• An immaculately presented expedition Series 3 Land Rover with low original miles
• A rare 2.6L six-cylinder petrol version with Fairey overdrive for ultimate usability
• A vehicle with exceptional provenance • Same family ownership for over 40 years • New MOT with no advisories
The Background
The Series 3 Land Rover was produced between 1971 and 1985 and was a modest evolution of its Series 2 predecessor. The Series 3 heralded the introduction of a new moulded grill and a less spartan interior. The instruments were now ahead of the driver, behind the steering wheel rather than in the centre of the car.
This remarkable 1976 Series 3 109” Land Rover was produced the same year as the 1,000,000th Land Rover – an 88” station wagon with special green paint and velour trim.
The history of this car is as unusual as it is remarkable. It was commissioned by the first owner directly from Land Rover and carefully specified as the perfect expedition vehicle. The owner was a civil engineer working on special projects in Peru, Argentina, and Chile.
This enterprising owner used it in various parts of South America for approximately 10 years before retiring to Spain. Our photographic package shows some evidence of its travels as do the stickers on the vehicle.
The 109 was then bequeathed to his daughter, who lives in Germany, where she stored it in a dry brick facility for approximately 20 years. Consequently, it has spent half its life in a dry hot environments and the other half locked away.
The current registered owner, a friend of the family purchased it from the owner’s daughter approximately three years ago, marking the end of one family’s 40+ year relationship with this well-loved vehicle.
In the three years he has owned it he has fully recommissioned it. He then imported it to the UK where it has retained its original registration number. To underline the originality of this Series III Land Rover, all windows are etched with its original and current registration number which we have discovered was a batch of numbers registered to Land Rover themselves.
The factory specification of this Land Rover is so exceptional and unusual we believe it is important to list it here:
• Roof heat shield and sun visor.
• Custom roof rack.
• Engine driven Fairey capstan winch.
• Fairey overdrive, operating on third and fourth gears and transforming the cruising ability of the vehicle.
• Fairey free wheeling hubs.
• Rear spare wheel rack. It has two spare wheels.
• Lock latches on the doors, bonnet, tailgate winch and the four interior storage areas.
• Interior lighting system.
• Curtain rails.
• Medical box.
• Two fire extinguishers.
• Galvanised seat frames.
• Galvanised interior tailgate panel.
• It has three storage compartments. Two under the front seats and one under the rear seat, all full of equipment.
As you will see from our photographic package, the interior is in near perfect original condition throughout. The vinyl of the seats, both front and back, appear factory-fresh and the unusual sand carpets are in remarkable condition given their light shade.
The headlining lining appears as new, and the original steering wheel tells you all you need to know about the remarkable condition of this expedition hero!
All weather rubbers have been recently replaced. The only area worthy of a little attention are perhaps the door cards, complete with quirky, period Goodmans speakers, which are a little below the standard of the rest of the interior.
Looking at the photographic package it is hard to believe that this Land Rover still wears its original paint work, simply cleaned, refreshed, and detailed. The only believed exceptions are a small amount of paintwork around the front window hinges and it may have had a small amount of paintwork on the rear lower sections of the bodywork but a long time ago. The photographs detail its very straight, almost dent free panel work, with just a few marks here and there.
The engine bay, including the all-important bulkhead, is in remarkable original condition with no signs of rust or wear of any sort. All six wheels have been recently refurbished, with new tyres all round. To underline the originality of this Series III Land Rover.
Both the chassis and its underbody have been described by a number of Land Rover experts as in astonishing, original condition.
This photo was taken just two months ago, demonstrating its untouched condition before it was refreshed.
The current registered owner undertook a program of recommissioning over the past three years to include new shock absorbers, steering bushes, steering idler, battery and a brake overhaul. Add to this the remarkably low mileage of the Land Rover and its history and it will come as no surprise that the mechanical systems are reported as being in excellent and fully working condition.
The rare 2.6L six-cylinder engine starts on the button and is smooth and quiet in operation. The Land Rover is reported as driving really well with everything working as it should.
Where do we start? Well, this obviously represents a once in a blue-moon opportunity to acquire a very rare and very special Land Rover. No common-or-garden Series 3 109” this one!
To start with we have the amazing original expedition specification ordered by the owner from the factory. Along with its 2.6L petrol six-cylinder engine, Fairey overdrive and with an original 55,000 miles to boot!
Then, of course, there is the fascinating and romantic provenance of this vehicle and its travels across South America culminating in dry storage in Germany and finally to the UK. It is fair to say, we believe, that you could be waiting for a very long time for a comparable Series III to reach the market – if ever. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this fascinating story.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
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1976 Land Rover Series III 109 LHD
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