LAND ROVER LEGENDS
Land Rover 101 Forward Control General Specification
Registered as UFC208P
Old Military Registration No. 67FL61
Built February 1976
Received by Army January 1976 (Good old Records)
Colour
Bronze Green + IRR Camouflage (Infra Red Reflective)
Present Owner
Alasdair Worsley (28)
LAND ROVER LEGENDS
Land Rover 101 Forward Control General Specification
Truck General Service 1 Tonne 4 x 4 Rover 12 Volt
Date of Birth 3rd February 1976. Date of Release 3rd February 1997
Nickname: Goliath on good days.
Technical Specification:
Engine Capacity 3528cc (215 cu Inches)
Minimum Bhp at Clutch 120 @ 5000rpm
Maximum Tractive Effort 3365lb/tonne (bottom gear)
Wheelbase 101
Overall Length 170.5
Overall width 72.5
Overall Height 90
Turning Circle 37
Ground Clearance 10
Fuel Tank 24 Gallons
Fuel Consumption Interesting
0-132MPH 6 Seconds
132-0MPH 3
Horizontal Top Speed 79MPH
Maximum Gradient >60 Degrees (driver chickened out)
Top gear ratio (Hi box) 6.54:1 (79 MPH at 5,300 RPM)
Low gear ratio (Lo box) 75.0:1 (7 MPH at 5,300 RPM)
Optional Extras: Winch Fitted and Trailer drive not fitted.
Roughly a year ago, I had saved up enough money to be able to
buy and restore a reasonable condition Land Rover 101. I was
lucky enough to find one that was going for 2500 which,
whilst not having had any new bodies on it, was in a
reasonable condition. Most panels were straight, all but some
small parts were there and the thing started on a handle. What
sealed it though was the chassis number 23, my date of birth,
the 23rd of April. It also arrived at the auction exactly 21 years
after the army received it and was marked for casting 21 years
after it was built.
The monster was delivered home and the body was removed
for some respray work and a general tidy up. Some had been
camouflaged but not all. As I started to check things over, with
a view to replacing safety items like brake seals, my
suspicions grew. With 5,407km on the clock, I had expected it
to have completed at least one lap of honour, but it had new
brake shoes, a solid chassis, a shiny gear knob and many other
new parts that should have perished. Shock absorbers were
stamped 1975. An expert came to have a look and based on
the state of the brake pedals confirmed my suspicion that the
mileage was correct.
A vast rethink took place with the aim to preserve as much as
possible, renewing safety and perished parts but leaving or
restoring anything possible. In terms of authenticity, even the
tyres (Greeks were fitted at the factory) were maintained
although a spare was required. The problem though came that
if it was concours, I would be afraid to use it so in the end the
outside was merely enhanced with some new paint
(Land~Rover bronze green.)
The rebuild took 6 weeks, a fortnight solid booked as holiday
helped no end as did the ease with which parts came off. Did it
pass its MOT? No! The original factory fitted LHD lights were
deemed to be wrong, as was a drag end that was considered
to be excessively loose. I had overhauled them all. The brand
new one was also deemed too loose, at this point, someone
pointed out to the young MOTer that old ones are sprung
loaded and do move! Obviously not a Land Rover person.
Once running, the first trip was back home to the 101 AGM at
Solihull. Thus the round trip was complete. It then visited
Gaydon for the 50th and then went to the ARC rally at Eastnor.
Here for probably the first time, Goliath ventured into the mud,
visiting twice the Safari (oops scenic) drive along the Brecons.
I tried out various features but still wonder what the diff locks
for, In places where Series Land Rovers failed, Discoveries
drove round and Camel Trophy vehicles made repeated
attempts, mine just seemed to plod along, happy in 3rd or 2nd
low. I suspect Ill need to find something a bit steeper to try it
out on. It does work though; I tried it out on a downhill to stop
the backend skipping. Interestingly though, whilst there was
nothing stopping other marques driving, only Land Rovers
seemed happy to play in the mud.
Freedom Well except from petrol stations
Adventure It has possibly seen its fair share based on the
Rhine
Individualism Well you need to be an individual (wives
run!)
Authenticity Ive repainted it the original line colour
Guts Try turning its steering wheel
Supremacy Everyone knows the 1 tonnes reputation, the
only successful way to destroy one is to forget
to attach the parachute!
Ahh yes, and the local parts department (Hartwells Land
Rover, Cumnor) know me well. Ive my own parts manual, use
only genuine parts or originals and order some parts that
probably last were ordered 20 years ago. Oh and if your
wondering what my normal car is. Its a Series III LWB
Diesel with 280,800 miles on the clock and second engine
(although the 2 falls off!) I dont know how far the rest of its
been.
