaica, Libya, Morocco (Miltar), Netherlands, Oman, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia (EX-Dutch), Spain (Miltar), Sudan, Uganda, Hong Kong and Denmark ( most 2.25 Diesel 24V model ).
1971 the lightweight head lamp move to the front side wing.
Until end of 70s,more than 100 Country use Land Rover 88 & 109, not because all the Land Rover was the best at market, or reliable or most powerful, but they must use British car like HK .British got too many colony at that time. The Land Rover Gas & Diesel Engine is very small, & Diesel is not reliable,
Axle half shaft is not strong enough. At 1980 Series III got a optional 3.5 V8 gas motor, This motor and full time 4wd gear box same as 1970 Range Rover. 1981 Lightweight use heavyduty heavy duty half shaft with independent hub cap like the 109 model. Until 1983 New 110 use Range Rover coil spring suspension & full time 4X4 system replaced civilian series III 109. Military 109 24V and lightweight still made until 1985. The last one with 05 KD 65 Army Reg. No. Until today the new Defender still use the 1983 110 chassis, just with a new 5 speed or a 6 speed gear box and a 2.5 TDI motor.
Defender also got a 93 inch wheel base ( 90 model )and a 127 inch wheel base. ( 130 model ) at mid 80s and early 90s.
The one we got is a 1980 light weight with FFR 24V GS model, this car service in HK since 1980 but because of it is a reserve stock car, ( spare Vehicle ) the vehicle got 8500 mile on the clock, when I got it at 1997, the car inside like brand new condition, still got a Unitary Radio Station Table and I believe it is the best light weight in Hong Kong. I'd love to know if any one remember anything about this 53 HG 48 when it service in Hong Kong before 1997.Between 1996-1997 many good condition Light weight and FC 101 packed inside wooden box at Kowloon Bay and ship back to UK. The 05 KD 63 was one of the last Lightweight model service in HK, but now you can see it at UK. The First production RHD FFR GS model CXC 212G was retained by Rover for trials, it is now in the USA. I remember when i am young, a lot of light weight GS and FC 101 GS service at British Army, Many Light weight and FC101 shipped to Falkland at 1982 and most never come back to HK any more. When I was16 years old, I got my first FFR light weight 10 FM 99 from HK army, it cost HK$5000-6500 + renew and Duty to pay Transport dept, Total may under HK$18000(1986),the second is a 12V light weight, we through the 2.25L powerless 12V non water proof motor and put a used SD 22 Nissan mini bus diesel motor. When I am 17 years old, I got my first FC 110 (series IIB) Forward Control 24 FK 53 , only 2 in HK service at Royal Air Force at Kam Tin military air port ,
Both were double cab fire engine. I remember another one destroyed by Army themselves by Gun action test training at Pak Nai near BBC at Tsang Tsui Nim Wan at Yuen Long before auction. At same year, I got my first FC 101 than Bedford 4x4 MK 4 tonnes truck with PTO winch and a 1969 LWB 109 Series 11A with a capstan winch ------. At 1991 I got my first 110 5 door wagon, and I through a 2.5 Gas motor and order a brand new 2.5 Diesel Turbo motor from Tunner Co in UK. At 1994 I bought a FC 101 radio bodied in UK and through the 3.5 V8 and put a Nissan SD 33 powerful diesel turbo motor inside. This vehicle is RHD with a PTO winch and ship back to HK at same year.1997 I got my first 300 TDI Defender 90 ,1980 Serier III 109 3 door wagon with 2.25 diesel motor and also this 1980 Lightweight ------ Now I got a 1980 Series III 88 , 1980 Lightweight GS FFR model , a 1982 Series III 109 24V model , a 1987 Defender 110 Aussie 6x6 3.9 TD and a 2006 Defender 110 TD5. I believe my 1978 Diesel Lightweight exported to African already at 1993, The 1974 FC 101 GS model exported to China, all MK 4wd bedford exported to Pakistan, The Diesel Radio body 24V FC 101 still at a Land Rover collectors hand in HK. Mr. Morris Ho also got a hard top SWB 88 and few defender.The1969 109 series IIA 24V, 1974 24V Lightweight,1972 Series IIB Fire service Vanished unfortunately.
My first memory of Land Rover in the picture, the back ground was the sand sea ( Sahari Desert ) and Jungle. Some civilian round the world Expedition Item or some civil LWB model 5 door wagon and some military LWB topless Pink Panther. Than when I move to Hong Kong at 9 years old from Shanghai , I saw many Land Rover service at British Army .Also some series IIA, series III 88 and 109 use by Royal Hong Kong Police and HK fire Dept HQ.
The light weight FFR model is a very strong Military model.
The Iraqi conflict saw the final War in which the British Army's lightweight was in active service, All Lightweight off after Gulf War. 2000 near all twenty years old Light weight replaced by Mercedes G.Peugeot P4,Auverland A3,Sovamag TC 10,Defender,HMMWV (Miltary Hummer H1 )Today not many very good original condition 24V FFR model lightweight at market. If you got a British military vehicle, you want to know some history about your vehicle, use Army registration or asset number, try contacting the Museum of British Army Transport in Beverly, at East Yorkshire. If you got some PTO winch or mechanically Winch, Hydraulic winch, AG Rover ( 110 tractor ) power trailer rare accessories etc just email us, shipping is not a problem ,we will pay the fright too.
If you like to buy a EX Army vehicle, try to call Alan Chow, he got many EX Army Land Rover in Yuen Long.
If you got a Ex Army Vehicle in HK need repairing, mechanically service or put a free Wheel Hub over drive, PTO, water proof plug system at 12V motor or a good suspension etc , Our Co can look after your classic military Land Rover, Old military Land Rovers are often very low price,( price between HK$ 78000-88000 Inc Duty and Reg. in HK already. some at civilian hand with many non OE parts Vehicle may drop to HK$ 40000-60000 only.) but they are pretty ragged when sold by the Army before 1997,Because British Army in HK did not to buy the new Defender, and they use many used parts for their Vehicle to repair other vehicle, before sold to the public, they take off all good used parts they want, and put back the broken parts or even not a complete vehicle and now most of them packed at Yuen Long open area for more than 10 years, OE series III Military parts are not easy to buy in HK at this few year. Call us at 2395 4142 or email us at fourwdco@yahoo.com if you need help to rebuild your Series III military as new condition, This is the most low price Military collection that also can drive at week end in Hong Kong.
2009 my lightweight will fit a rare Classic Mayflower heavy duty PTO winch, the flange both on the front and rear of PTO unit, this means it can run front and rear equipment, such as front winch and rear power trailer etc. This is a very heavy duty PTO winch, same as use at British army lightweight at 1967. I will fit 2 ARB air lock for this off road vehicle as well.
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| Santana Military 109 looks like lightweight, but big a lot. |
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| This was a 1947 Land Rover Prototype. It was base on a MB jeep chassis. middle steering with a front capstan winch. Jeep two piece combat wheel fitted. |
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| Today no body believe at WWII British did not have British made small 4x4, lot of MB/GPW use by British army. |
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| This is a Willys MB/GPW Jeep after skydrop test, all chassis, body Broken. Everyone stands around looking excited. British army want have a skydrop small off road vehicle at that time. |
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| 1949 Austin build a 4x4 off road vehicle, it got Mk 5A water proof gas motor, this motor build by Rolls-Royce with a 5 speed gear box, power direct to the rear axle first and with a unitary construction body with 4 wheel independent suspension. a snorkel was STD. This British small 4x4 call Champ but the cost is too expensive, and the car is little heavy. |
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| 1949 Austin build a 4x4 off road vehicle, it got Mk 5A water proof gas motor, this motor build by Rolls-Royce with a 5 speed gear box, power direct to the rear axle first and with a unitary construction body with 4 wheel independent suspension. a snorkel was STD. This British small 4x4 call Champ but the cost is too expensive, and the car is little heavy. |
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