Land Rover
Forward Controls
Brought to you
By DasLandRoverMan
IIB RHD
6 Cylinder No1
This
vehicle was registered as OXC 191 D, and at on chassis number 33000001A. It was
Land Rovers demonstrator vehicle for the first years of it’s life, and it
featured in a large amount of promotional photography.
After
Being sold of by Land Rover it was bought by a Landscape gardener, who used it
for his business. As age caught up with it, it was laid up.
The
current owner bought the vehicle in the mid 80’s, as something to carry his
competition 86” Land Rover. At the time
it’s historical significance was unknown, and the chassis had been marked,
ready to be cut to beavertail the rear body, until it was suggested that the
chassis number was checked.
Saved
from the Gas Axe the vehicle was treated to a full rebuild, including having
the chassis galvanised, along with the bulkhead, wheel rims, and other major
steel work metal sprayed to prevent future corrosion.
The
original engine had been lost to frost damage, so a replacement 6 cylinder was
fitted, and the vehicle worked in its intended role, carrying a
However,
both puling power, and fuel economy were found to be lacking in the intended
role, whilst overheating on long climbs also proved to be a problem.
It was
suggested that a 3 litre Weslake engine was fitted, as this was common practice
in the 60’s and 70’s when Forward Control owners went in search of more power.
A
suitable engine was procured, and a series 3 ‘box rebuilt to go with it. The
engine was mated to the box using a backplate from a 2.6 litre engine, and the
flywheel from a 2.25 engine.
The
cooling issues were solved by modifying another front panel to accept an early
110 radiator, which was plumbed to the engine using large bore copper pipe, and
with a Kenlowe electric fan on the front.
In the
interests of boosting fuel economy, freewheeling hubs were also fitted to the
front axle.
The
result was a totally transformed vehicle, with a he increase in driveability,
and much more comfortable towing. It was also thought that the vehicle could
have pulled an overdrive, on top of the high ratio series 3 ‘box.
The vehicle
recently appeared in LRE magazine, and has also appeared for sale on eBay.
However, it still resides with it’s current owner.
*Update*
after being up for sale for over a year OXC has now found a new home with another
provate owner on the east coast of Scotland.