Is a S3 lightweight devalued by having a later diesel fitted or is it the all round condition that matters more than having a diesel lump fitted, I understand they were all petrol originally and the S2A I had years ago was?
Further question the top of the bulkhead around the vent flaps does that come off separate or is it a welded part of the bulkhead?
Murray.

vtwin said:

Is a S3 lightweight devalued by having a later diesel fitted or is it the all round condition that matters more than having a diesel lump fitted, I understand they were all petrol originally and the S2A I had years ago was?
Further question the top of the bulkhead around the vent flaps does that come off separate or is it a welded part of the bulkhead?
Murray.

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Hi, the lightweights made for the Dutch Army were fitted with 2 1/4 Diesel engines.
The vent panel on all lightweights were all removable some of them over the years have been
welded up.
As for value the over all condition such as bulkhead, chassis, body is the main things i would
be more concerned about its easier to find an engine and transmission than body parts.
Which diesel engine is fitted to yours?
Mal

Obviously an original petrol in good condition is most valuable. However a decent lightweight with a good diesel is still good value. (Mally has mentioned Dutch ones) A lot have tdi conversions to make them more usable. It’s more down to if you want collectible originality or classic but modernised.

the upper bulkhead should detach from the lower

Thanks for news on bulkhead top.
Unfortunately the diesel is the early 2.5 TD which I have heard is prone to failure, haven't purchased it yet but had a good look today, chassis looks ok already had a new back end welded on nicely. Its a bit tatty all-round especially the wiring under the bonnet, shame it wasn't the 2.5 NA.

Can't be many decent Lightweights about, many has V8's chucked in and were ragged to bits in trials.
As it has a 2.5 Turbo D in it there should not have been too many modifications to fit it and could easily be converted back to petrol with the minimum of fuss.
It will be more interesting as a military vehicle if it still has its military chassis plate which will have the original military registration number which will enable you to trace its military history.
I would be far more concerned about rust in all the usual places. You say it has had a new crossmember, is it the correct military type or a civvy one?
I'm surprised that you wish it was a 2.5 N/A, quite possibly the slowest engine in the world. There are plenty of decent 2.5 N/A engines knocking about that have been ripped out for TDi conversions if that's what you want to fit..

Yeah, I was probably thinking it would plod along for years but who knows maybe the TD will also.

Huddy84 said:

Obviously an original petrol in good condition is most valuable. However a decent lightweight with a good diesel is still good value. (Mally has mentioned Dutch ones) A lot have tdi conversions to make them more usable. It’s more down to if you want collectible originality or classic but modernised.

the upper bulkhead should detach from the lower

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I have a Dutch lightweight which i rebuilt over a couple of years ..new.1/4 chassis ect ect .it,s got the original 2/14 engine in which is plenty good enough for me. one of the first jobs i did was get rid of that stupid butterfly valve in the intake manifold and fit a peugeot 205 vacuum pump to give it decent brakes