Highlights
- Classic off-road utility vehicle
- Comprehensively restored
- Seven seats, all with inertial reel seatbelts
The Appeal
The Land Rover was conceived as a light agricultural and utility vehicle in 1947 and launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948. The first production models (later known as the Series I) were made the same year. The success of the vehicle, originally intended only as a stop-gap, took Rover by surprise: soon it became the must-have vehicle for farmers and the landed gentry, and for aid agencies and the military. Familiar around the world, the Land Rover is truly a global automotive icon.
By 1958 the model had evolved and for the first time Rover’s styling department was involved; the result was the Series II, which stayed in production until 1961 when the (visually similar) Series IIA came along. The Series III was launched in 1972 and remained in production through to 1985, when Land Rover completely remodelled the vehicle to create the ‘90’. The Series III is by far the most common of the ‘Series’ Land Rovers, with more than 440, 000 produced during the vehicle’s lifespan.
This superb example has been comprehensively restored, a few years ago, to high standards and presents very well.
The History and Paperwork
- MoT- and tax-exempt
- MoT valid until May 2024
- Past MoT certificates
- Current V5
- Less than 4000 miles since 2014
The vendor understands that ART 420 Y was restored in around 2016, at a specialist in Yorkshire. He bought the vehicle in 2018, has kept it covered throughout his tenure, and has had it regularly serviced. He has used it for off-road adventures with his children, but now that they have grown up this is an infrequent occurrence, and he feels he doesn’t use it enough to keep it.
The Interior
- Spartan but clean interior
- Jaeger dials
- Original switchgear and dashboard
- Clean door panels
- Black vinyl front seats in excellent condition
- Four fold-down seats in rear, with custom-made Exmoor Trim canvas covers and complete with seat belts
- Protective mat in passenger footwell
Land Rovers of this era were built for utility rather than luxury, and the interior here has been restored to a good standard while retaining its originality. The black vinyl front seats have been refurbished while in the back there are two canvas-trimmed seats to either side. All seven seats have inertia-reel seatbelts.
The dials, dashboard and switchgear are all in very good condition, and everything appears to work as it should.
The Exterior
- Pastel Green paintwork in excellent condition
- Resprayed in 2016
- Galvanised chassis and front bumper
- Immaculate canvas top
- Bonnet-mounted spare wheel
- Hinged rear tailgate
- Land Rover badge and dealer badge on rear
- Land Rover branded mudflaps
- Tow bar
The vendor has kept the vehicle covered since he’s owned it, and has never taken it out in the rain. Consequently, the exterior presents extremely well. The canvas top is in first-class condition and buckles up to create a weatherproof interior. The wheels, finished in ‘limestone’ cream paint, have some minor rust spots appearing but these should be easily dealt with. The off-road tyres are all in good order. In keeping with its utility role, there’s a towbar on the back.
The Mechanics
- 2286cc petrol engine
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- Four-wheel drive with high and low range
- Starts and runs well
- Recent overhaul of electrics: new battery, heavy-duty condenser, distributor cap, points and plugs
The vehicle starts and runs well, and on the short drive to our photo location it appeared to drive and handle as it should. The vendor reports that there are no issues and says that on a sunny day with the roof down and the door-tops taken off ‘it’s an exhilarating journey!’ The engine bay is clean and well-ordered, while underneath the vehicle there is nothing more than superficial rust and no leaks.
Summary
With a huge following and excellent spares, specialist and owner’s club support, the Land Rover is a genuine but practical and usable classic. From an era when Land Rovers were utility vehicles rather than lifestyle statements, this one has been restored but retains much of its original charm, especially with the top down on a sunny day.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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