・Comprehensive restoration carried out five years ago

・Many new parts including the canvas roof

・Very limited use since

・Ready to be enjoyed whatever the weather

Classic Land Rovers come in many shapes and sizes but the most numerous before the appearance of the ‘Defender’ name is the Series III, with 440,000 of them produced between 1971 and 1985. During this time, much development work was carried out to modernise the then-aging design but it managed to retain much of the appeal of its forebears while attempting to keep pace with its contemporary competition.

Those drinking from the black pump were powered by a 2286cc diesel engine and drove two or four wheels through a four speed manual gearbox and two speed transfer box. There were some concessions to creature comforts inside but essentially the Series III remains the sort of rugged, rural working vehicle that comes into the mind’s eye of most people when you mention the name. Still widely revered, they are supported by a very active community which means that it’s among the easier classics to own and run.

This example was first registered on 13 January 1984 and little is recorded about its journey from there to 2012, when it was bought by the previous owner to be a runabout at his holiday home in Spain and adorned with the bull silhouette on the windscreen. The vendor, a serial Land Rover owner, was looking for a project and acquired it in 2015, by which time it was in need of restoration.

He set about an extensive programme of work which included welding to the underside, new shocks and springs, a new starter motor and alternator, new battery and new lights all round. The wiring loom was completely renewed at a cost of over £2,000 and new doors, tailgate, mirrors and canvas roof added. The transmission oil was refreshed, all the seals renewed and the underside Waxoyled. To finish it off, the window frames were re-galvanised, all the wheels (including the spare) were stripped and repainted and the bodywork received a full respray in Volvo dark grey. 

The work was completed about five years ago and since then it’s been stored in a barn under a custom made cover and used regularly but sparingly, largely to collect the Sunday papers and to shop for groceries in the snow. With such little use, the owner has decided that it’s time to let it go and to swap it for something more practical for his regular long distance commutes.

Though there isn’t any paperwork from before the current owner’s tenure, there is a collection of invoices covering most of the items listed above. Some are missing but that’s only because he never thought he would sell it! The V5 is present as is a current MOT which expires on 27 Sep 2022. Only a couple more will be needed before its fortieth birthday and MOT exempt status.

Although apparently containing plenty of Spanish sand at the point of acquisition, the cabin responded well to a clean out and it’s not been necessary to replace anything which means that all the interior fitments are believed to be original. They’re in good shape too, with only the driver’s seat showing a little wear and the carpets in particular looking in good order. All the dials and switches on the dash behave as expected and, in the centre, there is the added bonus of a streaming head unit with built in speakers which are powerful enough to be heard on the move.

The rear is clean and tidy too with inward facing bench seats and the new canvas top is a good fit. Despite the lack of insulation, the owner reports that it gets toasty warm inside when the heater is on during the winter months. Of course, there’s also the option to use it as the previous owner did with no roof on at all, though opportunities to enjoy that are clearly more frequent in Spain than here in the UK.

While the dark grey is not an original Land Rover colour, it suits the car well and, five years on from the respray, it still looks great. The new lights and surrounds and canvas roof also contribute to a very smart appearance, as do the refreshed wheels. While not an original Land Rover wheel, they are in keeping with the look and are shod with tyres that still have plenty of tread remaining. Special mention must also go to the re- galvanised window frames and canvas supports which look like new.

Unlike a lot of Land Rovers, the body panels are largely very straight with just a small dent in the driver’s door demonstrating the sensitivity of aluminium panels to an overeager slam. The front grille also has a small hole in the mesh and there’s a few chips along the edge of the tailgate at the rear but otherwise it still looks like it’s fresh from a refurbishment.

Underneath it’s a similar story, with the new parts still looking shiny. All the welding has been painted with Aqua Steel to prevent rusting and has been left unpainted in order to demonstrate to the MOT inspector that it’s all been done properly. The next owner may choose to paint over it in black to match the rest of the chassis which is looking very solid.

With its new battery, the engine fires for the first time every time with just a little smoke from the cold but the owner assures us that’s to be expected. The driving experience is very classic Land Rover but the wooden knob on centre is an overdrive which makes for more relaxed cruising and it will sit at 60mph quite happily.

Otherwise it’s all as you would expect which is to say just as at home off the road as on it and, while not the most refined experience in the modern 4x4 world, an almost unique way to enjoy the British countryside. With no issues to report, it’s beginning to be used for more than a weekly run to the shops, which is the conclusion that the owner has reached.

If the appeal of a classic Land Rover needs explaining in any detail then you may be in the wrong place but this particular one has very obviously received a great deal of love and attention and is a reluctant sale. During the course of our photo shoot, the weather varied from rain to bright sunshine and the Land Rover felt like the perfect car for all the conditions, and more besides. 

The idea of a concours Land Rover is probably anathema to those that have used them as proper workhorses and indeed this is not such an example. But it is in very good, usable condition and is just begging to be enjoyed in the manner intended by its makers. So, if you can give this lovely classic a new home then please get bidding. And when you win, please remember to drive it as often as possible. The weather will be no excuse!

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