Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. Rover bosses, the Wilks brothers, saw the need for a tough, four-wheel drive utility vehicle to serve the needs of the agricultural community in the immediate post-war years. Given that its inspiration had been the wartime Jeep, it cannot have surprised Rover when their versatile vehicle also turned out to be of interest to the British Army, which began taking deliveries a year or two after the start of production in 1948. Supremely adaptable for military purposes, the Land Rover has fulfilled any number of differing military roles, from fighting vehicle to ambulance and been exported to countless countries worldwide.
The smallest Land Rover on the market at the time was a Series IIA 88" which was too heavy for most military applications. In order to deal with this, a major modification to the basic Series IIA was devised, making many body components easily detachable and removing many non-essential items. The result was the Land Rover Half-Ton, known widely as the Lightweight or Air Portable. In practice, to reduce weight sufficiently for the helicopters of the day to lift them in combat conditions, the tilt and sticks, the upper parts of the body, the doors and windscreen were removed, all to be refitted later. The most significant change however was a reduction in width of 4", by redesigning the standard Series IIA axles and fitting shorter half-shafts, which meant it would fit on a standard pallet. Complete, the Lightweight IIA weighed 1, 202kg, over the specified weight and heavier, in fact, than a 'standard' Land Rover. The term Lightweight was therefore confusing. However, with the removable body panels taken off it was below the limit. Since improvements to the helicopters meant more lift was available, the Ministry of Defence accepted it for use with production continuing until 1984.
Purchased by our vendor in 2020, this example immediately underwent a full and meticulous restoration including a new galvanised chassis, a bikini soft top and a considerable amount of time and effort going in to ensure the body was as perfect as the rest of the car. Since completion, it has covered just 300 miles, the main enjoyment to our vendor being the rebuild and perfecting process. The history file includes two large files documenting the restoration process with photos and invoices along every step of the way, as well as some older MOTs.
Ready and set for someone to enjoy in whatever format that may be, whether it’s going to shows or using it as intended, this Air Portable is ready for whatever that challenge could be.
