- The Ricardo Longline Strike Vehicle was deployed in the first Gulf War
- It was designed for the SAS as a highly mobile long-range patrol vehicle
A former SAS armed dune buggy previously owned by TV adventurer Bear Grylls is being sold for £35,000.
The vehicle – which is one of six to have taken part in the first Gulf War – was built specifically for the Herefordshire-based special forces unit and looks similar to the machines used by SAS founding members Paddy Mayne and David Stirling during the North African campaign.
The Ricardo Longline Strike Vehicle was delivered to the SAS who wanted a tough, lightweight vehicle that could cope with desert conditions, while being armed to the teeth
The dune buggy featured and exposed tubular body with special sling points allowing it to be airlifted by helicopter.
The vehicle – which is one of six to have taken part in the first Gulf War was built specifically for the Herefordshire-based special forces unit and looks similar to the machines used by SAS founding members Paddy Mayne and David Stirling during the North African campaign
It could be armed with a heavy-machine gun, a grenade launcher or even a MILAN anti-tank missile system
The vehicle was once owned by former SAS reservist and TV adventurer Bear Grylls
It could be armed with a heavy-machine gun, a grenade launcher or even a MILAN anti-tank missile system.
The 34-year-old dune buggy uses modified Volkswagen parts, and features a flat-four water-cooled petrol engine originally designed for the VW T5 transporter van.
Unlike the van, this version comes with four-wheel drive and was fitted with a roof-mounted Browning machine gun which was used by the operator on an elevated back seat.
The vehicle is on sale with The Classic Motor Hub who are based at the former RAF Bibury fighter station in the Cotswolds.
A spokesman said: ‘Driving through a manual four-speed gearbox, it was capable of well over 60mph and had a full-length skidplate to protect the mechanical components when traversing rough terrain.
‘Weapons options that could be fitted included a machine gun, grenade launcher or the MILAN anti-tank missile system.
Colonel Paddy Mayne, pictured, former Irish rugby international and founding member of the SAS was renowned for his use of heavily armed light-weight vehicles to perform daring sabotage missions far behind enemy lines during the North Africa campaign
For those hoping to cut through traffic with the roof mounted Browning heavy machine gun, the weapon has been deactivated and will be supplied with the certificate to show it is legal to own in the UK
The vehicle was made in the run up to the start of the first Gulf War using parts of various Volkswagens – including the engine from a Volkswagen van
‘The vehicle being offered for sale was one of just five four-wheel-drive Mk2s that were built for the SAS in 1990 during the lead-up to the first Gulf War.
‘Following the end of that conflict, it served with 24 Airmobile Brigade in 1991 and took part in that year’s Certain Shield NATO exercise.’
The buggy was once owned by Bear Grylls and Ludovic Lindsay, who is well known in the classic car scene as a racer of historic motors.
The listing states: ‘Now fitted with a deactivated 50-calibre Browning heavy machine gun – the official deactivation certificate is supplied – this Longline LSV comes with a technical manual, archive photographs and a number of magazine articles.
‘A rare sight even at specialist vehicle shows, it occupies a fascinating niche in military transport history and is a distinctive talking point wherever it goes.’
