The Shorland armoured car was designed by Frederick Butler MBE during the early 1960s. The first prototype he produced was registered 4471 AZ and was built on a 109 inch wheel base Land Rover. The body was flat sided, with a rectangular rear and a square turret.

Shorland Prototype Stage 1.

The design was refined using sloping upper sides, a sloping rear section and the addition of a turret based upon a Ferret armoured car turret.

Shorland Prototype Stage 2

Shorland Stage 2 internal view

Further refinements make the Shorland look more familiar. But note where the headlights are now; as they would be in Series IIA Land Rover on which it was based.

Shorland late prototype

When the Shorland had nearly reached its production stage, the headlights were moved into the wings and military style Lucas glass lenses were used for the sidelights and turn lights. Some experimentation was going on with periscopes, which can be seen above the visors carrying the laminated vision blocks for direct vision. This vehicle was used on the first Shorland sales brochures.

Shorland final prototype