Leyland SHERPA
Built: 1977 · Series: SHERPA
More machines from model year 1977
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Leyland Sherpa – the British van of 1974: 1.8-litre O-Series petrol engine, unladen weights from 1,240 to 1,912 kg, length around 4,650 mm, built in Birmingham
The Leyland Sherpa is a light van that British Leyland introduced in 1974 as the successor to the Morris/BMC J4 and built at the Washwood Heath plant in Birmingham. The range continued under changing company names – as the Freight Rover Sherpa from 1981 and eventually under the newly formed LDV Group – but remained in production at the same plant for decades.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists here 6 versions with the four-cylinder O-Series petrol engine of 1,798 cm³, unladen weights from 1,240 to 1,912 kg, gross weights from 2,185 to 2,550 kg, a length around 4,650 mm and widths from 1,720 to 2,100 mm.
The Sherpa was a widely used van in Britain for decades, serving the post office, trades and small haulage firms, and competed with the Ford Transit and Bedford CF; its simple, rugged engineering allowed long service life in daily commercial use. For decades it was also a common sight in the internal transport fleets of British local authorities and small manufacturing firms, prized for straightforward maintenance.
On a used example, rust on the sills, wheel arches and load floor, the condition of the carburettor and ignition of the O-Series engine, wear on brakes and suspension under continuous load, and the function of the sliding door count; spare parts are available through dealers specialising in British commercial vehicles.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Leyland Sherpa, Leyland Sherpa (Wikipedia)
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 4correct |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,798 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 4,650 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,730 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,320 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Gears | 4correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Leyland SHERPA weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,320 kg.
What engine does the Leyland SHERPA have?
4 cylinders, 1,798 cm³ displacement.
What are the dimensions of the Leyland SHERPA?
4,650 mm × 1,730 mm.
When was the Leyland SHERPA built?
Production years: 1977.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 7 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
Sources: Traficom — Finnish vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
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