- Location
- United States
This 1989 Land Rover Defender 110 Tithonus may be one of the lowest mileage Land Rover Defender 110 models in the US right now, showing only 4,480 actual miles or 7,211 kilometers. Additionally, this truck is a certified Ministry of Defense (MOD) “Tithonus vehicle” maintained exclusively for Officer use only.
This LHD truck began life in the UK and was reborn as a military radio truck (FFR) fitted for Radio. The radio has been removed as part of the decommissioning exercise in order to sell it to the public. The truck was built for British Radio Officers only and went into duty in Germany, thus the reason why it was fitted with a left-hand drive (LHD) steering wheel. (BTW the key turns counter clockwise) as the tumbler mechanism is from the original RHD model.
Because if was an FFR (Fitted for Radio), lower rank enlisted military were not allowed to drive the vehicle and it was reserved exclusively for Officers. After a brief military engagement in Germany, seeing only the highest quality of regular maintenance, it was brought back the UK and now, most recently was imported to the US.
The Tithonus Project was started by the Ministry of Defense in the UK as a cost saving measure. Rather than buying and outfitting new trucks in 2007-2008 they handpicked, a select few 1985-87 110 models for an “extensive factory rebuild” coined the “Tithonus Project”. Tithonus was the Greek Goddess of renewal so these trucks were “reborn” in a sense in 2007-08. The plan was to take only the very highest quality 110’s available and TOTALLY rebuild the trucks. Each was taken down to a nut and bare-metal respray and meticulously reassembled with British Military heavy duty axles/wheels and ultra-dependable diesel engines.
As a radio truck, the MOD added a much taller composite (fiberglass) Wolf style hardtop. Side by side these are a good 3-4 inches taller than a regular land rover roof. It offered more headroom and even in the worst of weather, things stayed dry inside. Important for expensive Short-Wave radio equipment to remain secure and not get wet. Additionally, these trucks were fitted with an unbelievable, super heavy duty internal and partially external, Wolf roll bar system. They added checker plate (diamond plate) on the hoods, fender tops and rocker sills. They also moved the spare Jerry cans of fuel from the back bumpers and put them into 2 enclosed, lockable side cubbies for safety and security. Because it was a radio truck, additional antenna mounts were added on the front fenders. The headlight switch is a unique 6-way military selector style knob for a whole series of different black out or full light possibilities. These vehicles were fitted with 2.5 DIESEL non-turbo, dependable mechanical fuel injection and are naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engines, the transmissions are a later model 5 speed LT77 gearbox. All the vehicles were painted NATO Green. When you pop the bonnet, you’ll see a distinctive turquoise colored engine. Asking price for the truck is $38,500 OBO This is a safe investment, as this is a super rare Defender 110 model with ultra-low miles. The vehicle is located here state side, at our shop and welcomes your inspection. Black Bridge Motors 314 Wilson Street, Norwalk, CT 06883 please call 203-817-0014 with any questions.
This LHD truck began life in the UK and was reborn as a military radio truck (FFR) fitted for Radio. The radio has been removed as part of the decommissioning exercise in order to sell it to the public. The truck was built for British Radio Officers only and went into duty in Germany, thus the reason why it was fitted with a left-hand drive (LHD) steering wheel. (BTW the key turns counter clockwise) as the tumbler mechanism is from the original RHD model.
Because if was an FFR (Fitted for Radio), lower rank enlisted military were not allowed to drive the vehicle and it was reserved exclusively for Officers. After a brief military engagement in Germany, seeing only the highest quality of regular maintenance, it was brought back the UK and now, most recently was imported to the US.
The Tithonus Project was started by the Ministry of Defense in the UK as a cost saving measure. Rather than buying and outfitting new trucks in 2007-2008 they handpicked, a select few 1985-87 110 models for an “extensive factory rebuild” coined the “Tithonus Project”. Tithonus was the Greek Goddess of renewal so these trucks were “reborn” in a sense in 2007-08. The plan was to take only the very highest quality 110’s available and TOTALLY rebuild the trucks. Each was taken down to a nut and bare-metal respray and meticulously reassembled with British Military heavy duty axles/wheels and ultra-dependable diesel engines.
As a radio truck, the MOD added a much taller composite (fiberglass) Wolf style hardtop. Side by side these are a good 3-4 inches taller than a regular land rover roof. It offered more headroom and even in the worst of weather, things stayed dry inside. Important for expensive Short-Wave radio equipment to remain secure and not get wet. Additionally, these trucks were fitted with an unbelievable, super heavy duty internal and partially external, Wolf roll bar system. They added checker plate (diamond plate) on the hoods, fender tops and rocker sills. They also moved the spare Jerry cans of fuel from the back bumpers and put them into 2 enclosed, lockable side cubbies for safety and security. Because it was a radio truck, additional antenna mounts were added on the front fenders. The headlight switch is a unique 6-way military selector style knob for a whole series of different black out or full light possibilities. These vehicles were fitted with 2.5 DIESEL non-turbo, dependable mechanical fuel injection and are naturally aspirated (non-turbo) engines, the transmissions are a later model 5 speed LT77 gearbox. All the vehicles were painted NATO Green. When you pop the bonnet, you’ll see a distinctive turquoise colored engine. Asking price for the truck is $38,500 OBO This is a safe investment, as this is a super rare Defender 110 model with ultra-low miles. The vehicle is located here state side, at our shop and welcomes your inspection. Black Bridge Motors 314 Wilson Street, Norwalk, CT 06883 please call 203-817-0014 with any questions.
