Restoration Project, Land Rover, Series III,
Lightweight, 88", Stage One, V8.
On these pages I am attempting to document
the restoration of one of Land Rover's most unusual and rarest trucks. I
have purchased PAN-6518
on June 1st, 2007.
History:
The history of the 88", Lightweight, Stage
One, V8 is very unusual and a number of different details have appeared over
the past, however the main story remains relatively true.
A total of 29 of these trucks were built by
the Solihull factory in 1982, inclusive of one prototype. Of these cars 5,
inclusive of the prototype remained in the UK, the remaining 24 were
apparently ordered by the police force of Jamaica. For whatever reason this
deal did not go through, and all 24 were shipped to the Land Rover general
importer, Mr. Robinson, of Trinidad and Tobago.
Rumor has it, that 2 of the five UK trucks
still exist today, but I have been unable so far to trace their ownership
and/or existence. There is no word of the prototype.
My early research here in Trinidad shows that
as late as 2005, four of the 24 trucks over here were or are still in
existence, early attempts to contact the owners of the trucks have failed,
and I will report on any successful proof of existence of the other three
trucks, or of any new discovery here in Trinidad and Tobago.
The oddity of these trucks is that in the
chassis number all are identified as H, standing for the 2.25 ltr. Petrol
model.
I am at present awaiting the documentation on
my truck from the heritage motor center, which will clarify the originality
of my vehicle, which I do not doubt.
Of the four trucks that I know of here, mine
is the only one carrying the A in its chassis number, identifying the car as
the soft-top that it is. The other three are B registered, meaning three
door station wagon, as they appear in the few pictures that I could find. I
have talked to the original owner of my truck, who confirms that he has
bought it as described in the Trinidad and Tobago registration form (certified
copy). The paint job on the car is still factory!
The license plates of the three other trucks
here in Trinidad and Tobago are,
TAJ-4203 (this is the plate number
out of the 2003 picture, but there is another 2005 picture where the truck
carries the easier to register
PAJ-4203 plate, meaning that the
owner has reregistered the truck to the easier to drive P, standing for
private, rather than T for truck)
The next truck, that I found carries the
plate number TAK-2645.
The picture dates form 2005.
The third truck carries
PAS-711.
This picture dates from 2003.
As mentioned my number is
PAN-6518.
My truck's original plate was TAN-6518,
it was changed in 1993.
I will also attempt to contact Mr. Robinson,
who is now retired, after having sold the Land Rover franchise to another
dealer here in Trinidad.
Should the reader have any information on any
of the remaining 88" V8 trucks, please contact me at matt@tobago.at or call
+1 868-310-3269
I will update the information on this site,
as I discover more about this unusual truck, and as I progress in my factory
standard restoration attempt.
The chassis number of my truck is:
SALLBAAH1AA159962
The engine number is:
11GO1928
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