Bear Grylls' armed SAS-4×4, complete with mounted machine gun, retails for £35,000, but you might not want to take it on the highway…

US
By James
  • The Ricardo Longline Strike Vehicle was deployed during the first Gulf War
  • It was designed for the SAS as a highly mobile long-range patrol vehicle

By Darren Boyle

Updated: 04:45 EST, January 7, 2024

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A former armed SAS dune buggy, previously owned by TV adventurer Bear Grylls, is selling for £35,000.

The vehicle – one of six to take part in the first Gulf War – was purpose-built for the Herefordshire-based Special Forces and resembles the machines used by SAS founders Paddy Mayne and David Stirling during the North African campaign. .

The Ricardo Longline Strike Vehicle was supplied to the SAS who wanted a rugged, lightweight vehicle that could withstand desert conditions while being armed to the teeth

The dune buggy had an exposed tubular body with special sling points that allowed it to be transported by helicopter.

The vehicle - one of six to take part in the first Gulf War - was purpose-built for the Herefordshire-based Special Forces and resembles the machines used by SAS founders Paddy Mayne and David Stirling during the North -African campaign.

The vehicle – one of six to take part in the first Gulf War – was purpose-built for the Herefordshire-based Special Forces and resembles the machines used by SAS founders 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

It could be armed with a heavy machine gun, a grenade launcher or even a MILAN anti-tank missile system

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

The vehicle was once owned by former SAS reservist and TV adventurer Bear Grylls

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 water-cooled gasoline engine, originally designed for the VW T5 transporter.

Unlike the van, this version features four-wheel drive and is equipped with a roof-mounted Browning machine gun that was used by the operator on a raised rear seat.

The vehicle is offered for sale with The classic motor hub who are based at the former battle station RAF Bibury in the Cotswolds.

A spokesman said: 'Through a four-speed manual transmission it could reach over 60mph and had a full-length skid plate to protect the mechanical components when driving over rough terrain.

'Weapon options that could be fitted included a machine gun, a grenade launcher or the MILAN anti-tank missile system.

Colonel Paddy Mayne, pictured, former Irish rugby international and founder of the SAS, was known for his use of heavily armed lightweight vehicles to carry out daring sabotage missions far behind enemy lines during the North Africa campaign

Colonel Paddy Mayne, pictured, former Irish rugby international and founder of the SAS, was known for his use of heavily armed lightweight vehicles to carry out daring sabotage missions far behind enemy lines during the North Africa campaign

Colonel Paddy Mayne, pictured, former Irish rugby international and founder of the SAS, was known for his use of heavily armed lightweight vehicles to carry out daring sabotage missions far behind enemy lines during the North Africa campaign

For those who want to cut through traffic with the roof-mounted heavy Browning machine gun, the weapon has been deactivated and will come with the certificate to show that it is legal to own in Britain

For those who want to cut through traffic with the roof-mounted heavy Browning machine gun, the weapon has been deactivated and will come with the certificate to show that it is legal to own in Britain

For those who want to cut through traffic with the roof-mounted heavy Browning machine gun, the weapon has been deactivated and will come with the certificate to show that it is legal to own in Britain

In the run-up to the start of the first Gulf War, the vehicle was made with parts from various Volkswagens - including the engine from a Volkswagen van

In the run-up to the start of the first Gulf War, the vehicle was made with parts from various Volkswagens - including the engine from a Volkswagen van

In the run-up to the start of the first Gulf War, the vehicle was made with parts from various Volkswagens – including the engine from a Volkswagen van

'The vehicle for sale was one of only five four-wheel drive Mk2s built for the SAS in 1990, in the lead-up to the first Gulf War.

'Following the end of that conflict, it served with the 24th Air Brigade in 1991 and took part in NATO's Certain Shield exercise that year.'

The buggy was once owned by Bear Grylls and Ludovic Lindsay, who is known in the classic car world as a racer of historic motorcycles.

The listing states: 'This Longline LSV is now fitted with a deactivated .50 caliber Browning heavy machine gun – the official deactivation certificate is included – and 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 place in the history of military transport and is a distinctive talking point wherever it goes.'

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