A batch of Series 3 General Service Land Rover's were selected by the Army to be converted into specialist Ceremonial vehicles to undertake wreath carrying and funeral carriage towing duties. Exactly how many were converted is still open for debate, one source quotes 8 vehicles having been converted, however a WO1 involved said that 15 were converted Numbered 1 to 16. For those who can do the maths and say that is wrong, the numbr 13 was not used.

The most obvious aspects of the conversion is the high gloss deep bronze olive paint and the removal of the canopy and canopy hoops. The Bush bar and jerry can holders have also been removed along with the tool brackets from on top og the front guards.

The tailgate is a specially built piece with a flat sheet on the outside and the unit and formation plate holders have been removed. A deluxe bonnet without a spare tyre holder has also been fitted and a custom cover sewn to cover the tub area of the vehicle.

The less obvious changes to the vehicle are mechanical. A holden engine was fitted along with an automatic gearbox. This also has the effect of rendering the vehicle two wheel drive. The engines were converted to run on gas, and a custom exhaust system was fitted. In the case of the holden units, a six cylinder 202 engine and trimatic automatic box were used.

The vehicles were also given registrations 01 upwards. It has been suggested that the army had a budget of $800,000 for 15 cars. Around $57000 was spent on each vehicle, almost everything was changed at the time. However the accuracy of that statement has yet to be proven.

The Army Museum Bandiana has retained one example of these specialist vehicles in excellent condition. It is also vehicle 01, however it was originally registered as 29-258.

Other examples are in private hands, with units in Tasmania, Victoria and NSW having been seen for sale at various times. The unit that appeared for sale on E-bay in victoria was supposedly unit 9 of 14. That unit's original registration was 28-788.

Information recieved in 2010 from a RAEME WO1 who was involved in the project adds this information to what we already know.

• There were 15 made, numbered 1 to 16. The number 13 was not used.
• No 1 to 3 were the best in terms of build quality.
• The contract was for holden blue motor, but were delivered with red motor painted black.
• Defence paid for additional modification for emission standards - blue motor manifold and carby.
• Gearbox was 3 speed trimatic
• T-bar shifter and console was from a Ford Escort.
• Handbrake - disk was off a motorbike (could not recall model)
• It had a rev limiter (could not recall limit)
• Tail shaft was shortened.
• They were withdrawn from service prior to issue / use.
• Stored as Broadmeadows logistic Battalion prior to auction.

The rear of the same vehicle showing the custom tailgate.
Copyright: Richard Green

Copyright: Richard Green