Military Spec Land Rover S3

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[mashmeade]

I spent 15 years in the British Army as a Radio Telegraphist and then Radio Technician during the era when these were being phased out and the diesel 110s were replacing them. That vehicle looks to have originally been a 3/4T SIII FFR (Fitted For Radio). SIII FFRs had quite some differences from GS (General Service) vehicles:

1. 24V electrics, ignition system all shielded. Two batteries in a metal box where the middle front seat is in that one. HUGE 24V alternator.
2. 2 or 4x 100Ah radio batteries behind the centre bulkhead in a large steel box. Generated so much current that it was possible to weld a spanner/wrench if not careful when tightening the lugs.
3. Above the radio battery box, a radio table for mounting the radios on, which ran pretty much the width of the vehicle.
4. Antenna mounting arms for HF antennas on the sides of the vehicle (you can see the mounting holes for these)
5. Antenna Tuner Unit mounting points on the front wings/fenders, which you can see.
6. "Dexion" racking above the centre bulkhead for fitting radio and power cables to.
7. Double stack front bumpers, as seen
8. Stub rear bumpers, as seen
9. Mounting points for pick and shovel on the tailgate
10. Spare wheel mount on bonnet/hood (the commenter below who says it wasn't originally mounted there below for visibility reasons is wrong). Yes it was, and yes, the visibility over it was poor.
11. Dual fuel tanks with changeover lever (great fun to put it in the center neutral position as a prank)
12. Manual throttle to charge the batteries when static.
13. Side bonnet/hood catches.
14. Centre-dash mounted light switch with convoy mode

Many of these features have been removed from that example, but looks like it was originally an FFR, given what's still on it. No reason to have the antenna mount points if it wasn't FFR, and hand throttles were rare on other vehicles.

Comments below regarding "why left hand drive" - it's because when that vehicle was new, the majority of the British Army was stationed in Germany, and nearly all vehicles there were ordered as left hand drive. Also a comment about it being possibly military police because of the rifle clips - no, they were standard on FFRs, but I've seen them on some GS vehicles. It could have been an MP vehicle, but just as likely it was issued to any other unit that had a need for vehicles with radios fitted (ie nearly all units). Another comment regarding the rope round the bumper being for "street cred" - the Complete Equipment Schedule contained a steel tow rope, and we often wrapped them round the bumper.

[nickaxe]

I bought my Series 3 88" or SWB new in 1975 as a kid of 23....was quite expensive for I saved up hard to afford it.

I am now 71 and still own it....don't get used a lot now but its still fully ready for the road.

I am the only person that ever worked on it in its life time.

I will never part with it.

Nick from the UK.

[colingoldthorpe]

In desert storm we had a small off road test against an American Humvee and the LR destroyed it. I drove these in Germany, England, Saudi, Kuwait, Iraq, Bosnia, Canada, Northern Ireland. They will always hold a special place in my heart, even with all of the issues. These things would take a real beating.

[miker]

As a "true car guy" or gear head. .
You have to love Jay. A national treasure.
Hes livin the dream he worked hard for.
I always laugh as he says something I was thinking or asks a question I was wondering.
Thanks Jay!!!

[keithpattison]

Owning a Landrover makes you into a better mechanic. For an off road vehicle, you need something that is simple. Here in Australia, if something fails on a modern electronically controlled vehicle, you could be stuck a thousand km's from any help with no way to fix it yourself. Today's off roaders are too smart for their own good.

[jeffreyday]

Its great to see Jay Leno talking about these older Landrovers, despite the bad wrap they get"odd"oil leaks, noise, slow these things have got such a massive following around the world, simple to maintain, all parts still available nothing complicated about them, no high tech gadgets and very capable, just getting more collectable.perfect for the beachfront coffee and gabble.
Throw the bbq in the back and don't forget the canvas top
for summer, love it !!👍👍

[robertpearson]

My first vehicle was a 1971 Series IIA 88. Slow, bumpy, noisy, cold in winter, and I miss it more than any vehicle I've ever owned.

[seberdee]

Don't you just love when you have an owner that knows absolutely nothing at all and just makes it up as goes along, with just the odd bit correct by luck

[Adebee]

When I was in the UK arm forces These were the backbone of whatever force you were in… They are absolutely incredible and never really let you down. A few of the trim bits fell off, but the main bits never let you down.

[Grahame]

I am in UK and also own a Series 3 ex-MOD FFR. Your would have originally had large aerial boxes on the front wings. All FFRs were 24V electrics with 2 12V batteries under where your middle seat is.Great cars. Steering would be lighter with the original 7.50x16 tyres though your tyres look great. The rear differential cover is painted white so that when you select Convoy Mode all the lights go out (even instrument lights go out!) except for a small light on the chassis that points at the diff housing. Each Land Rover in the convoy then follows using the glow from the white diffs. The front vehicle of course would not have convoy mode switched on.

[trespire]

The S3 is still fit for purpose.
A staple of the British Armed Forces, one of the all time classics.

[mikecygk]

I have a 1960 88" Series 2, and had a great time restoring it myself - and an absolutely fun drive, summer and winter.

[scottimusgarrett]

That was fun, gentlemen! I think the best part of this show is that you never know what's gonna come through the Garage! Thanks, Alex, Jay, and the crew for another great episode!✌️❤🙂🇨🇦

[FishplateFilms]

As a Landrover guy for over 20 yrs, this is great to see! I'm still driving my 04' Disco TD5 and even though it's slow compared to modern trucks, it still is a pleasure to drive.
Thanks for this video Jay and Alex.
Gregg 🙂

[PUNCHARDftlb]

if you know the quirks of these they will never let you down probably the best vehicle the uk has ever made

[MarcHillM]

As a 15year old I learnt to drive on a Series 1 and the test instructor made me do a rather steep hill start three times. My Father used to take us to Landrover trials and took us on a family outing to central Turkey in the 60's - that was some adventure. Never forget taking the roof off with six bolts, the heater's sole functionality to cook the passenger's shin, wandering steering which became perfectly normal and those insane yet strangely hypnotic windscreen wipers. Second gear low range was usually the most needed and it would creep down the steepest slopes that way and those narrow tires so effective in wet grass and mud.

[parrotraiser]

In WWII, P-40s sent to North Africa were painted in a sand colour, but the paint faded to pink. (Sue Johnson, of the Johnson & Johnson fortune) had one as a warbird in that colour.)
Congratulations on the audio quality from what must have been a challenging environment.

[bikecommuter]

I like this kind of content, don't get me wrong I like all the fast, high tech, luxury cars too but its nice to see something with dirt, dust and with a patina to it and in this case history.

[neilperry]

My late father used to make those on the night shift in Solihull, yes that famous night shift from the Sun.
He was the safety officer for the plant and used to get loan vehicle for others but never himself!!
He used to do paint rectification in the paint shop, and press shop sent him deaf!
He restored a late model series 2A, in blue, white steels, slightly larger tyres, and light blue canvas top.
It was a great vehicle, miss the bouncing leaf springs.

[richardtedeschi]

I love Land Rovers, it was my father's job in Rome Italy selling Land Rover spares from 1968 until 1993, we had quite a few even 1948 Series One HUE222.