4X2 Land Rover Series III found in Tanzania

Hi Guys and Gals. I have just bought a Series III pickup that is Two Wheel drive, From what I can see on the internet these were built for the Belgium Army, it's in the correct beige colour and has the correct bumpers front and rear, Night lights but strangely the docs from the Army say it was purchased in 1987 by the Tanzania Army. The engine number is 99500227B which according to one web site is the correct engine number for cars sold to the Belgium army but I can't find any information on the Chassis number which I have as 259590235. I found one mention of Chassis numbers starting 259 (5424 = Series IIA 88 Station Wagon (US Model) 259, 901-950 = Series III) but nothing else comes up. Any suggestions?? I'm going to check the car physically again this weekend and see if I can find a stamped Chassis number to confirm that it's correct.

Looks tidy !

Thanks that's what I though and no one wanted to buy it here as it was LHD and 4x2. Lucky me I guess.

Makes you wonder why any army would want a 4x2
Having said that I know the MOD had S1's in that configuration for driver training, in an army universally operating 4x4

According to the write ups I've found the Belgium army was looking for general runabout vehicles and didn't want them for off road use. When the tender went out the land rover agent in Belgium went to land rover and asked if he could have series III in 4x2 configuration, land rover agreed having already supplied some Series I and II as 4x2 thereby reducing the price and won the tender. What I can't Understand is how this one came to Tanzania in 1987 and why the army here would want a 4x2 when even if you live near a city you need a 4x4.

belgium had a fair bit of ex-colonial influence in the area so it could have come from a neighbouring country.

Thanks Mingus, didn't think of that could have come from Congo as there was a lot of Belgium influence there. However the vehicle was valued in UK Pounds on the Documents I have for the sale to the army fellow that was originally issued the vehicle and later bought it. Will try a get some information from the Tanzania Army.

Is that a landy garage or scrapyard in the background? What does the front axle look like? Is it a standard axle without a differential and driveshafts?

Hi John, it's a Garage at the side of the road here in Tanzania, they sort of specialise in fixing Land Rovers. Land Rovers are used here a lot a breakdown trucks. As per the picture the Axle is straight I thought originally that someone had removed the diff and welded in a pipe but its too nice a job and thats what made me check to see if Land Rover made a 4x2. I also have a 1958 Series I and a 109 Stage One V8 that was fitted out a a fire truck, well still is and has the fire pump as well, Picture attached FYI, hope to start the rebuild on this in a weeks time. Seems we have some interesting configuration Land Rovers here in Tanzania, however they are getting exported all then time now that the value is so much higher in first word countries.

Love the stage one, very rare now.

That’s very interesting to see. It also looks like it’s got power steering? That Stage One is nice.

Haha no Power Steering on this I'm afraid. The Stage One will be rebuilt as a fire engine or Standard Factory Spec and then shipped back to the UK for Sale.

StephenClassic said:

Haha no Power Steering on this I'm afraid. The Stage One will be rebuilt as a fire engine or Standard Factory Spec and then shipped back to the UK for Sale.

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I would suggest station-wagon, usually the most desirable, either in full 10/12 seats or just he first two rows of seats with the rear side windows panelled to facilitate a load space.

Hi Guys and Gals thought it was time to update on the 4x2.
So far the car was stripped and the chassis and bulkhead welded, at the same time changed to RHD, all new bushes, shocks, springs were disassembled cleaned and greased, gearbox rebuilt with replacement synchro gear for 2nd, a few new wheel bearing, all new seals, brakes slave and master cylinders replaced along with brake shoes, clutch master cylinder replaced, replaced wiper motor and harness, new wipers, LED main and side lights, replaced the fuel pump and serviced the webber carb and fitted electronic ignition, fitted 2 new UJ's as only one drive shaft .
Still to do:- Finish the wheels in Silver add some new tyres and install the bottom part of the dash, add some heat and sound proofing and she will be done. Hope to have her back in the UK summer 2021 to take to a few Land Rover shops/meets.
She will be for sale along with my nut and bolt restored Stage 1 V8 should anyone be interested.