Beschreibung
1979 Land Rover Series III 109” Station Wagon in Pastel Green with Limestone safari roof and wheels (reg. BVP 75V). A carefully executed, body-off restoration completed in 2019 and used regularly since, with several thousand reliable miles under its belt. Featured in Classic Land Rover (March 2020), which documents the rebuild and provenance. The feature even caught the attention of Land Rover’s own marketing team, who invited it to Croatia for the launch of the new Defender—a trip sadly cancelled due to Covid lockdowns.
Powered by a 200Tdi from a Discovery 1, installed to look factory-tidy and to drive far better than standard. I used Defender 200Tdi manifolds to avoid the usual cut-and-shut compromises seen on some conversions; there’s a discreet front-mounted intercooler, a neat oil cooler tucked by the chassis plate above the steering relay, and oil-pressure and boost gauges on the dash for peace of mind. A new injector pump has been fitted, ensuring clean running and excellent reliability. Cooling, fuel and electrics were renewed during the rebuild, with a custom fuse/ relay box and properly finished wiring.
Transmission is upgraded with an Ashcroft high-ratio transfer box: higher gearing in high range (for relaxed cruising) while low range remains standard. It will happily sit at 70mph on the motorway. Steering and suspension are sorted: parabolic springs ride well, new track-rod ends fitted recently, and alignment set. Brakes were comprehensively overhauled during the restoration and now pull up straight and strong.
Body and chassis: the original chassis has been preserved rather than replaced; it has seen sympathetic welding under my ownership (including two new rear outriggers) and is in very good shape. Bulkhead, floors and footwells were repaired as needed, and panels refinished. Wheels have been recently (last week!) powder-coated, wearing correct tyres; there’s a rear-door spare carrier, and I can include a second spare wheel/ tyre if you want to run twin spares.
Interior is clean and presentable, with moulded sound-deadening mats (a huge improvement in refinement) and a working heater control. Lighting, wipers and instruments all function as they should. The fuel tank is new this year.
Paperwork & status:
• V5 updated to reflect the engine change (all numbers correct).
• MOT & historic tax exempt.
• Comes with many spare parts, including a complete gearbox and assorted Series bits gathered over the rebuild.
Overall condition is excellent for a regularly-used classic: straight panels, smart paint, tight driveline and clean chassis. It’s a turn-key 109 you can drive home and enjoy immediately.
Regularly serviced, with all fluids changed just last week ready for a reluctant sale. It keeps everything you want from a Series Land Rover—character, simplicity, that commanding view—while adding just the right upgrades to make it genuinely usable today. The 200Tdi gives strong, reliable torque; the Ashcroft ratios mean it cruises without fuss; and the sound-deadening, sorted brakes and suspension make long trips easy. It still looks period-correct under the bonnet thanks to Defender manifolds and neat bracketry, rather than the usual hacked-about conversion.
It has story and provenance: a barn-find saved, restored with care, and magazine-featured. It was even invited by Land Rover themselves to appear in Croatia for the launch of the new Defender—proof that this 109 stood out even to the factory. Covid lockdown meant the trip never happened, but that invitation adds a unique note of history.
On the road, the new injector pump and tidy installation mean it runs smoothly and pulls strongly, with none of the compromises you sometimes find on converted Series trucks. It’ll sit happy at 70mph, yet still every inch a classic Land Rover when the road turns muddy.
If you want an honest, well-sorted 109 with thoughtful upgrades, documented history, and a bundle of useful spares, this one will make you smile every time you turn the key.
