The Ferret armoured scout car is a British armoured fighting vehicle designed and built for reconnaissance purposes. The Ferret was produced between 1952 and 1971 by Daimler and was widely adopted by regiments throughout the British Army and Royal Air Force and Commonwealth countries throughout the period. During its near-twenty year production, 4,409 Ferrets were produced for global and domestic markets and continued in service of the British military until 1991.
Crewless, the Mk1 Ferret weighed in at 3.7 tons and was powered by a 4.3-litre Rolls-Royce straight six petrol engine connected by a fluid coupling to a pre-selector five-speed epicyclical gearbox allowing all gears to also be available in reverse. With drive going to all four wheels, the engine produced 130 bhp at 3,750 rpm, reached a top speed on 58 mph and had an operational range of 190 miles.
Constructed of armoured steel plate (from 6mm to 16mm) protecting a crew of two – a commander/driver and a radio operator, the basic reconnaissance vehicle was open-topped sans-turret and unarmed, with the exception of six forward-firing grenade launchers fitted to the hull over the front wheels, a feature retained throughout its production life.
In battle or during armoured manoeuvres, three Ferrets were attached to each tank squadron. Each Ferret trio formed a reconnaissance troop which scouted forward of the heavy armour to locate an enemy’s position.
In a theatre of war, the Ferret would have carried a 7.7mm Bren light machine gun or a pintle-mounted 7.62mm Browning light machine gun for defensive purposes, in addition to the crew's personal weapons.
Apart from the information sheets from the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, little is known of the military history of PSL 124, or ‘00 CA 33’ to give it its original military designation. We do know that it commenced military duties in July, 1958.
The Ferret received its first UK civilian registration in August, 2000, being one of just two former keepers, the first of which was of course the British Army.
In early 2019, the vehicle was acquired by its third and current owner. It was in a rather sorry state and was promptly dispatched to A+S of East Harling of Norfolk - renowned restorers of military vehicles. It’s thorough interior and exterior refurbishment and rebuild is recorded in a bespoke book which shows detailed images at various stages of the vehicle’s mechanical and bodywork restoration.
Along with the V5C registered in the current keeper’s name, there are a number of invoices from A+S detailing the restoration work undertaken. Accompanying the sale will be that bespoke book recording the restoration in pictures.
Under normal circumstances, we C&C scribes would extensively detail a Daimler’s lush, dubbin-fed leather interior with rich rosewood inserts accompanied by an air of old cigars. Not so this time.
Inside this Daimler, things are distinctly utilitarian…an environment where nothing exists without purpose and functionality the raison d’etre. The inside is devoid of any creature comforts save three inch-thick padded seats big enough for just one side of one’s rump at a time. There is a ‘seat’ for the driver and one for the radio operator. There is also a height-adjustable ‘commander’s’ chair who would peer over the turret and issue instructions to the driver, who probably couldn’t see much ahead anyway.
There are the usual driving pedals, instrument cluster and a steering wheel, the base of which is angled away to facilitate more interior space. Radio equipment and headphones are installed, as are a raft of various storage areas for military munitions and soldiers’ daily detritus.
The outside of the armoured plate is again distinctly utilitarian in nature. There are four external storage bins, dual grenade banks at the front, a medic bin and the usual front and rear lighting to make it road legal.
The spare wheel is mounted snugly along the port side and a series of armoured peep windows are scattered around the turret to ensure 360o vision.
The enormous steel composite wheels are shod with Dunlop Trak Grip run-flat tyres which resist deflation when punctured, holding their shape enough for the vehicle to drive at reduced speed.
The B60 Rolls-Royce engine takes an acquired skill to fire up and benefits from a spot of manual fuel-pumping and pre-heating.
Once running, the 4.7-litre straight six settles into a deep, sonorous throb at idle. The engine and associated mechanical and running gear were all fully overhauled during the refurbishment in 2019 and are presented in the best possible condition.
As the images in the gallery confirm, the underside presents is excellent condition.
Here, we have a little something for the person who has everything…except a Mk1 Daimler Ferret Scout.
Owning a classic military vehicle such as a Ferret Scout can be tremendous fun - especially a Mk1 example in such fine condition as offered here.
For some owners the priority is the enjoyment of driving a well-maintained vehicle. For others it is simply an off-road leisure activity or for re-enactment purposes. There are regional branches of the Military Vehicle Trust (the world's largest military vehicle club and the only charity dedicated to the conservation of ex-military vehicles).
There also exists the Daimler Ferret Owners’ Group, a collection of non-furry Ferret enthusiasts based in Kent. The Group is open to everyone with historic, current and future interest in the vehicle and rest assured - its members are as knowledgeable and enthusiastic as they come.
G’won, because you’re here, pop on a cheeky bid…you know you want to!
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1958 Mk1 Daimler Ferret Scout
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