mod | The Silo

From the Driven Eclectic Collection- 1977 Land Rover 101 Forward Control “Survival Truck”

If you have ever imagined yourself (and your +1’s) safely managing a Zombie apocalypse and driving from a danger to a safe zone- this is the vehicle you want to be in.

Offered for sale in the Las Vegas auction via Broad Arrow Auctions from The Driven Eclectic Collection
An ex-U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) surplus truck converted into an all-terrain adventure camper
Exceptionally equipped with solar power, an AluCab 270-degree awning, and full living quarters with a kitchenette
Supplied with a Ministry of Defence Certificate of Origin and period MOD inspection reports
Powered by a replacement 3.5-liter Rover V8 coupled with an LT95 four-speed manual transmission complete with a dual-range transfer case and vacuum-locking center differential
Presented in Davos White with Bahama Gold Raptor bedliner over brown leather upholstery
Left-hand-drive example with prior ownership in Poland and the U.K.; imported to the U.S. in 2023

Chassis No. 96400307

The Land Rover 101 Forward Control was a rugged but lightweight forward utility vehicle in use by the British Armed Forces in the 1970s.

Although primarily created as a compact artillery gun tractor, the dynamic design of the Land Rover 101 expanded its use across a wide variety of roles such as radio command center, electronic warfare vehicle, ambulance, and even as a surface-to-air missile platform. Though retired from service by the late 1990s, the surplus stock of some 2,700 Land Rover 101s have since become a popular platform for enthusiasts to create their dream offroad vehicle.

Built in October 1976, this left-hand-drive 1977 Land Rover 101 Forward Control was originally dispatched to the Central Army Vehicle Depot in Ashchurch, England according to its British Heritage Trust Certificate. Its accompanying Certificate of Origin from the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) reveals that the truck officially entered service on 1 January 1977, and remained active until 27 November 1992 when it was purchased from MOD through the Disposal Sales Depot. First officially road registered in the U.K. in October 1997, prior research indicates that the Land Rover may have spent several years in a Polish collection before returning to the U.K. in July 2018.

The ex-military Land Rover has since been painstakingly transformed into an overland-style camper prepared for any terrain.

It is armed with an arsenal of camping gear, headlined by an Alu-Cab 270-degree awning and Pop-Top sleeping system with Sauleda acrylic canvas tent, hinged raising bed platform, and memory foam mattress. Its exhaustive list of adventuring upgrades is further underscored by LED exterior lighting, generous exterior storage, a portable shower, and a detailed auxiliary power system that includes a Cotek 3.5 kW inverter and two roof-mounted 100W solar panels with Victron Energy super cycle 125ah batteries.

The original military-issue Bronze Green paint was replaced with Davos White and Bahamas Gold Raptor bedliner. Inside, the Land Rover features detailed living quarters complete with a rear kitchenette with propane stove, sink, and SnoMaster refrigerator. The cabin floors and ample storage compartments are made from teak, while the seats are trimmed in BOXMARK XTREME water-resistant brown leather and the headliner is made from British Millerain weather-resistant canvas. The interior is also furnished with Monitor Audio Climate 50 speakers married to dual Mission Cyrus 2 amplifiers with Bluetooth capability, a television mount, and even a backup camera. All-weather essentials include a Webasto gas heater, 60-liter stainless water tanks with electric pump, and Lifeline water filtration.

The Land Rover is reportedly powered by a replacement 3.5-liter Rover V8 featuring rebuilt dual Stromberg carburetors and a host of supporting modifications including an aluminum radiator and stainless steel exhaust. This is managed by a rebuilt LT95 four-speed manual transmission with dual-range transfer case and vacuum locking center differential. Additional equipment includes adjustable air ride suspension complete with Bilstein shocks, 16-inch steel wheels shod in Michelin XZL all-terrain tires, and Able Engineering disc brakes on all four corners.

Prior research indicates that much of the camper conversion was performed by Latitude Overland in Bristol, U.K., while the Land Rover’s electrical overhaul was completed by R&L Auto Electrics in Plymouth. Acquired by the consignor in August 2022, the Land Rover was subsequently imported to the U.S. at the beginning of 2023 and shipped to Austin, Texas; entering a remarkable collection of rare automobiles.

This 1977 Land Rover 101 Forward Control is offered today with an extensive history file that includes its Certificate of Origin from the Ministry of Defence, multiple military inspection reports during its service period, and prior U.K. registration.

Outfitted with an extensive array of thoughtful upgrades inside and out, this example is equipped to venture far beyond the beaten path. Whether embarking on a challenging overlanding expedition or enjoying a memorable off-grid escape at a favorite campsite, it offers a unique but well-equipped platform for the adventures its next caretaker dreams to set out on.

For the Silo, Ramsay Potts/Broad Arrow Auctions.

Supplemental

Thirty-one 101s were converted by Land Rover with styled bodyshells for the 1995 Sylvester Stallone film Judge Dredd. Land Rover is supposedly the world’s only surviving ground vehicle manufacturer in 2139 when the film is set, and the green oval logo can be seen on the side of the vehicles, known as “City CABs” talkingpix.com

A 101 C re-styled for the movie Judge Dredd.

SPOTLIGHT: The Casio SK series keyboards, carries great nostalgia for many who grew up in the 80s and 90s.

My friend got one for his birthday, and after spending an entire day at his place sampling burps, coughs and farts, I knew I was destined to become an electronic musician. If this is your story too- let us know below in the comments section.

The SK line’s distinctive design and sound evoke memories of early bedroom-made electronic music and hip-hop production, making it a sought-after collector’s item. The SK sound quality is characterized by its lo-fi charm. Everything sampled into it sounds like crap, but in a good way!

There’s a thriving community of musicians and collectors who appreciate the SK-2 , SK-5, SK-8 et al for their historical significance and cultural impact.

Used prominently on my 2008 release of AUDIOCOSM by Jarrod Barker, the SK-8 was used as a sampling beat box and also one or two of its famous presets were used in a loop to create swirling matrices of sound on a number of tracks. I found this keyboard in a thrift store in 2007 buried in the children’s electronic toys. It was $2.99 CAD and even had the battery cover. This fortuitous discovery was the spark that led to the writing and recording (on a boat no less!) of AUDIOCOSM.

The rare white version of the SK-10.

At their absolute basic, the SK line are fun keyboards and a great introduction tool to lo-fi sampling. But there is much more.

After recording a short audio sample (recorded either via the built in monophonic microphone or by plugging in an audio source using the 1/8″ female jack) you can choose from various envelopes (settings that affect how the sound starts, how long it sounds and how it ends) and also select whether to reverse or loop samples. These toy synthesizers are a treat when connected via guitar effects pedals. A good outboard effect can transform these keyboards into something much more powerful and believable. If that isn’t enough you can explore the factory preset sounds some of which sound more realistic than others but all have usefulness in the correct setting.

Most SK’s have a decent enough piano, vibraphone, flute, trumpet and clarinet sounds. There are also built-in speakers that are loud enough for mobile use such as camping or beach hang outs and of course the SK’s run on batteries. They also have line out feature which bypasses the onboard speakers allowing you to record them into your favorite DAW or standalone recording machine….an analog 4 track is a great bedfellow.

The Mod community and the SK (circuit bending)

Due to it’s relative affordability (used prices have continued to rise in the past 10 years) the SK series of keyboards have been embraced by electronic musician modifiers. Their basic construction and ease of internal access makes modifying them a lot of fun. The creativity of modders seems to be endless- everything from MIDI control to individual audio outputs to real time control of sound chips using dip switches or rotary controls.

Join that thriving community by buying this one from our friend at Tone Tweakers today! For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

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