Land Rover Forward Control Series IIB 109
The Land Rover Forward Control was one of the most utilitarian vehicles Land Rover ever produced. By placing the driver above the front axle in a cab-forward configuration, Land Rover maximized the payload area on the standard 109-inch wheelbase chassis, creating a vehicle that could carry significantly more cargo than the conventional bonneted Land Rover.
The Series IIB Forward Control was powered by a 2,625cc inline-six engine producing 76 horsepower — a modest output that was nonetheless adequate for a vehicle designed primarily for heavy hauling at low speeds. The engine was mounted beneath the cab floor, accessible through a tilting cab or floor panels. A four-speed manual gearbox with two-speed transfer case provided permanent four-wheel drive.
The cab design was purely functional. Two occupants sat on a bench seat positioned above the engine, giving excellent forward visibility but exposing them to significant engine heat and noise. The windscreen was flat and could be folded forward, and the doors were simple flat panels with sliding windows. The overall effect was more agricultural than automotive.
The Forward Control's primary market was military and commercial users who needed maximum payload capacity with off-road capability. Military versions were used as troop carriers, ambulances, signals vehicles, and general-purpose transporters. Commercial users employed them as fire tenders, utility vehicles, and construction site transport.
The chassis was essentially the standard 109-inch Land Rover frame, strengthened to handle the increased payload. Live axles on semi-elliptic leaf springs provided the suspension, with the heavier-duty springs reflecting the vehicle's load-carrying role. Drum brakes at all four wheels required servo assistance to provide adequate stopping power.
Forward Control production was relatively limited compared to standard Land Rovers, as the vehicles served a niche market. The Series IIB version was produced from 1962 to 1966 before being replaced by the revised Series IIB forward control with the 2.6-liter six-cylinder engine.
Today, the Forward Control is one of the rarest and most unusual Land Rover variants. Its distinctive appearance and genuine workhorse capability make it a prized find for Land Rover collectors and enthusiasts.
Chassis condition is critical — check for corrosion in the heavier-duty frame rails. The inline-six engine is generally robust. Cab tilting mechanism should function. Check for structural damage from overloading (common in commercial use). Military provenance adds value. Body panels are shared with standard Land Rovers in some areas. Very few specialists work on Forward Controls.
Produced at Land Rover's Solihull factory from 1962. The Forward Control was a low-volume specialist variant. Exact production numbers are not well documented but estimated at a few thousand units across all Forward Control variants.