101 trials

[Mick_Marsh]

Has anyone found any information on the 101s that were trialed?

The reason I ask, I met a fellow who told me four 101s were trialed by the ADF.
None of those had ARNs.

I always thought 29-170 and 29-171 were the trials 101s.

This fellow (lovely chap) also told me the four were prototypes.
Up until recently, I thought the attached photo was the only prototype in Australia. I didn't realise it was trialed by the ADF.
"1969: Prototype 101s were built. These had a (very) short bonnet and different front panels from the final design. They also used part-time four wheel drive transmission, ENV differentials (as in the SIIB civilian Forward Control Land-Rover) and a 3-litre 6-cylinder Rover engine. It is possible that an LT95 transmission without a centre differential may have been fitted. A powered trailer could be driven, but only in low ratio.

At least one 101 prototype was brought to Australia for trials and fitted with an Australian Ford Falcon 3.6-litre 6-cylinder motor. This prototype, and its powered trailer, were used by a Tasmanian mining company. It was later bought by John Ayre and Simon Ramsey of ULR Motors in Melbourne. At this time it still had the original tray body with canvas tilt (soft top). The Falcon motor was replaced by a 4.4-litre Leyland Terrier V8. The Terrier was a truck version of that V8 which has served Rover well. A more highly tuned 4.4-litre V8 was also used in the Leyland P76 sedan. P76 and Terrier V8s were popular transplants into SIII Land-Rovers in the 1970s and 1980s. At some time an outback tour bus body was fitted and the 101 used by Korragabba Adventure Tours. The vehicle is currently fitted with a 350 Chev and the ENV differentials have been replaced with Salisburys. ".

[fc101]

The 101 in the pic was a 101 prototype - well before the actual 101 build program started.  The one in the pic was parked in a street in Cairns for many years.  I have some pics of this but cannot find them at the moment.

I dont believe this 'Prototype" was ever tested by the ADF but was in fact bought by an Overland Touring company (your history with the mining company etc seems more up to date tham mine) with its powered trailer after that version of a 101 had been rejected by the MOD and the vehicles sold off. I know of the one protype that came to Australia but not two.

29-170 and 29-171 were early in service MOD 101s and were brought to Australia for ADF testing - there are a few pics of that, including the brake test pics with the rear high in the air.  After testing these remained in Australia, given their ARNs as you indicated and merged into the Aust 101 fleet of 50 or so vehicles.  The rest of the Aust 101 fleet were late vehicles and included a number of upgrades that the two early ones did not have - eg the early two do not have burst proof locks where all the later ones do.

Garry

[glbest]

They were bought as part of the Rapier Missile system ie as the normal landrover couldnot pull the missile trailer or the radar unit school of artillery had several to teach the students in AD wing and most went to 16 AD wing, I have a an understanding that they were not trailed as the Inters were and they we bought as add on veh. like the series 3 were.

[Mick_Marsh]

Thankyou Garry and Greg.

Yes. What you both said is what I believe.

This fellow was telling me his was a prototype and mentioned it was previously owned by John Ayre of ULR.
I think he also mentioned Tom Sheppard. Maybe he was a little confused and has a pre-production 101.
It was an interesting 101.

[glbest]

on talking to friends ref 101 cabovers they were trialled in the early sixties as well as the Unimog however they decided not to proceed with them at that stage like the better-performing vehicle was the Landcruiser but it was political and they chose the Landrover. But on a lighter note, the 101 was bought as part of the setup for the Rapier  missile system as the 109 did not have the torque to pull the missile trailer loaded

[fc101]

on talking to friends ref 101 cabovers they were trialled in the early sixties as well as the Unimog

That would not have been a 101 as they were not developed until the very late 60s in the UK - would have been the 109 Series 2a/b Forward Controls which would not have been a good choice.

[glbest]

stand corrected

[fc101]

Please dont be 

[glbest]

lol