Volvo TGB11, C303 Military 4x4 1975

1975 Volvo TGB11, C303 Description

Volvo Cross Country C303, (TGB11, A.K.A "Terrängbil 11", translated as "Terrain Vehicle 11"), is the base model of a range of military vehicles produced by Volvo.

The Truck was developed in the late 60s based on the successful L-3314 series and went into production in 1974. This version was produced both as a 4x4 and a 6x6. An 8x8 was planned but dropped. Engines were the B30 (B20 in the prototypes) from Volvo's civilian cars. The C3 series feature portal axles with locking differentials resulting in very high ground-clearance (similar to the Unimog) and outstanding performance offroad. The cars are narrow to make it possible to navigate between trees and on narrow forest roads.

They were also sold to civilian customers for rescue services, electricity companies etc. and private use. In the Swedish army the vehicles are designated "Terrängbil xx" (or "Tgb" for short) where "xx" is a number defining the type of vehicle. See table below.

In the 1983 Paris-Dakar rally a Volvo C303 won the class for trucks under 10 tonnes.[1]

8718 vehicles of the C3 series were made. Roughly 75% of these went into military service, with the remaining sold to civilian contracts. It was used by the Malaysian Army c. 1970-1990, the Royal Malaysian Police, and civilian users like Telekom Malaysia c. 1980s.

This particular truck was used in the Swedish military from 1975 to 2009 when it was sold at auction to a civilian owner. It remained with that owner till 2017 when it was bought and exported to the US. Titled in the state of North Carolina, it is fully road legal and should be so in most, if not all 50 states due to its age. Equipped with Portal axles it offers exceptional ground clearance well over and above that of lifted CJ jeeps. These axles have proven exceptionally durable in even the harshest conditions and many Volvo TGBs have lost their lives as axle donors for extreme offroad projects. The transmission is a four speed ZF with a high/low box in it. That gives 8 forward and 2 reverse gears! Pneumatic full diff locks on both axles makes negotiating challenging (off)road conditions, easy. Has the military specification tires on it which are in OK condition with plenty of thread remaining. Many retrofit with Maxx type tires for better grip. Interior is in good condition with some wear visible. Drivers seat has a split in the vinyl that could easily be fixed. Comes with the most comprehensive military book that I've seen. All repairs are documented thoroughly. Rust were unfortunately a big problem with these vehicles and a program was instated between Volvo and the Swedish military to retrofit the complete bodies with that of an aluzink treated steel one. That solved the rust once and for all. This particular truck was retrofitted through the program in April of 1989. I would estimate the mileage on the truck, based on the records to be around 62k. Please reply to the listing to ask any and all questions or to ask for more pictures. I will reply promptly! A $1000 deposit is required within 24 hours and the balance can be paid with a cashiers check at time of pick up.

Thanks for looking!

Thomas