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Current Owner: Roy Foster, Stratford upon Avon
Previous Owner(s): Richard Tromans, North Gloucestershire
For many years this was a 'missing' vehicle — SXF96 to 111 were virtually all accounted for, but 102 was a gap. Then in late June 2017 Richard Tromans contacted me with his vehicle's details "in the interests of completeness".
In turn, I can reveal that in the 'Green Machine' book, Barry Holliss says that 102 was a Command Car, and (along with 100 to 103) was based at HOTFSTC — one of the Home Office Fire Services Technical Centres, either at Moreton-in-Marsh (also in North Gloucestershire), or Washington Hall in Lancashire. So it could be that 102 travelled only a very few miles after demob to find its present owner!
Barry Holliss explains that the HOTFSTCs were places where the Civil Defence and AFS services, as well as the RAF and others, could be trained in fire-fighting, and had three made-up Mobile Fire Columns for teaching purposes.
Richard says that the vehicle would soon be up for sale.
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In July 2017 the vehicle was offered on eBay (with the photos above) on Richard's behalf by Mark Knight, www.retromarques.co.uk. He described it as:
A rare, Heritage Certificate Series 1 Land Rover, built 10th October 1956 and despatched on the 6th December 1956 to Halesowen Engineering Works, Worcs. [This would be for Home Office fitting out — Ed]
Only 2 previous owners and in the same family ownership since 1978, SXF 102 has been used but equally well-maintained and cherished. She is in good condition with no corrosion evident and paintwork and trim all good. Mechanically she is very good, starts quickly and drives well. The gearbox is fault-free, steering direct, brakes good and overall a nice drive (given it is an early Land Rover!).
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Of note, as well as the presently fitted tilt, there are a number of additional panel fittings with her, namely a roof, doors, bonnet, windscreen and more! There is a spares pack in the back, also a believed to be original jack and other items under the passenger seat. A ‘drive-away’ Series 1 and a vehicle with an interesting history.
At the beginning of August 2017, Roy Foster posted on the LRSOC Forum that he was the new owner. He said:
I've been looking for some time to buy, had to be Series 1. Started by looking at 80s but while I enjoy tinkering and learning I don't have the facilities and abilities for a complete restoration, nor do I have the budget for a completed one. Furthermore, while I can appreciate the work involved, I wanted a vehicle that I could use. So my search expanded into the 86 and 88 models.
I wanted one with the original engine and that had more or less kept faith with the day it was delivered, or at least one that I could put back within reason. Didn't want much, did I! After viewing a few that looked good on paper, I found SXF 102 which fitted the bill, it as came with its hard top (which I understand it would have had on while working for the Civil Defence). However it now sports an Exmoor canvas — so within 24 hours it's not original... but I did say "more or less" to wanting it looking like the day it was delivered. I have already removed the dog guard and gun rack and the 4 spot lights — it spoiled its face IMO.
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In April 2019 Roy announced on the LRSOC Forum that SXF102 was for sale "due to lack of use". His asking price was £20,000. However, by August he had changed his mind, emailing:
I have had SXF 102 out of the barn for the summer and I have decided this is her home at least for the foreseeable future.
Great news!
102 was offered for sale in an H&H auction at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, Cambridgeshire on the 9th of Oct. The details given were:
Designed by Maurice Wilks in 1947, a Land-Rover rates highly on any list of the world's most significant vehicles, and the earlier - and therefore purer - the better. By the 1957 model year, during which this example was made, weak points had been ironed out to bring the 4x4 to a specification that would last for decades. A simple ladder frame chassis, steel bulkhead and rugged square-formed aluminium panels created a strong workhorse for light industrial, countryside and military use alike. The 88" chassis was offered from mid-1956 model year, in preparation for the diesel variant.
Chassis ‘00850’ was manufactured new on the 10th October 1956 and despatched on the 6th December to Halesowen Engineering Works, Worcester for Home Office fitment, as the Land Rover is understood to have been supplied new to the Home Office Fire Services Technical Centre at Moreton-in-Marsh. Home of firefighting training for the Civil Defence and AFS services (as well as the RAF and others) the site featured three made-up Mobile Fire Columns for teaching purposes. Reputedly the Command Car while in service, the Land Rover is thought to have covered low mileage in service due to the nature of its employment. Thereafter, ‘SXF 102’ spent much of its time in single-family ownership (from 1978 to 2017 and has a recorded mileage of some 28,000 miles.
In current ownership, the Land Rover has benefited from engine and gearbox bearings and seals replacement; removal of the head and the valves checked; wheels shot-blasted, refurbished and shod with new tyres; and the footwells renewed. Starting readily and running well during our recent photography session, the Series I is accompanied by the BMIHT Heritage Certificate, a collection of previous MOTs and invoices, an original operations manual; workshop and instruction manuals; and a current V5C document. A matching chassis and engine numbers example and pleasingly still retaining its ‘SXF’ Civil Defence Land-Rovers registration number, chassis 00850 is due to be driven to the sale.
the hammer came down at £16,875. I hope to be able to add details of the new owner SOON.
[To add (or alter) information on this page, please contact me on sxf@teeafit.co.uk.]