6x4 and 6x6 - Range Rover and Discovery
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- Category: 6x4 and 6x6
- Last Updated on Sunday, 16 October 2011 12:26
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Range Rover
The left-hand picture shows a P38 Range Rover 6x6. This vehicle was available as a specialist vehicle from Jankel Group.
There's also an open top 'hunting' version. (Right-hand picture)
The picture above shows a Carmichael TACR 2a Rapid Intervention Vehicle
The picture below shows the very first Range Rover Commando Conversion.
'Commando' is the generic name for six wheel chassis vehicles based on the original Range Rover. Land Rover built the Range Rover Commando cab / chassis, and Land Rover approved companies fitted out these vehicles to their intended use. Amongst these companies were HCB Angus, Gloster Saro and Carmichael. The Gloster Saro chassis had extra strengtheners welded on certain points of the chassis. The chassis were built by Land Rover until the late 1980's, though other companies also built 6x6 Range Rover chassis and vehicles.
Commando:
This is the original 6x4 vehicle based on the early two door model. Some of these vehicles were used by Fire services as Rescue Tenders. Most were produced for Airport fire services as RIVs (Rapid Intervention Vehicles) and fitted with roof mounted foam nozzles. Many are still in use today.
TACR 2
The early TACR 2 was a two door conversion configured as a four door for the Ministry of Defence for RIV duties on it's many airfield sites in both the UK and abroad. The requirement for a four door version to carry more crew meant that builders such as HCB Angus and Gloster Saro had to completely fabricate a four door vehicle. This was done by shortening the front doors and making up the rear doors from scratch. These vehicles can be recognised by the large vertical door handle to the rear of the front door edge and the chrome handle on the top edge of the rear door. Also the door windows are of the non-standard type as they slide in two parts rather than wind down as normal. The engine was the standard 3.5 litre Rover V8 fitted with twin carbs.
TACR2a
When the official four door version arrived a further order was placed by the Ministry of Defence to be built by Carmichael. These later versions had some differences, notably:
The 3.5 litre Rover fuel injected engine, tubular type crash bar (fitted to the last batch of 80 or so), blue repeater lamps fitted in the grille and longer hose retaining flaps on each side.
SMC Sahara Six
SMC of Bristol launched their Sahara Six - a six wheeled Range Rover conversion back in 1974.
SMC Sahara 6 Range Rover conversion
Range Rover Six Wheeler pictures
Carmichael Commando Range Rover Conversion.
The very last Scottorn 6x6 Range Rover - more on that here.
(Picture above © David Webber - www.barnhill4x4.com)
Discovery
Whilst not strictly entirely a Discovery, this vehicle is very interesting nonetheless. An ex-Carmichael Commando RIV, it now has now a Discovery body, completed late 2006. It has a 1994 body and interior (with 2002 front and rear end!), 1994 R380 5-speed manual gearbox with 1994 3.9-litre V8 running on LPG, giving 9-11 mpg. The chassis suspension, brakes and axles are all 1978 Range Rover still, hence it keeps it original reg. number. The owner, Trevor Alder, has published a book (titled "The Merzouga Discovery") about the conversion and his trip to the Sahara.
Research is underway regarding the whole 6x6 Land Rover concept and how it developed. If you can help us out with more information regarding any of the Land Rover applications mentioned (or not!) here, please do so. You can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
More pictures
Clyde Helicopters Range Rover Commando Ground Support Vehicle - © CivvyRIV.
TACR II Range Rover.
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