4×4S.ORGTHE REGISTRY NAMED MODEL · 1963
NAMED MODELSpecial · Prototypes & CustomSpecial · Utility & HeavyUnited Kingdom

129-inch 30 cwt Prototype Truck ‘Lofty’.

Rover's 1963 129-inch prototype, chassis 129/5, with a 2.5-litre CAV turbo diesel and separate dropside body. Modelled in its preserved grey, open-bed configuration as FYF 928C.

Sources & evidence
BUILT BYThe Rover Company, Solihull (prototype)IN SERVICE1963OPERATED INUnited KingdomPRODUCTION6 prototypesLAYOUT4 wheels · 129″

The record

The fifth of six prototypes built between 1959 and 1963, this truck was intended for civil and military customers. Its 2.5-litre diesel had a CAV turbocharger and intercooler. Its original military-demonstrator body included a canvas tilt.

Following FVRDE trials at Chobham, it returned to Solihull and later became a CAV works vehicle at Acton. CAV registered it in June 1965. Brian Bashall purchased it in 1968 for the collection. Dunsfold's three photographs document the preserved open bed, grey paint, white cab roof, black wheels and rear lamp arrangement.

The source's Solihull provenance and documented British trial and works users support United Kingdom origin and operation; the intended Middle East market is not evidence of service there. Model dimensions other than the documented wheelbase are visual approximations; gameplay performance values are not historical specifications.

Specification

MANUFACTURERThe Rover Company, Solihull (prototype)
MANUFACTUREDChassis 129/5, 1963; registered June 1965
ENGINE2.5 L diesel with CAV turbocharger and intercooler; four-speed gearbox
PRODUCTION RUN6 prototypes (1959–63)
COUNTRY OF ORIGINUnited Kingdom
OPERATED INUnited Kingdom
STATUSpreserved — Dunsfold Collection
CHASSIS129/5
REGISTRATIONFYF 928C (June 1965)
WHEELBASE129 in
RATING30 cwt
BODYDropside rear body with canvas tilt (military demonstrator)
TRIALSFVRDE Chobham; later CAV Acton works vehicle
RECORD KINDNamed model
WHEELS4
NOMINAL WHEELBASE129″
CATEGORYSpecial · Prototypes & Custom, Special · Utility & Heavy

Catalogue fields describe the vehicle's structure and body as this registry records it. They are not certified factory measurements, and no performance figures are published here.

AI rendering impression

An AI rendering impression starts from a 3D model of this vehicle, which an image model then paints into a scene. It is an artist's impression of the type, made to give a feel for the vehicle in its element — not a photograph, and not a record of any particular vehicle.

Proportions, fittings, markings, colours and the setting can all drift from the original in the process. For the vehicle's actual details, rely on the specification, the photographs and the cited sources on this page.

Where it was

GB United Kingdom1963–1968 · Rover prototype
  1. BuiltRover Company, Lode Lane, SolihullUnited Kingdom · 196352.43, -1.78
  2. PreservedDunsfold CollectionUnited Kingdom · 1968 →51.12, -0.56

Sources

  1. 11963 Prototype 30cwt 129-inch turbo diesel truck ↗The Dunsfold Collection · accessed 2026-09-14SOURCE
  2. 2FYF 928C front-left quarter: bonnet, grille, cab and open dropside body. Linked reference only. ↗The Dunsfold CollectionIMAGE
  3. 3Left side: wheelbase proportions, tanks, steps and guards. Linked reference only. ↗The Dunsfold CollectionIMAGE
  4. 4Rear-right quarter: tailgate bracing, black rear panel, lamp and plate positions. Linked reference only. ↗The Dunsfold CollectionIMAGE
  5. 5https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/129-lofty/https://dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/collection/129-lofty/ ↗REFERENCE

Registry record updated 2026-09-16T05:55:32.031Z · status: researched