900 Club Forum

its advertised locally as a '83 109" recovery vehicle. 2.25 petrol



At first glance it is more series II in age and the larger spring hangers on the front suggest a military chassis. or....
Better its not, don't need another vehicle really, but is has my attention never the less.

Well anyway, can someone find out what year or chassis sequence this license plate would belong to? At least it is not a '83 vehicle.

Regards, Wilberth

Got hold of the owner tonight.its a 251...G so a late IIa.
not sure it is in a condition worth reviving I let it go at that for now.
I also don't really need the crane. What is the going rate for such a crane?? Still close to scrap or could it partly pay for the project?

Regards wilberth

The 1983 date is because in the UK, recovery vehicles didn't need to be registered so most were operated on trade plates. When the new ruling was introduced in 1983 the vast majority were given Q registrations.

I sold a Harvey Frost crane a couple of years ago for £450, but it was the slightly more scarce SWB version.

Looks like an ex-military 109" to me, especially the lack of an external fuel filler.

I already noted that. Also the remainders of the rear cross member appear of the rectangular type rather than cevilian.
But frankly, the price sofar allows for it to be parted out. And I do not see a solid restauration base with a rotten chassis and the overall condition. Unless ofcourse you are after a recovery vehicle than the crane and winch are the start-bonus making it worthwhile.
So I think that is where it is going with this one if it is not sold in one piece soon.

Funny thing is, it could be helpful for me to do that myself, as for me the interest would be in all the parts that normally would be binned or end up in the box in the back of the shed. The winch and PTO would pay for most of the expense.

Wilberth

btw, never knew that about the recovery vehicles not being registered. Where there more categories that did not need registration before '83.
I know I have seen at least one more that could have been a recovery vehicle or other work-horse (to many parts missing to tell) with a "wrong" registration date.

Wilberth

that's an awful lot of kg's. Even 1-tons only manage 3060 gross.
Was this normal for recovery vehicles or just a plane mistake? Funny stuff DVLA

Wilberth

1. MOD spec IIa 109. Geeks will be looking at the position of the rear number plate lamp high up to allow two digit, letters two digit numberplate... and the under seat fuel tanks .

2.i thought it was 1988 that you had to register recovery vehicles, but i could be wrong on tha t ( definitely in the 1980s any way)

3. the 3499 Kg is suspiciously close to the 3.5 ton limit for the licence... did some one just make up a number of the top of their head just to keep the DVLA off their back

4. I payed £300 for a ropey crane last year, good cranes seem to be closer to £500 on fleay bay.

still no good reason not to do it. Sit on your hands wilberth...no place...no bidding...
Too late, already put in a bid. But... someone else beat me to it. Now just hope they don't walk away from it.. Horrible thing the landy virus