Rover Light Armoured Car

[Wayne Henderson]

I recently acquired a Ford CMP based Armoured Car. This Australian designed body was made in 1941 using local 9mm armour plate and fitted to a 1941 cab12 chassis. Two versions were made, MK1 was fitted to a Ford 158 inch chassis then latter the MK2 fitted to the Ford 134 inch chassis.

The vehicle I have is a Mk1 which has suffered over the last 80 years but it is restorable. Only 40 Mk1 bodies were made.

There is very little information available apart from Mike Cecil's Military Profile books, most information on the web has come from this publication.

One eastern state museum claims to have one of only 3 left in the world, which is odd as there are at least 4 in W.A.

I will update this thread as I proceed and add any other information

[Robin Craig]

Wayne,

in the title you mention the name or term Rover. Can you expand on where that came from or what it relates to as you do not mention any Rover connection in the wordage, you have me curious.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Nice find, Wayne!

[Mike Cecil]

Robin,

A series of names were adopted officially for Australian armoured vehicles (except the MG carrier and derivatives).

Car, Light Armoured, (Aust) was the Rover.
Car, Heavy, (Aust) was the Rhino
Car, Scout (Aust) was the Dingo.

The Australian Cruiser tank Mk.1 was the Sentinel, and the Mk.3 was the Thunderbolt.

I've never found an official explanation as to how the names were arrived at, unlike the post-war SP 25-pdr called Yeramba, where the origin of the name is well documented.

The Rover was un-officially known as the Mobile Slit Trench due to the long, narrow open top.

Given Wayne's expertise as we have seen it with Wayne's Wonder Bus, etc, I'm looking forward to this restoration thread. This is indeed a rare vehicle, and it will be fantastic to see it properly restored. I'm sure I'll learn a lot more about the Rover and its construction along the way - there is nothing like the experience of dealing with the real thing.


Mike

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

Robin,

I've never found an official explanation as to how the names were arrived at,

Mike

But it is almost certainly unlikely to have any connection with the UK's Rover Car Company, which is what you were leaning towards, Robin?

[Robin Craig]

Tony and Mike thanks for the replies.

Tony I was by way of exclusion mentioning the Rover Car connection as there was no mention of it, that was my drift.

Interesting project and nice once again to see history getting preserved.