“Series” generation Land Rovers are rapidly increasing in collectability, with the earliest examples commanding strong money. But even Series 3s are now becoming quite valuable – a combination of nostalgia, ease of maintenance and a strong enthusiast following meaning they’re becoming more and more cherished.
Ones with a story are always well-liked, and this one has a great tale to tell, having originally been supplied to HM Coastguard in Folkestone in 1979. It still wears its original RNLI blue paintwork, faded and jaded in places, but all part of a 43-year life story for a remarkable survivor of a vehicle.
Most Land Rovers that lived by the coast succumbed to chassis corrosion and were scrapped. This one was rescued instead, and rebuilt onto a galvanised chassis by its previous owner. The previous keeper also managed to get the Land Rover reunited with its original registration number, further adding to its heritage.
The vendor is extremely sad to get rid, but he lives in a controlled parking area in London and has two Land Rovers and one parking space, meaning that one of them sadly has to go…ReGJMAxDQcn0DMtQ0emWSvmJxVu8RlOZdkSrHP89.jpeg1.34 MB
It’s utilitarian inside in the way that only a Series Land Rover can be, but what’s there is all in perfectly serviceable order. There are scuffs and marks and signs of wear, but it’s a 43-year-old Land Rover and it would be wrong to expect any less.
The seats are tidy enough, all of the dials and controls work as they ought to and it’s all perfectly functional. The rear contains two bench seats and the spare wheel, though this also comes with a bonnet mount. The owner stores it in the truck because it has been parked in a London street.i8NsgwWuSFZAthikOFGg8V4ZoUDj2dN6Rcw408r0.jpeg921.42 KB
THE EXTERIOR
Coastguard Blue
Modular steel wheels
Bulkhead replaced
Galvanised chassis
Great patina
The most important thing about this Land Rover is that it has been rebuilt onto a galvanised chassis, which will provide huge peace of mind for the next owner. It’s still superb underneath as a result.
At the same time, it was fitted with a good used bulkhead as the original was in poor condition, but all of the ‘Birmabright’ aluminium panels are original and are also in their original paint, which gives it a wonderful, aged charm. It features a front tow hook, no doubt a reminder of its maritime days, and there’s also a capstan winch, but it isn’t currently fitted. 1YxAKAiPe04meNew5H4XeTyygWd4vDDUJD2586dA.jpeg1.36 MB
THE MECHANICS
2¼-litre petrol
Four-speed manual with overdrive on third and fourth
Selectable 4WD
Recently overhauled with reconditioned Zenith carb
Unleaded head
New fuel pump
Electronic ignition
Power comes from Land Rover’s stalwart 2¼-litre three main bearing petrol engine, in this case allied to a four-speed manual transmission with optional Fairey overdrive. It was fitted in 2005 with a Turner Engineering unleaded head but is otherwise standard specification.
The Zenith carburettor has just been reconditioned and the Land Rover given a full service and mechanical check-over by a well-regarded marque specialist.
It has a Kenlowe Hot Start fan fitted and electronic ignition courtesy of and Aldon Ignitor. It also has had a halogen headlamp conversion and a new fuel pump.
Here’s a true survivor. A lovely old Series 3 with a fascinating history behind it, and wearing its story on its exterior while being almost as good as new underneath. It’s a magnificent old thing that deserves to be loved and cherished in its next home.
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