Highlights
- £26,000 invested in recent restoration
- Factory-fitted 3.5-litre high compression Stage 1 V8 engine
- Originally served as an airport fire appliance at Thruxton Airfield until 2003
- Used in TV work and film production
- All tyres are new
The Appeal
When you've got a vehicle of such endless utility as the Land Rover Series III, it's inevitable that it'll often come with a story. This impressive 1981 example is a key example of that. It's the ultra-rare V8-engined Stage 1 version with Rover's 3.5-litre V8 petrol engine lurking under the bonnet. Originally a working fire appliance at Thruxton Airfield, then at Tatenhill Aviation, this handsome liveried vehicle went on to serve at motorsport events, television and film production.
Now, having undergone an impressive restoration, at a cost of £26,000, this 4x4 is ready and waiting to find its new owner, with distinctive red paint, roller hatch covers and 'battenburg' markings all present and correct.
Now, having undergone an impressive restoration, at a cost of £26,000, this 4x4 is ready and waiting to find its new owner, with distinctive red paint, roller hatch covers and 'battenburg' markings all present and correct.
History and Paperwork
- Built in 1981
- Initially sold to Thruxton Airfield as airport fire appliance until 2003
- Sold to Tatenhill Aviation Ltd. at Needwood (Burton on Trent) as airfield fire appliance until 2005
- Used for fire cover at motorsport events, TV work, and film production
- Transformed from airfield yellow to classic fire engine red with battenburg markings
- Sold to previous owner in 2013, used in Northern Ireland for fire prevention work
- Purchased by current owner in February 2024
- £26,000 invested in restoration
- Exact mileage unknown but likely low due to service history
The Condition
- Presents as an attention-grabbing vehicle
- Paintwork showing age with flaking areas and faded bonnet from sunlight
- Later grille fitted, resembling a Defender
- Galvanized side and rear lockers function fully and correctly
- Fire engine components (water tank, pump, hose reel) removed due to heavy wear and corrosion
- However, all roller hatches are present and correct
- Fire Service battenburg markings still present and in good condition around most of vehicle, with some peeling in a few places
- Spare wheel in good condition with working mounting bracket, though paintwork shows age
- All 5 wheels in good condition but with paint flaking in places
- All tyres are new
- Original cab, except for bulkhead replaced in 2024
- Modifications made to accommodate additional switches for lights and sirens
- Seats show wear with rips/tears on underside of cushions, may need replacement
- Full makeover since fire appliance components removed
- Thoroughly cleaned
- New stainless steel floor skin installed
- Blue lights, amber light, and two-tone horn present but temperamental
- New speedometer and headlight switch required
The Mechanics
- 3.5-litre high compression Stage 1 V8 engine
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Engine recently underwent full service
- Modernized suspension and shock absorbers
- Original steering without power assist
- The vendor states the engine runs, sounds, and drives 'fantastically'
- All work detailed below has been completed in autumn 2024, by Juice Motors, a Land Rover specialist garage.
- New chassis and harness, galvanised steel.
- New bulkhead, painted in fire engine red to match current paintwork.
- Radiator rebuild.
- Full engine service including oils and filters.
- Front axle rebuild.
- Replacement transfer box mounts.
- New prop shaft fixings.
- New exhaust.
- New front and rear shock absorbers.
- New parabolic leaf springs to replace corroded former ones.
- New headlights, upgraded to LED.
- Welding repairs to sills on both sides.
- Floor repairs throughout including new floor skin in rear area.
- New steering damper bracket.
- New bumper spacer brackets.
- New wing brackets.
- Brakes cleaned.
- New wiper blades and arms.
- New fuel filler hose.
- New engine mounting blocks.
Older service history is available from its former owners also.
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