Leyland SHERPA 250
Built: 1977-1978 · 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 |
|---|
Dimensions and weights
| Width | 2,070 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 1,850 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 2,540 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Leyland SHERPA 250 weigh?
The unladen weight is 1,850 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Leyland SHERPA 250?
2,540 kg.
What engine does the Leyland SHERPA 250 have?
4 cylinders.
When was the Leyland SHERPA 250 built?
Production years: 1977-1978.
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 8 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: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Van in 3D section
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