The Range Rover Carmichael 6-Wheeler FINALLY Arrives, and it's AWESOME!

The garage at Wingnut Manor welcomes a few new cars including the long awaited 6-Wheel Range Rover after its long journey from France! Plus a quick history of the Range Rover and the Carmichael company that built it.
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#rangerover #6wheeler #radwood

[@firefighterps2]

Need to get yourself a nice tweed jacket for your shooting break. That way, you can legit call yourself Lord of Wingnut Manor.

[@brandonford8092]

Damn skippy

[@CarWizard]

Subscribed!! I dont watch many automotive KZbin channels, because its all I do, and run a shop. Everyday. But this channels going on my watch list. So much to learn from John! Love it.

[@Vimeous]

Carmichael fire tenders were a common sight across the military airfields of the UK. Great you've picked one up and can't wait to see what you do with it

[@throwback19841]

British guy living in California here ... Can I just say I love your snooty posh brit impression

[@j.miller5565]

If making into an off-road truck, I'd look into having a rear driveshaft made up to install if stuck. Also add an air compressor. Looks like an awesome truck, just remember to pray to the B.L. God's that the smoke doesn't release while working on the electric system.

[@Jason_Quinn]

And a winch rated for at least the weight of the truck.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Making it 6 wheel drive is a minimum $20,000 problem, check out how much extra it costs in other conversions.

[@markscully2342]

problem is getting the drive out of the back of the first diff???

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@markscully2342 You need the special middle diff from a 6WD vehicle.

[@drurybryan]

Love the rover, hilarious! Looks like a riot to roam around in.

[@g0fvt]

There were quite a few 6 wheel conversions done in the UK. some airfield fire appliances, some conventional bodied. Someone locally to me in the late 1980s had a 6 wheel Range Rover convertible. Another fun conversion was shortening the chassis to make a Range Rover bobtail, made them into serious off road machines. FWIW Wood and Pickett were well known for their Range Rover (and Mini) conversions, I visited them way back and remember them working on a 6 wheel Range Rover that was also widened, a commission for someone wealthy in the Middle East. Of course there were also Schuler Presses (later Overfinch) that fitted them with the small block Chevrolet V8 as well as other significant upgrades.

[@TheCannonball79]

My gray market racing friend friend the 80’s and 90’s brought one over from Germany in 86 and it was a blast to drive. I think at the time there were maybe 3 in the NYC metro area and that proved to be its undoing in the end. It was excellent for beach fishing and it had a three pedal transmission with a high low transfer case made it unstoppable in the dunes until the gear box broke. The manual and transfer case were about the size of Civic and impossible to find parts for in the US so after about a year he gave up parted it out. It was fun while it lasted and easy to hose the Blue Fish guts out of it but it was just too far ahead of it’s time.

[@ortnercpa]

The 6 wheeler is such a unique vehicle. It is so cool that you have an affinity for the rare and crazy vehicles.

[@bushmanPMRR]

Sir, as an Englishman I fell entirely comfortable saying aren't you glad the French also drive on the wrong side of the road? 😉😂 In all seriousness though, any English car fan will always have a deep reverence to GM/Buick for building that aluminium 215ci and as much as its a shame it didn't catch on in the USA, your loss was our gain as this block in various guises was pretty much the go-to V8 engine for virtually all British cars for over forty years. As you mentioned, it powered not only the Range Rover and the Rover P6 but also the Rover P5 (another fantastic old English car) but it was also used for ambulances and army gun tractors (look up Land Rover 101 GS, its a beast!) The engine was also used in MG sports cars, the Rover SD1 and it even got used on some of the utterly bonkers TVR sports cars, it was such a versatile engine and its unfortunate demise was entirely down to those utter 'bar stewards' at Bavarian Murder Weapons! Regarding your rig, it looks very nice and straight and although the engines got swapped around a lot they were enlarged from 3.5 litre to 3.9 between 1989/1990 so yours does seem period correct. If you are considering taking it off roading/trailing you may find the rear axle a bit of a handicap, I'd certainly investigate LSD or locking differentials if your'e not putting drive to the rear axle. I'm guessing your'e quite a fan of the old RRC and in the very unlikely event of you not having it, I can very highly recommend a book called Range Rover First Generation by James Taylor (ISBN 978-1-78500-411-7), it's a very detailed and informative book with plenty of photos as well as facts and history, including a section on Carmichael and other six wheelers. Finally, with the quick look around your garage that's worth subscribing and I'll be looking at your other videos as well. Many thanks for a cracking video, cheers!

[@stevelang5978]

Love the 914! One of the coolest but most underappreciated cars ever built. I would own one if my big self would fit in it.

[@speeder-scout4541]

Please do more videos! I know, it's a lot of work, but you definitely have "The Skid Factory" potential. 🙂👍

[@rileyeld]

Loved seeing the Range Rover at Radwood Norcal!

[@efariab3820]

John, another awesome episode 😀👍 ! Beside your out of this world 6 wheeler Range Rover, I love all the other great cars in your garage, too . I know Tom & Sandy (Tom's wife) Provasi from the late '80's, we all auto crossed, time trialed and raced for years! In fact that 914 used to be purple or dark blue and for years, tom took top time of the day at PCA Annual Porsche parade events and more . Keep up the good work John & Matt, Essy Fariab

[@allgood6760]

Cool presentation... we operated the Carmichael 6 wheel fire appliance with our NZ Fire Service🚒🔥🇳🇿

[@AxelWonkardan]

I have worked on the last 2 door that came from the factory. Sold new to Portugal, imported to Finland few years ago. Fully documented car, probably will be sold to Europe by now.

[@defenderjon6711]

matt, Matt MATT!!! :)

[@Jlinwoodjackson]

OMG…. That impersonation of the “elites” that bought these 6wheelers… was HILARIOUS!! Sounded so much like those types… so funny

[@tony66au]

😍Adventures in Birmabright Magnesium alloy, NOW you have my attention John! I have a few Rangie Classics but my pride is an 83 4 door, LT95 Manual of which im the 3rd owner and this thing is as original as can be. Awesomely capable for the time and still today although the 3.5 needs some love they are a fun thing and a great introduction to Auto Electrics lol Looking forward to more on the Carmichael :-D

[@frasermartin6728]

Drove a Commando Fire Tender a few times - it used to come to us for service - as wes one of a few other mad conversions I had access to. They handled like a Cadillac on suspension made of cake!

[@MrDekra]

Love your passion John, really wish you posted more. The explanation of the Range Rover and one of your other older videos is fantastic and really gives off how strongly you feel about the vehicle! Thanks

[@TomF1970]

Great video and history layout of the Rover family of vehicle. It actually makes more sense now. Truck looks awesome as expected.

[@hgtydjdjdgh67889]

Just like you, I love 6-wheel vehicles. The first one I clearly remember was on the cover of Truck Trend around 2002/3, a guy added an axle to the new Silverado 3500 and I thought it was the coolest thing.

[@bicyclist2]

I remember that this thing was on a CAR Trek episode with Ed at the wheel. Ed showed the poor build quality. This is a very interesting Range Rover. Thank you.

[@jfv65]

I used to own a 3.9L Vogue. Not a 6wheeler LOL. In the past there used to be a lot of companies that modded the RR Classic. Fi. you could buy a souped up version that got a bigger Yank V8 (5.7L? I'm not sure) the company was called Overfinch. They also did work on the suspention like lowering, bigger s-bars, probably also bigger brakes. Very cool luxury conversions that were a bit like the Monteverdi Safari. You know, bespoke upmarket 4x4 SUV's. As far as the original 2dr RRC they were also used by our Dutch highway police. The guys doing the technical stuff after an accident used them. No doubt the UK police used them as well. Cool trucks!

[@DanaOrtiz]

I found my KZbin home base lol. Thank you to vinwiki and John himself for the content.

[@TheJsantinho]

John Love the channel, get into a rhythm of posting new videos. Love them all.

[@marktwain8192]

This man is such a wealth of knowledge. Every video I watch, I learn something new. Edit - CarTrek sticker. Next season sneak peak?

[@AutoholicsAnonymous]

More videos, more live, streams, more more more! I could listen to you for hours!

[@markscully2342]

looking at the camber angles of those rear wheels I would check out all the rear suspension joints and bushes!

[@gsmith207]

Proof we never left 8th grade! Love it JF! Wicked cool

[@user-sk3tn1hr8t]

Very informative video. I saw one a couple of weeks ago & filmed it to put it on my George Jacob KZbin channel. I didn't know they made about 400 of them over that time span. The one that I saw was from 1986. Thanks.

[@Kiawah1007]

John, it’s hideous. I love it. Well done amigo.

[@jodywales6760]

GROOVY

[@user-wp2kc8vd5y]

Ministry of Silly Walks! Cool!

[@theanomalous1401]

Good show, old boy! Jolly good show! Pip-pip, and all that bother.

[@shadow105720]

Just get another transfer case and put it so that the rear output is your driveshaft input, the engine input goes onto the middle axle, and the front output goes up over the middle axle to the rear.

[@sammasse4016]

loving the channel, the transition to John in the air conditioned studio was perfect

[@joshacollins84]

That is very cool! I love informative and entertainment value of these videos.

[@ricardoallende2597]

Very interesting

[@BOB70TX]

That is so awesome

[@aymaneoubad5057]

The Kellison was the fastest car the year it came out I believe. Fascinating car... can not wait for a video on it ! Cheers !

[@grantmckendry3323]

It's completely nuts, but I love it. Looking forward to seeing it being turned into an overlander.

[@MrMontychops]

Rebodied Carmicheal TACR/2 6 x 4, none were 6 x 6 & far more than adding a driveshaft to make it thus. Bloody lovely 👍

[@charliewolf7500]

Congratulations on the purchase. We have some Six Wheeled Range rovers in Australia. In the Royal Australian Army, we had many Six Wheeled Land Rovers, with overly high sprung suspension, that will hurt your back and you would want to spend as little time in the back of. Cheers from Australia mate.

[@Bumrush336]

Keep em' coming John!

[@OnlyTheFinest125]

I agree with Matt

[@adamhelstad496]

Happy to have a new video

[@zdr5191]

Add another driveshaft to make it a true 6X6. This will add your own touch to it.

[@FicarraClassic]

Working on it!

[@jimz68]

I love the MoSW T-shirt.

[@FicarraClassic]

Had a feeling you'd appreciate that.

[@jamwest3146]

Congratulation for the 6ix wheel find.

[@andrewmcewan8081]

theres quite a few 6 wheeled range and land rovers also g wagons in europe as they were used on small airports as emergency vehicals , normally for fires with those mad old foam cannons

[@virtualstatic]

This truck is truly amazing. Also super excited to see someone else has the monty python/karate kid shirt that i've had for years now. Love the videos, and stories, and history that you shed on the world of cars, keep up the amazing work!

[@aidendewey6103]

Can't wait for the car launch footage, Loving your videos as always John!

[@windsor35142]

ahh the ship of theseus

[@drewwrobel564]

Best channel!

[@hammyh1165]

Carmichael made a load of these they were very popular at the time with Arab princes in the Middle East. You can convert them to 6x6 with a bit of work.

[@plainbrownwrapper9688]

That's a pretty cool and interesting Rover. Also I couldn't help but like your mint Silverado that was pulling the trailer. As a rust belter, I noticed right away it had rockers lol. Awesome channel and cannot wait to see more.

[@Ultrachris2k]

Love your videos, thank you!

[@FicarraClassic]

Thanks for watching!

[@anthonysmalawipredators8794]

Old Buick engines have a great mystique about them that just fascinates me. Not quite as popular as the big three but certainly a formidable opponent! Would love to learn more about the nailhead and fireball platforms

[@jackficarra3400]

Love that car!

[@thomasw.glasgow7449]

check out 6 whl ambulance ver , been around from the late 70's , yeah great vid , aye !

[@RNOdrift]

Love it 🇪🇪🚂

[@johnmichaelgavin3617]

Another great video! Loving the new audio 👌

[@wm9904]

The p6 is a cool car, having owned a 3500s

[@Happymali10]

9:00 Someone in the US complaining about poor European restorations gave me a big laugh, thanks for that^^

[@grahammiddleton8447]

Hi John. I just found your channel and I must say it is an excellent channel. The variety and the production has made it one of my top 3 channels already. Please keep up the great work. Happy New Year from Northern Ireland in the UK to one of the countries we lost.......and we are much poorer in every way because of it! God bless America

[@scottwhitmire6613]

Yes John 🇬🇧 But are you still on board for the Round The Isle Yacht Rigatta ? 🇬🇧

[@andrewmcewan8081]

ministery of funny walks t ... approved .

[@josephboley]

I love the strange car's.

[@weaton25]

Way back in the mid 1980s I should add I live in England and just a couple of miles down the road from where I lived there is a large country house and the guy who lived there had one of these he also had a new Bentley and other cars but I do remember his wife used it to do the shopping in.

[@aliassmithandjones9453]

I've driven a 6 wheel vehicle before-a dually pickup 😆

[@ianhardin1148]

Hey, John! We need some more content from you! VinWiki/CarTrek appearances are awesome (you're one of my favorite storytellers) but its not enough. Everytime I see a 928 for sale I think of contacting you about it-lol.

[@funclepinky]

You are forgetting international truck. They made people haulers as far back as 1958 with the b series travelall.

[@finboyYYC]

6x6 conversion soon?

[@drink__more__water]

Shots fired at *reads notes* Europe.

[@hendo337]

You kniw what would be the perfect thing to do with it, get a nice sized battery from a wrecked EV, make the rear axle electric, that way it's a plug in hybrid, you wouldnt need 6wd for long distances or high speeds, you'd get regen braking, you might even be able to take some of the accessories off the engine and make those electric to get more effiency and power out of the little V8, it would deffantly come off the line quicker in combined gas electric mode. Beyond that a 4.6L or Buick 300/340/350 swap possibly with aluminum heads and intake or even the cathedrial port looking 350 heads could be pretty mean and still very light and torquey. Of course dollar for dollar an LS swap, even a 5.3 is probably going to destroy an Rover or Buick V8 on power, fuel economy, everything.

[@JAKMAN32]

All hail the algorithm

[@gary53]

I saw one of these in the mid 1990's in Alice Springs in the centre of Australia... It would look better using the LSE and the two door rear.

[@NikoMoraKamu]

i was the pope back then and i can confirm that was my range rover

[@ashp5406]

Noice....we know how much you like 6 wheelers...

[@andrewmcewan8081]

the range rover - G,M V8 story is much different but main thing is they didnt ask permission they bought all the rights and patents belonging to the engine and then reworked it to the point G,M tried to buy it all back twice at least

[@andrewkruspe-su8gg]

Hate to reverse park that

[@herbert92x]

Neat Range Rover. How in the heck did you get that past CARB?

[@rockatansky1305]

Paris France ? Yes we know where Paris is.!

[@kyliandc9276]

It. looks like it has a sunroof from a Renault Twingo !

[@TimTam770]

RadWood SO CAL is coming up right?

[@chiefrocka8604]

Carmichael did Range Rover ambos fire engines and other specialist stuff British craftsmanship and the kind you’d see going up mountains or on airfields

[@funclepinky]

Put tank tracks on ithe rear after you lift it. That is the poor man's six-by-six. Or poor man's half track.

[@paulheywood2116]

The body line above the rear wheels is hard to see seems fainter than the front

[@neilmckay8649]

Grandpa's Hammer? Check Trigger's Broom, much funnier

[@jeffreymiles1274]

Have you worked on the Tyrrell P34?

[@FicarraClassic]

Spend a lot of time with the one that was at Canepa. One of my favorites of all time.

[@jeffreymiles1274]

@@FicarraClassic How about the Tamiya 1/12 kit? I spotted it on one of your earlier videos. You may have inspired me to start on one that I have had for ~15 years.

[@Jlinwoodjackson]

What kind of bandsaw was next to the 914-6? It was against the wall. Is that a metal bandsaw??

[@1963neil]

So, a conversion based on a (wait for it)... Panther platform? I'll show myself out.

[@kavinskysmith4094]

So if this thing has a V8, why was it so weak in the car trek thing? like does it need a headgasket and an overhauled cooling system like the Triumph Stag which used the same motor, or is the transmission shot?

[@jasonglisson1690]

It's cool but there's alot of back hanging back there

[@4den63]

The range rover is cool but considering the added weight i feel like its underpower and will easily get stuck because its single diff and weights more

[@fijigreen69]

You had 420 likes when I started watching. 😂

[@alanquintus2069]

John your six wheel fetish is contagious. The world is safe because my fabrication skill set can't keep up with my imagination. Today's pipe dream is a street legal clone of the 1948 Pat Clancey Special. The Range Rover is gonna be cool.

[@stonerwallsend9563]

Sandtoft air field Doncaster north east England has a six wheel Carmichael fire range rover