Land Rover Specialist Conversions
For many years, Land Rovers have provided an ideal platform for specialist conversions. This has given rise to some weird and wonderful designs and for some, worldwide reputations. Below are just some of the applications not already mentioned on their own pages. If I get more info on these, they will each get their own page.
The Hover Rover
The Vickers-Armstrong Company built the Hover Rover in 1962. Vickers had started hovercraft development in 1961, and Hover Rover was developed in parallel with their first big hovercrafts. Technically a 'cushion craft', the Hover Rover, based around a Series II 109 pickup, was developed to minimise ground pressure, allowing the vehicle to traverse boggy terrain. The main problem was that it required two engines, vastly reducing the payload capacity. Although the hover cushion supported much of this extra weight, it was still a problem for conventional road operation. (The skirt could be raised for road use). The Hover Rover was never developed further, although for a few years Vickers used it as a promotional device for their larger hovercrafts. In 1966 Vickers-Armstrong's and Westland Aircraft's hovercraft activities were merged to form the British Hovercraft Corporation.
Vickers Hover Rover
'Shell' Land Rover
Built for Shell Oil Company in 1963 for use in Alaska during exploration of possible pipeline routes, this Land Rover was fitted with special wheels and tyres that would enable it to cross the vast Tundra. Under the rear floor was a PTO driven air compressor, allowing the driver to inflate the tires from 2PSI to 20PSI. To steer the enormous tires, a Garrison power-steering system was fitted. In front was a Koenig PTO winch. The cost of the tyres and wheels alone was more than the then current retail price of the Land Rover.
'Shell' Land Rover
'Iceland' Land Rover
This Defender model pictured in Iceland is of a similar if more modern configuration to the 'Shell' Land Rover, and is used for winter cross country work in Iceland.
'Iceland' Land Rover - Pic by Sean McCargo
Ibex
The Ibex, built by Foers Engineering is an off-road optimised conversion based on Defender 90 running gear. The overhang is shortened and many of the body panels are changed, giving a new appearance that maximises those entry and departure angles. A fire appliance version of this machine was also built, called the Firefly Ibex, or 'Firebex'.
Tomcat
Tomcats are Land Rover based vehicles, with over 700 Tomcats built since Drew Bowler designed them. All Tomcats are built using the original vehicle chassis from the Land Rover, Range Rover or Discovery.
Tomcat Motorsport was formed in 2001 to take over production of the Tomcat vehicle from Drew Bowler when he moved to concentrate on the renowned Bowler Wildcat. Almost immediately 2 new models were developed and added to the range, expanding it to 5 distinct vehicles.
The 93 was developed to use the popular Land Rover 90 chassis, mainly for use in the challenge events, while the all-new 106 is aimed at high speed competitive events, using front or rear engine.
Visit their website at www.tomcatmotorsport.co.uk
Tomcat
Bowler Wildcat / Nemesis
The original Bowler Wildcat has now been replaced with the Bowler Nemesis, a Range Rover Sport based machine. However it is like no RR sport you've seen before!
Visit their website at www.bowler-offroad.com
Bowler Nemesis
Dakar
The Dakar is a kit car based on the Range Rover classic. It retains most of the original mechanics and the chassis is shortened. The body is made of Kevlar. The car weighs only 1500 kg and, as the chassis is shortened, has almost no front and rear overhang. Length: 3.71 m (RR: 4.56m), width: 1.81m (RR 1.89m)
The AA One Ton
In about 1970-71 the Automobile Association had this kneeling car transporter built using the cab and running gear of a IIA 1-ton. More information on this would be much appreciated.
AA One Ton
Series IIa 'Pink Panther'
In 1968 The MoD bought 72 Series IIa 109's, officially known as Truck, General Service, 3/4 Ton, or FV 18064, which they had adapted for use by the British Army's Special Air Service (SAS) in the desert. These vehicles were designed for long distance reconnaissance and special operation missions. Previously they had been using the 88 inch Land Rover for their operations and in the late 1960s they were looking for a bigger load carrier. In 1968, Marshalls of Cambridge were commissioned to convert a 109 inch Land Rover for desert duties. Four fuel tanks allowed a capacity of 100 gallons to be carried. Heavier duty chassis, springs, sand tyres, guards to the diffs and a specially mounted spare wheel were also fitted. The doors and windscreen were removed. Equipment included a general-purpose machine gun, anti-tank weapon, rifles, grenade holders, smoke canisters and navigation equipment such as a theodolite and compasses. When fully loaded with fuel, weapons, and other kit, the vehicle weighed in excess of 3 tonnes. They were delivered in standard bronze green, but many were repainted in a hand-mixed pink colour, which at that time was believed to be the best camouflage in the desert. Hence they soon became known as ‘Pink Panthers’. Although the Series IIa version is the most famous, similar vehicles based on the Series III 109" and 110 vehicles have also been used. In the Gulf War the 110 versions proved invaluable, as they even outperformed the specially equipped Hummers. So much so, that the US Rangers have also procured 110-based vehicles for a similar role. The nickname of "Pinkies" stuck on them even though the new ones are no longer painted in that colour.
SAS IIa Pink Panther.
Desert Patrol Vehicle
A more modern version of the Pink Panther.
US Army Ranger Special Operations Vehicle (RSOV)
The Ranger Special Operations Vehicle is a Land Rover design that was introduced after the Gulf War. Produced by Land Rover's SVO (Special Vehicle Operations), the RSOV was designed as a rapid defensive fighting platform. The RSOV is used not as an assault vehicle, but as a method for rapidly applying forces to key locations in the battlefield. Impressed with its capabilities, the US Rangers bought 60 vehicles and dubbed them the Ranger Special Operations Vehicle. Designed with a crew of three in mind, the RSOV carries a driver, gunner, and Leader/gunner. It has a top mount that can be used to mount one of five different weapons (M-60, M240, M2 .50 cal heavy machine gun, Mk19 grenade launcher). There is also a mount for a machine gun in the passengers side seat and capabilities to carry AT-4 or RAAWS (Ranger Anti-Armor Weapon System), which is the 84mm Carl Gustav recoilless Rifle. The Rangers have three main types of RSOV, the weapons carrier, Medical vehicle, or Communications vehicle. As a weapons carrier it can carry up to 8,000 lbs and six fully armed Rangers. Based on the 110 Land Rover Chassis, the RSOV is powered by a four cylinder turbocharged engine with plenty of power and torque for hauling loads around the battlefield. It is compact enough to fit inside a CH-47 Chinook (as well as European EH-101 helicopter) and C-130 Hercules cargo plane and can be sling-loaded underneath Chinooks or Blackhawks.
US Army Rangers RSOV.
Help us with our research!
If you can help us out with more information on any of these vehicles, please do so. You can contact us at admin@lr-mad.co.uk.
