Descrição
SERIES 3 LAND ROVER, 109”, 2. 25lt PETROL
Genuine 23k miles.
Former fire engine.
Only two owners (Hampshire FB and myself).
Unleaded cylinder head fitted by fire brigade.
Fairey overdrive.
Towing-equipped (adjustable drop-plate).
Recent new tyres (x5).
Recent MoT.
New Exmoor Trim canvas.
Historic vehicle (tax &MoT exempt).
Featured in Land Rover Monthly, Oct 2021.
This is a very genuine classic Series 3 Land Rover in a condition that’s very hard to find now, without paying huge amounts for a heavily restored one. It was in service as a fire engine in Hampshire for its first twenty-five years, and obviously was well maintained by the Fire Brigade. I have endeavoured to keep it that way as only the second owner. I believe it to be mechanically and structurally sound, and recently put it through MoT to confirm that, although as a historic vehicle it does not need MoTs. Although I would not describe the paintwork as “showroom”, it does look great, especially so with the new canvas hood fitted and gets lots of admiration. I converted it back to its pre-service civilian spec in 2010 and resprayed it in Land Rover Limestone, since then only using it for occasional light duties, but mostly just looking after it and cherishing it as a fine historic vehicle. It had a complete new fuel system fitted a few years ago when the ethanol-rich modern petrol had taken its toll. I have since used premium (E5) fuel and a preservative additive and the system has kept good and clean. That’s the only major issue I’ve ever had with the vehicle, and it is very reliable. Although I’ve never had cause to drive it more than 100 miles or so, I’d be confident taking it anywhere. I bought the Land Rover via a Taunton dealer in 2002 as a former fire engine from Hampshire, where it had served in rural villages to fight heathland brush fires (I can supply some history of its service from the fire brigade), hence the very low mileage. It certainly gets lots of compliments whenever I take it out and about, and Land Rover Monthly gave it a small feature in October 2021. I think that my greatest enjoyment from the vehicle has been on warm summer days when I could confidently take the hood off and drive round the country lanes enjoying the fresh air and the admiration and friendly waves of other drivers and passers-by. Whenever I stop somewhere, it’s quite often that someone will rush over and want to talk about the vehicle, and it does make me proud. I’ll be very sorry to lose it, but we’re downsizing and I just can’t justify hanging on to it, so it will hopefully someone else’s pride and joy.
Apart from the history and obvious appeal of owning a vehicle like this, it does remain a very practical vehicle. The four-wheel drive and high/ low transfer box work as they should, and the Fairey overdrive makes road driving at modern speeds more comfortable as well as achieving better fuel economy. Most of the remaining series Land Rovers are short wheelbase, presumably because the LWBs were hard-used as commercial vehicles, but the LWBs offer a seriously practical load space that has proved its usefulness when practical transport was called for. Having owned an SWB previously, I much prefer the LWB and recommend it. There aren’t many in this sort of condition or with such a seriously low mileage.
