110 Defender identification, help!

Hello there
I am new to the Land Rover world but hopefully not for much longer.... I spotted this 110 for sale in a field a couple of days ago - see photos. Before I go meet and negotiate a reasonable price with the owner, I was wondering if anyone could shed some light as to what it was used for when in service. Looks like some kind of workshop with built-in generator. I am interested to know the following:

1) What was the purpose of this vehicle?
1) Year?
2) Likely engine type?
3) Ex-mil?
4) If I manage to purchase it, I most likely will remove the rear section of the vehicle and any unnecessary accessories to end up with a clean single cab defender pick-up. Possible?

Any help will be much appreciated.
Thank you.

Looks like it has been adapted for overhead line work - telephone lines etc. with a working platform on top and storage for line equipment in the rear box. Not military in my opinion, civilian type side stripes on show. Looks like it would make a good project. Check the condition of the chassis very thoroughly for rot, if rotten it will run away with your cash keeping on top of running repairs and a new chassis plus rebuild is not for the faint hearted.
Edit; and check the bulkhead for corrosion, another big expense if it needs a lot of work.

Doubt very much it will be rotten out in Mali. I would say 80's with the rover V8 with carbs. rear unit could be removed and a standard rear tub fitted or you could remove the top part and keep the cut down original rear tub.

tottot said:

Doubt very much it will be rotten out in Mali.

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that was my first thought but the annual rainfall is a metre more than I get here,
Not seen anything like it before
It looks more to me like a safari tour vehicle raised roof for shade , Genny for fridge? Boxes for food and fold down picnic table ?
For sure the seller best to answer that question , let us know how it goes

steve2286w said:

Genny for fridge?

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You can see the arse end of the genny between the two front seats, looks like it is driven off the power take-off. A bit big for a fridge (unless its for yanks ). Plenty of more modern defenders adapted like this (but better equipped) in the uk, seen plenty in my time.

It is an early 80s V8, 114bhp I guess as it has Stromberg carbs on it. 4 speed lt95 gearbox and 2 piece front doors also point to 1983-85. As said above remove the rear section and fit a pick up body. Anything is possible if you have the space and skill to do it - or loads of money for someone else to do it.

Thanks to all for your feedback, appreciated....

The vehicle was imported at some point earlier in the year and has not moved since. I know because it has no local reg. plates, this means import tax and duties have not been paid. Seller probably expecting the buyer to finish off import formalities and adjust selling price accordingly, which is a common practice here. So then the question becomes where was this vehicle imported from? Hmm... LHD, could be anywhere in continental Europe, although unlikely if it's a V8 petrol in the engine bay, maybe UAE?

I will definitely check the chassis and bulkhead for rot.... Thanks. Other than that, this Defender looks very stock to me, even the rear unit has the Rover badge so it must have been factory fitted.... I'll ask the seller but I suspect he won't know. Generally, these guys are working on behalf of someone else based in Europe and have absolutely no background information on vehicles they're selling. Even, they have they don't tell.

I like the V8 petrol, one more motivation for me to buy this vehicle, provided it's clean. We're waiting for the seller to call us back with his asking price. If reasonable, we'll go around at take a close look at this Defender.

Keep you posted.

Thanks wireman, Engine type and details, appreciated.

you can get the engine serial number from the block, usually down at the base of the oil dipstick IIRC. This will tell you the compression ratio (probably 8.13:1 for that one) and then you can work out the power output. The engine number is vital when ordering spares for it.

It has a Tooley plate on the seat box. Tooley Electro-mechanical ltd (Leicester - now gone) made the 240 v genny conversions. Cost a lot new.