Daimler Ferret Scout Car

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

The Daimler Ferret is one of the most successful light armoured vehicles ever made and some 4,500 were produced between 1952 and 1971.

Designed for battlefield reconnaissance duties, it was sold to over 35 countries and is still in active service in various parts of the world, although the last combat deployment by the British Army was in Operation Granby during the 1991 Gulf War.

The great virtue of the Ferret in private hands is that it is genuinely useable and can be safely driven by just one person, with good all round visibility from the driving seat. Fully road legal, it has a useful top speed of 58mph, a range of 200 miles, is incredibly tough and, of course, will go absolutely anywhere thanks to its 4x4 drive system.

Clearly built without regard to cost with superb engineering throughout, it is powered by a lusty 130bhp Rolls Royce B60 4.25-litre straight-six petrol engine which transmits its power through a five-speed Wilson pre-selector gearbox which also gives all five gears in reverse.

Ferrets were available in a confusing number of variants, largely differentiated by the thickness of the armour and the type of weapons that they carried. This is a Ferret Mk2/3, arguably the nicest version for civilian use since it has a large turret which can accommodate two people comfortably and more at a squeeze.

Built in 1958 it remained in military service until being demobbed in September 2009 when it was acquired by the vendor at an MOD auction. Initially registered 05 CC 11, it has been re-registered 811 XUY for road use. Since acquiring the vehicle the vendor has treated it to a full refurbishment including sand blasting the old paintwork and repainting it in desert colours outside, silver inside.

It has also been refreshed mechanically including an engine service with new plugs, points, oil and filters; full brake overhaul with reconditioned wheel cylinders, brake adjusters, hand brake cables and brake linings; new front wheel bearings and all hub oil seals; two new heavy duty 12 volt batteries and new ‘run flat’ tyres.

A complete and working Larkspur radio and power unit, complete with full working intercom system, has also been fitted and much of the original military equipment retained. Said to run and drive well with a smoothly operating pre-selector gearbox, it is showing only 679 miles on the odometer which is believed to be the genuine mileage covered from new.

Now in show condition throughout, it is sure to be of interest to the military aficionado as well as to any person with a love of good machinery and fun driving. It will certainly upstage everything else in the golf club car park – or the paddock at Goodwood.