page_title: LDV Convoy
section_title: Ambulance
hierarchical_section_title: LDV Convoy / History / LDV 400 and Convoy (1993–2006) / Engines / Ambulance
caption_attribution_description: London Ambulance on Hamilton Terrace
context_page_description: The LDV Convoy is a light commercial van that was manufactured by LDV Limited between 1996 and 2006.
  The Convoy was a development of the Leyland DAF 400 Series, which in turn was based on the Freight Rover 300 Series. The Convoy and its predecessors were the larger versions of the LDV Pilot, all of which were based on the Leyland Sherpa series of vans that was first developed in 1974, sharing some components with even earlier models.
context_section_description: The Rover V8 remained available in detuned 3.5L form (sourced from Land Rover) producing 135hp and was a common sight on the road as an ambulance with coachwork by the 'Universal Vehicle Group', this was due to be upgraded to a 3.7L unit; however, issues with the brakes meant that never materialised. 
  These ambulances were fitted with a limited-slip differential to improve handling, but were notorious for poor fuel economy, which was described as 'shocking' by experts, who said the engine was 'drinking fuel like a fish', with imperial miles per gallon readings rarely reaching double figures while in town (even when not on call). 
  Due to this issue, ambulance trusts started searching for more economical vehicles and began changing to Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with powerful diesel engines around 2003, further reducing profitability of the Convoy for LDV, as diesel engines with enough power for rapid response applications were never available on the Convoy and therefore the trusts had to migrate away from the platform. In addition, a hydraulic tail lift was standard on the Sprinter ambulances, but absent from the Convoy's coachwork, meaning that patients had to be manually lifted into the LDV by paramedics.
  All Convoy ambulances had air suspension, external floodlights, and a four-speed automatic transmission. The bonnet on the ambulances featured two scoops to prevent the V8 from overheating in traffic when on call.
caption: V8 Convoy ambulance pictured parked near Abbey Road Studios, in full London Ambulance Service livery. Note the two bonnet scoops.
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