The British Forces Special Air Service had been using the 88 inch Land Rover for operations and, by the late 1960s, looked for a bigger load carrier.

In 1968 Marshalls of Cambridge were commissioned to convert a 109" Land Rover for desert duties. With heavier duty springs, sand tyres, long range fuel tanks, differential guards, equipment included a machine gun, anti-tank weapon, rifles, grenade holders, smoke canisters and navigation equipment such as a theodolite and compasses.

The bodywork was painted in pink, the best colour for desert camouflage (from above, it was masked by the reflection of sun off the sand) and the vehicles became known as 'Pink Panthers'. In all, 72 vehicles were converted for SAS use.