1997 Land Rover Defender Snatch-2A With Converted Camping Trailer

Highlights

Refurbished in 2006 by the MOD with a new chassis, numerous additional items including an air conditioning unit and possibly a new 300 Tdi engine
Just 17,703 km indicated and believed accurate
Penman military trailer with Tentbox roof tent included in the same

The Appeal

The British Army Armed Forces have relied on Land Rovers ever since the MOD tested the first batch in 1949. To this day, these vehicles are indispensable both at home and in overseas operations, transporting personnel, communications equipment and weaponry over the toughest terrain.

We’re delighted to offer a very rare opportunity to acquire an armoured ‘Snatch-2A’ Land Rover, originally from 1997 and refurbished by the MOD in 2006. It is believed to have served in Afghanistan where it acquired the current ‘sand’ paint livery over its original ‘olive drab’. It’s unusual to find such original examples and it’s marked inside as an “emergency evacuation vehicle”, which the vendor thinks explains the low mileage indicated and well-preserved condition.

The accompanying trailer is also military issue, built by Penman and a very useful accessory even in civilian life thanks to the fitment of a Tentbox roof tent. For overland camping expeditions, you’d be hard-pushed to think of a more appropriate means of transportation!

The History and Paperwork

One former UK registered keeper (post-demobilisation)
17,703 km indicated
Refurbished in 2006 by the MOD
Understood to have served in Afghanistan
Offered without current MOT (expired)
MOD ‘Technical Description’ paperwork included - a very large volume
UK V5C present
Invoice for trailer inspection - found to be in good roadworthy order

The Condition

Seldom do we see an ex-military Land Rover so well-preserved and practically untouched since entering civilian life - there’s even what’s believed to be Afghan sand present in some areas
Commendably straight bodywork for a Land Rover of this vintage - let alone an ex-military example used in combat
Retains its exterior and interior accessories including desert camouflage (removable and revealing green underneath)
Believed to be painted ‘olive drab’ underneath the current ‘sand’ livery
The chassis looks in good order with only minor surface rust visible
The vendor believes there is no serious corrosion to report
There are of course some small paint chips and other slight imperfections
We understand the instrumentation and switchgear to be in good working order
Very little wear apparent to the interior and upholstery
All front cabin bulletproof windows have no clouding - apparently a common fault
The trailer is fitted with a well-regarded Tentbox roof tent which we understand to be in good condition

Specifications include:

NATO double doors at back, controlled with lock from inside the front cabin
Deadbolts on interior to prevent doors opening, double security
Anti-riot window bars, for all windows including a removable one for the driver's screen which can be raised and lowered from inside the cabin easily
Controllable search light on roof (controlled with joystick in the cabin)
Convoy stealth light (turns off all lights and adds a light on the ground behind you vehicle so the convoy knows where you are but others don’t)
Map lightning for passenger
Centre light for cabin
Equipped with an interior air conditioning unit
Storage in central cabin
Cabin heating
Seatbelt cutters
Place to store assault rifle above drivers seat
Benches and seats in the rear personnel
Seatbelt cutters, seatbelt, handles for holding in transit
Central area has storage for water / fuel tanks
All sensitive radio equipment removed but there’s remaining panels and infrastructure should you want to make use of that area
Retrofitted speakers and sirens
MOD-fitted reverse alarm
Roof opens to allow for soldiers to stand over the truck to observe, patrol or defend position
Firewall between front and rear cabins
Removable rubber mats, easy to clean / wash down
Antislip grooves on the bonnet

The Mechanics

300 Tdi diesel engine
Five-speed manual gearbox
Equipped with low-range, diff lock and four-wheel-drive
Battery isolator (needs to be turned off when not using the vehicle)
Engine bay still has what is believed to be Afghan sand on some parts of the surfaces
Wolf tires reportedly in superb order and spare on the front
The trailer has been safety inspected
Snorkel for engine air intake
We’re advised that the fuel gauge reads inaccurately and one of the front wipers is somewhat erratic
Nato-type trailer hitch
The trailer is leaf-sprung and braked
The vendor notes that the engine may have been replaced during the 2006 MOD refurbishment - the next owner may be able to request this information from the MOD along with other details of its service life

BEFORE YOU BUY

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