Rugged. Reliable. Simple. That is the name of the game with Series Land Rovers. After WWII the Rover Company needed to make a change from the luxury vehicles they had been building prior, and needed to build a vehicle of great utility, something widely exportable to help boost foreign trade, and furthermore be built using materials available during the strict rationing period after the war.

Maurice Wilks came up with a came up with a design for a a light agricultural and utility vehicle, and this came to become the Land Rover we all know and love. This particular example has the added bonus of a ‘rag’ top, rear seats, and the hugely reliable diesel engine that was used for a long period of time in the range.

V5 present, currently no MOT but will be presented with a fresh MOT on sale of vehicle. There is not a lot of paperwork or history with this vehicle, however there is some documentation detailing work carried out at the famed MinnowFish workshop in Lochgilphead.

The interior has recently been treated to a full detail, and as such it is very clean. It has a fantastic, rugged, original feel with loads of patina. The black vinyl passenger seats are in good condition bar a couple of small tears. 

The vehicle is fitted with a non-original drivers seat which is also clean and in good condition. The carpets/vinyl are in very nice condition, and the rear bench seats are in good shape. The loading floor in the rear has a great patina to it while having been thoroughly detailed. The marine blue body matched interior panels fit wonderfully against the Tan soft top and black vinyl seats and dash. The spare wheel has also been painted marine blue.

As you would expect from a utility vehicle of this age and type, it is not by any means perfect or concours condition, and features the wear and tear of a long life of usage. That being sad it oozes character and every scratch, mark and blemish tell a story and really add to the feel of this wonderful series III.

 

Painted in wonderful marine blue, the finish has been carried out to a very nice standard, and having been recently detailed, the colour really pops. The black steel wheels are shod with Kingpin Pathfinder tyres. Black bumpers and tow rope wrapping the front bumper really completes the rugged, heritage utility look. I has a very nice desert tan coloured soft top which contrasts brilliantly against the blue and black.

The soft top is in good condition and is clean but some stitching is coming apart in areas so could do with a light restoration. Headlamps and lighting are all clear and work as they should. There is some corrosion to the bulkhead that could use attention but not imminently, and some of the aluminium panels have some corrosion going on under the paint which has caused some bubbling.

Overall, in the same fashion as the interior, this vehicle is not perfect, and will require some TLC and repair and prevention. But all of the imperfections actual add to the authenticity and character of the vehicle, and it is certainly solid where it counts.

 

Mechanically this Series III is very sound, everything works as it should. It has had mechanical work carried out by the famed MinnowFish workshop, responsible for the performance carburettor of the same name and the Argyll car.

Underneath and under the bonnet there is light corrosion and general wear and tear, but everything functions properly and is in good working condition. Currently it has no MOT as a few things need doing before sale, however these repairs will be carried out and a fresh MOT supplied at the point of sale.

Whilst wearing its age and service proudly, everything is present and running, and being the non-turbo model, there is very little to go wrong, owing to it performing as a dependable, classic utility vehicle for many years to come.

 

This example has a rare and very handy factory fitted gearbox overdrive, which is perfect for road-trip travel as it gives you a higher gear. The body work and chassis is in great usable order. The bulkhead is in good shape underneath but would benifit from some small and easy Localised repair, although repairs are not immediately nessasary.

A solid example, in need of some small repair jobs and TLC. Boasting great Patina, excellent paint finish quality, and very clean. Mechanically sound, this is a lovely example. Not concours, but a very usable, delightful utility vehicle with endless charm and character.

Notice to bidders