1952 Land Rover/Minerva Series I 4x4 Blindé Parachute Reconnaissance Vehicle

• Belgian-built Land Rover
• Rare parachute reconnaissance variant
• Supplied new to the Belgian Army
• Restored in 2010
• Offered from a private collection of Series I Land Rovers

Lacking the resources to produce a new car of its own after WW2, Minerva engaged in a series of collaborations with British manufacturers, assembling the Standard Vanguard saloon under license and then concluding a deal with Rover for the assembly of Land Rovers for the Belgian Army. Commencing in 1952, the 80"-wheelbase Land Rovers were supplied as 'CKD' (Completely Knocked Down) kits of running gear, which Minerva then bodied in steel at its Antwerp factory to meet the Belgian Army's requirements.

British-built Land Rovers had aluminium bodies and there were numerous stylistic differences between the British and Belgian versions, most obviously the front wings; the running gear, though, was all Series I Land Rover. The vast majority of vehicles produced were 80" models which went to the Belgian military. Production switched to the 86" model when that was introduced in 1954, but in mid-1956 the contract between the two companies was terminated. Minerva went on to develop their own 4x4.

This vehicle was converted for the Belgian military in around 1955 into an armoured vehicle designed for use by special forces and the parachute regiment. They were known as Blindés, blindé being French for armoured. Very few Minervas were converted to Blindés: some sources say 36, others around 60. Of those, many were destroyed or abandoned in the Belgian Congo in the 1960s and only a handful remain today. The Blindés were equipped with considerable firepower, bullet proof windscreens, bullet proof radiator grille and armour plating.

This vehicle is fully equipped with the original radio, wrap around aerial, a bazooka (with dummy ammunition!) and replica machine guns. It also comes with rucksacks and goggles. The vehicle has been displayed at various Land Rover shows and has won numerous awards. It also took part in a military convoy arranged to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D Day landings.

It was restored in 2010 by a former member of the Belgian Parachute Regiment, who had experience of using them during his service days. The vendor purchased the vehicle in 2015 and brought it back to the UK. The vehicle is described by our vendor as in generally excellent condition and offered with a UK V5C registration document.