1961 Land Rover Series II Fire Truck *Sold £8,500*

Description

• Manufactured 1961
• Series II model
• A rare Carmichael conversion
• Exhibited at the Statfold Barn Railway Museum
• £2000 spent approx. 18 months ago
• Only 2,981 miles (4654 km)

When Rover launched the Series I Land Rover at the Amsterdam show in 1948 everything changed. No-one could have foreseen the influence this vehicle would have or that it would endure to this day.

Even more extraordinary is the range of applications; fire trucks are just one and are hugely popular. In any condition, they come to market infrequently. Good ones are even harder to find.

Background

• Year of manufacture 1961
• First road registered 15 November 1982
• Registered new to Ever Ready Batteries Ltd Wolverhampton
• Our vendor has owned the Land Rover since 2018
• Our vendor loaned this Series II to the Statfold Barn Railway Museum for a period

The original Land Rover Series I received wide acclaim. The vehicle was quickly adapted for a whole multitude of purposes, including fire-fighting duties.

Rover produced a special build fire tender version of the appliance, especially for industrial complexes where confined spaces prevented full-sized fire engines gaining access. Successive Land Rover models become popular for conversions and several firms gained authorisation to produce their own versions.

Particularly unusual was a batch of ‘Carmichael & Sons of Worcester’ machines. These have become much sought after.

Outside

• The fire engine red paintwork is in good period condition
• Matching red 5-hole steel wheels
• New tyres all round
• The galvanised extrusions and front bumper are in good condition
• The chassis appears in great shape for its age
• All light glass seemingly in good order
• An assortment of hoses, reels and tanks are fitted in the pick-up bed
• Front and rear alloy A-frames support the ladders
• The emergency roof lights operate
• Side lockers
• Front spot lamps

A wonderful brass bell is mounted at the front between the classic inside-the-wings headlamps of the Series II bodywork. The body is complete with classic protruding door hinges.

Inside

• This Series II is very original and retains several period features.
• Three spoke steering wheel
• Steel dash
• Dual clocks mounted in the central alloy binnacle
• Three front seats in good condition
• The original headlining remains in very good shape
• Our vendor believes the seats may have been replaced a few years before he took ownership
• Additional switchgear for the sirens, lights and pumping equipment remains in place

Mechanicals

• 2.25 litre four-cylinder petrol engine
• 4-speed manual gearbox
• Galvanised water tank and other associated equipment including various hoses and fittings
• The vendor informs us that it drives well
• The brakes are reportedly good

Our vendor tells us;

“1961 Series 2 Land Rover 109-inch truck cab Fire truck ex Ever Ready Batteries Stafford factory. 

Very original and I have done a load of work on her. New brakes all round, new tyres, new clutch slave cylinder, brake master cylinder and new rubber bushes on the springs. Added to this is some work on the carb. 

All in all, a bill of over £2000 about 18 months ago. 

It has done under 3000 miles from new, is fairly original and dates from 1961. It just needs period Ever Ready Logos painted back on the doors. They were over painted years ago when the truck was sold off. 

The mileage reading is in kilometres and not miles as it was originally an export model cancelled order*. I don’t use it and it has been sitting in the railway museum at Statfold Barn. It needs to be used and taken to shows which I can’t do at the moment”.

*This would make sense as many were built for export.

Summary

This museum exhibited Series II is exactly what Land Rover collectors look for. It would grace any collection.

We all know what short supply good Series II models are in.

The Carmichael of Worcester connection is fascinating. Some sources suggest small numbers were built. It’s not clear exactly how many are left but it is likely to be very few. If that is the case, the desirability increases.

It retains all its original equipment which is a massive bonus. This Landie isn’t just a fire tender show-only vehicle. As a very useable pick-up, it can be driven and used for pleasure too.

Either way, what a chance this is to become the next custodian of this Carmichael-converted Series II 109.