11 replies to this topic

[Will16]

Bit random, but I thought if anywhere would have any info, it would be here! I've recently bought a pickup shell, when I went to collect it, I got some more info on it, it was ex-Royal Navy. Built in 1979, but not properly registered until 1988, it was black (special order apparently) with only a 850cc, number plate stencilled on the dash rail.

 

Does anyone have any info on these? The seller was saying there is only like 4 left. Now I'm not really one for originality, I was planning to take the running gear from my other one and swap it into this, but now I'm not so sure!

 

 

 

[KTS]

With a 9 year discrepancy between build and registration you'll probably want to get a heritage certificate to claim tax exemption anyway, and you may find it provides some detail on who it was supplied to...

[yeti21586]

Didnt think 1979 was eligible for tax exemption yet

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

It will be from April 2020.

[mab01uk]

Would be nice to see it researched and restored to original Royal Navy specification......a very rare history to find and will only add extra value and interest to the finished Pickup's restoration. All the Mini magazines will also want to feature the finished article !

Edited by mab01uk, 08 March 2019 - 08:43 AM.

[KTS]

if it's ex RN then I wouldn't be at all surprised to find broad arrow marks stamped somewhere on the body

[mab01uk]

Message for you from a member of the mk1 forum which might help after he viewed my link to here:-

"I'm not a member of that forum MAB. Could you tell him that until the early 80's or so, RN vehicles had registrations 12 RN 34 and were always painted a dark blue and had RN on the doors as a rule. That was until the MoD got to grips with the stupidity of it all and called in Sir Derek Rayned (ex Marks and Spencer) who decreed that all non specialised MoD vehicles would retain their usual commercial colour. More to it than that, but the RN number plate will be the give-away."

[GreaseMonkey]

I'd kill for a pickup shell! Very jealous, it looks like a good'un 

[Will16]

Thanks, it certainly is a tidy shell! Does need a little welding but it really is only a weekends work.

 

Mab01uk, thank you for that, much appreciated! The number plate that was stencilled on the dash rail was something like "58 RN 90", I'd have a look what it actually is but it is in storage. It does say black on the v5 though, I'd love to see a picture of a RN pickup, there is models of the vans but literally nowt for the pups.

 

I'm unsure of what to do now, I bought it as it had already been worked on and all of the original parts were stolen, thinking it would be an ideal modified project. Might still do it, can always rebuild it again, I dont plan on ever letting it go 

[mab01uk]

Will16 more info from the ex-services Mk1 forum member see below, if you want his contact details pm me:-

 

"This big vehicle and kit change by Rayner affected my job at the time (I was a full time TA REME Technical Officer then) so I know a fair bit about the vehicle side of things relating to this. If he'd like to contact me I'll fill him in with some more detail. Remember the bronze green Army minis and vans? He stopped them too."

[mab01uk]

The RN also had Mini Mokes....

 

[KTS]

if it helps, I think the only original part you'll struggle to replace is the frame for the headlining. Almost everything else was shared with other models apart from the rear screen which you should be able to source (..there was a full set of pickup glass in the for sale section recently..)

Whatever route you take it'll be good to see another pickup resurrected