129" Land-Rovers

[22900013A]

An abortive attempt at a bigger Land-Rover from the early 1960s, which had spin-offs in the form of 2.5 litre and also turbocharged versions of the 2286 diesel engine.

Only two survive, one at Dunsfold, the other at Gaydon.

Vehicle number 1 was essentially just a bigger Land-Rover, intended to compete with the Dodge Power Wagon in middle-East oilfield markets. It was thought to have been built with a 3 litre petrol engine but at some point had a turbo version of the 2286 diesel.



Prototype 2 onwards was a more resolved vehicle, with springs over the axles, and able to take up to 16.00x16 tyres!



Many of these used the 3-litre six-cylinder car engine, which was found to not be suitable for use in such a heavy vehicle.



The final prototype had a slightly different wing design and used a 2.5 litre engine with input from CAV for the fuel distribution pump.



This is the other survivor at Gaydon.

[DasLandRoverMan]

An interesting set of prototypes, and one that would have been pretty smart had it made it to production in competition against the big Dodge.

A big diesel and suitable transmission would have seen it working well in the oil fields, but I believe a lot of the reason it was canned was to do with the Forward Control models being easier to produce?

Linking in to another project, 129 No1 spent a few years as the company breakdown wagon, and was superseded by the 2 Ton FC prototype now known as 'buttercup'.

[22900013A]

You have actually reminded me that another problem was that the gearbox liked to cook its oil. The engines liked to run on as well.
You are right that part of why the project was pulled was because they would have needed a dedicated production line. The IIA FC could be made on the existing lines. Kind of a shame it didn't pan out though, if it had, Landrover would probably be quite a different company today.

By the way this is the Power Wagon that inspired it, I can see a resemblance.



http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/powerwagon.html

[22900013A]

I also notice that this vehicle -



Has one-piece doors. If you look, the galv strip on the door is stuck on, there is no seam between the door top and bottom.

[jim]

I like the look of the added front bumperets. What type of axles are fitted?

[22900013A]

Thats a good question, the origin of the axles under these and the 120" forward controls has long been in question. The name Timken rings a bell but that could be un-connected. They are certainly somewhat wider than normal axles.

[gerald112]

[...] The name Timken rings a bell but that could be un-connected. They are certainly somewhat wider than normal axles.

Have a look here: *Pangolin4x4*

[22900013A]

Another brilliant shot of one of these under test.

[DasLandRoverMan]

Ain't Facebook brilliant!!!

[22900013A]

Ain't Facebook brilliant!!!

I wonder to what extent the various Landrover pages keep putting photos up asking "who can tell us the date/location/vehicle/person here" is down to them not knowing the answers themselves?