Description
For sale, through JOHN BROWN 4X4 LTD, Land Rover® Lightweight in NATO Green (1973).
Petrol 2286cc. MOT & Tax Exempt. 12v. RHD. Home Market. Heritage Certificate showing build date as 22/ 06/ 1973 – dispatched on 29/ 06/ 1973 to Ashchurch Central Vehicle Depot. Released in 1984 – 5 keepers since. Genuine Mileage of 78, 090 miles – in constant use since 1984 – all old MOT’s present to verify. Pioneer Tools. Bonnet Mounted Spare. Recent Canvas. Rear Bench Seats. Cubby Box with Cupholders. Overdrive. Front & Rear Bumperettes.
Here we have for sale a Land Rover® Lightweight that stands out from the crowd, in a variety of ways – so please read the following to find out more.
Firstly, we have the Heritage certificate for this vehicle which comes with the build date, the dispatch date, the operational history and the military registration. This will be provided to the new owner, but the history does involve a stint with The Royal Horse Artillery. We then have the release notes showing constant civilian ownership from 1984 with every MOT from then up until 2018. We have the mileage on release of circa 20, 000 miles. There are also receipts for a full engine overhaul in 1984, and a gearbox overhaul in 1986. In addition to all the MOTs, there are several folders which document servicing and maintainance over the course of this period. The logbook tells us that there have been five former keepers since the release from forces and the old MOTs show us that the vehicle has been used continuously but lightly throughout this period to date… this is, in our opinion, the best way to maintain a vintage vehicle – keeping it turning over and MOT’d but only putting on small mileages each year. As a point to note, we often see adverts for Classic Land Rovers® where customers state that the mileage is genuine, only to see that they have a gap of 10+ years perhaps in the readings…. during which time, a vehicle could’ve gone “round the clock”. As this was released from service with a documented 20, 000 miles and we have all the MOTs since release, we can confidently be assured that the mileage of 78, 090 is indeed correct. This even allows for the fact that in the 11 years in service that the 20, 000 miles was correct – this is because Lightweights were generally very little used for any great distances during service.
Externally, this Lightweight has just about every period feature you’d care to want on a “good” one – the list is fairly long – 750 tyres with bonnet mounted matching spare, correct military lighting with early glass lenses, bridging plate, front and rear bumperettes, twin under arch toolboxes, recent canvas, full pioneer tool set, height adjustable tow bar with NATO pintle, defender style mirrors, free wheeling hubs, front and rear lifting eyes, etc etc. Overall, it creates a great looking Lightweight.
The interior has also survived in really good condition, the only modification being a centre cubby box for storage and a pair of cup holders. A third seat can be fitted here if required. As this is a high spec lightweight, an overdrive has been fitted with a longer lever than usual. We have left this in situ as it makes the change into fifth gear really pleasant. You will also notice it still enjoys the heater with twin front de-mist, military fly screens, tick over throttle adjustment on dash and period steering wheel with correct shrouding. The original military seat belt bar is fitted, which affords modern inertia 3 point seat belts to be used. The rear houses twin bench seats for those extra passengers, bringing seating to six people including the driver.
Out on the road, this Land Rover® Lightweight bombs along really well, aided by the larger tyres and fitted overdrive for a more relaxed cruising experience. You can really tell by the driving experience that this mileage is genuine, right down to the indicator stalk which still self-cancels after use. Unusually, this truck still has both its twin tanks in situ which work and they both have independent readings for the fuel gauge, which is also really unusual these days. With this set up, this Lightweight has a range of 500 miles between fuel stops and because the gauges work, you’d be able to get there without worry that you were going to run out of fuel! The final feather in the cap is the fact this is a RHD, 12 volt, home market, soft top Lightweight… it really is the one to have.
If you are looking for a Lightweight Land Rover® with original miles, full history, period features and surviving in fully operational condition, then this rare vehicle is certainly worthy of consideration.
Priced at £19, 995
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