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NORTH
AMERICAN SPECIALS and PROTOTYPES
Left:
The Original
"Big-Foot". Built for Shell Oil Company in 1963 for use in
Alaska during exploration of possible pipeline routes, this 88" was
fitted with special wheels and tyres that would enable it to cross the
vast Tundra. Under the rear floor, running off the pto, was an
aircompressor, thus enabling the driver to inflate the tyres from 2-pis to
20-psi. To enable
steering the massive tyres, a Garrison power-steering system was fitted.
Up front was a Koenig pto winch. The cost of the tyres and wheels alone
was more than the then current retail price of the Land Rover! The Project
Development Engineer was Richard Green. Photo was taken on Monterey beach,
CA. To our knowledge, this vehicle is still owned by Shell Oil and still
in use. Has anyone seen it?
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Left:
Rover Motor Company of NA (Canada) built this vehicle at the request of
the Canadian Forestry Service. This "high-clearance" 109"
was capable of crossing ditches, drains, boulders, etc. Notice how the LR
is crab-tracked… thus enabling it to steer and so the rear wheels do not
follow in the front wheels tracks, thus increasing traction.
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Right:
This 88" dual-wheeled special was an idea sponsored by then Land
Rover dealer Bill Reno of Boulder, Colorado, a great enthusiast. Not
totally successful due to premature axle and hub bearing/seal failure. The
idea was right, but further development by Solihull wasn’t forthcoming. |
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