Highlights
- Ultra-low mileage (The mileage is believed to be genuine, but this cannot be warranted)
- Rare Safari roof fitted – headlining intact too
- Recent gearbox rebuild
The Appeal
Land Rovers are as British as strawberries and cream at Wimbledon, and the Series III is the cream of the crop when it comes to classic 4x4s. When Maurice Wilks penned the design of what we know today as the Land Rover, he probably didn’t realise the British institute that he was creating.
Produced between 1971-1985 the Series III was the final hurrah for this design before its younger sibling, the Defender, came into production shortly after. Today the Series are very sort after vehicles as people appreciate their simple engineering and off-road capabilities.
This Land Rover Series III Station Wagon has a very interesting story that we will delve into during this description.
The History and Paperwork
- Produced in the latter half of 1973 this Series III was purchased by the Central Electricity Generating Board for use at the Littlebrook Power Station which used to sit in the shadow of the QE2 bridge in Dartford
- Unlike many other Series III’s this one left the factory with both an extended roof section and also the even rare safari roof
- The two roof options were fitted due to help with the intended use of the vehicle at the power station
- Primarily this Series was used as a people carrier to transport workers around the power station in times of bad weather.
- As it was used for such small drives the mileage appears to be genuine, the earliest MOT on digital record in 2007 documents the car having 12,181 miles
- Between 1973-1990 the power station would operate under the Central Electricity Generating Board, but after the electricity market was privatised in the early 90s the power station would change names
- In 1990 the name on the V5 changed to RWE NPOWER PLC. Although this added an owner to the count, it stayed within the same power station meaning it didn’t really change hands
- This truck would be used to ferry people around the power station until its closure in March of 2015
- At this point, an employee of the power station bought the truck with the intention of undertaking a light restoration to use on their small holding.
- It would then sit in dry storage for another three years until the current owner acquired it in 2018.
- Bought to restore it, the current owner has put some work into getting it into a proper running state
- One of the first, and biggest jobs, that happens is a complete gearbox rebuild as it was difficult to engage reverse. At this point, it was also fitted with a new heavy-duty clutch, along with new master and slave cylinders, bearings, and seals.
- Along with the gearbox work, a new fuel lift pump has been fitted, with also a full brake refurb including new copper pipes.
- The engine, gearbox, transfer box, and axles all have new oils in them
- And a new battery was also fitted
- When the car has not been receiving work, it has been properly stored in a dry environment.
- This truck is now in a running condition, but you may wish to get an MOT on it before driving it on the road.
- It must be mentioned though, that due to its age it no longer legally requires an MOT, it is also exempt from road tax.
- There is a little bit of paperwork that will come with this truck which includes a few old MOT certificates
- A few old V5s track the ownership story
- A new, current, and up to date V5 is also present so a change of ownership will be nice and easy for you
- There is a nice British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate present
- A few other large bills evidence some of the restoration work that has been completed
- It is now your chance to add to this rare beast’s history, with a taller roof and roof vents you could easily turn this Series into a lovely classic camper/tourer enabling you to explore the world.
The Interior
- All original interior
- Rare safari headliner is in great condition
- Lots of space
Specified from the factory as a ‘station wagon’ the interior of this Series is both large and full of bench seating for all of your friends. Presented in highly original condition the interior is an excellent display of 1970s design. Should you wish to give the interior a little bit of attention you could be able to bring it up to show winning condition.
Looking at the seats fitted, we can see that some are presented well and others could do with a little bit of TLC. But the beauty of old cars is that parts are easily removed and repaired with no need for computers or a highly trained technician. You could probably take the whole interior of this Series out with a single spanner, making a restoration accessible even if you don’t have a workshop full of tools.
One of the key selling points of this particular interior, besides the original condition, is the safari headliner. Sometimes they get water damaged or start to fall away, but this headliner is presented in very good condition. Set into the roof you will also find four air vents providing the cabin with nice cooling air when on the move.
Importantly the interior is very original, no one has mucked about adding any after-market parts or hacking apart the beautifully simplistic interior. Another factor to consider is that because this car has been dry stored for the past 8 years the black plastic elements have not cracked or been bleached by the sun.
With so much space within the interior of this Land Rover, you could really turn it into anything. You may wish to keep her original and give the seats a bit of an overhaul, or you could completely strip it out and create some sort of camper set up in the rear. It is a blank canvas ready for you to work your magic on.
The Exterior
- Rare factory fitted high roof and safari roof
- Wears its patina well
- Icon looking 4x4
The Series III is an iconic shape from whatever angle you look at it, from the rear the icon rear barn door style door (which opens nicely), and from the front you are met with the iconic headlight in the wings set up with the setback grill. Now sitting in a white and blue two-tone paint job we can see that this Series III has been worked properly throughout its life and it now wears its patina very well.
According to its heritage certificate, it left the factory finished in ‘Limestone’ but it has been through a few cooperate colour changes. It would appear its first colour change would be to a very vibrant orange, which can be seen in a few places on the exterior, and it can also be found on one of the spare wheels. After this orange, it changes to this lovely white on blue paint job. It also still wears its Innogy sticker on the rear door, if you look carefully at this sticker, you will see that there is also an old National Power sticker that sits behind it.
Like the interior, the exterior is presented in original condition, but you may wish to do a bit of ‘tarting up’ to bring it into a show winning condition or leave it as it is for a more patinaed look. There are a couple of areas of small paint bubbling, with the footplates also looking a bit corroded too. The current owner also states that it could probably do with 2 new outriggers on the chassis and a slight tidy-up of the front foot wells. One of the rear windows is also missing one of its panels.
The most important feature on the exterior that we need to draw your attention to is the roof section. Compared to a normal Series III 109 the roof line sits a few inches higher, this allows the occupants inside to have a lot more headroom. The even rarer feature on the roof is what appears to be a second skin, known as a Safari roof, this feature allows greater cooling for the cabin when stationary or on the move.
Overall, the exterior of this Series III is presented in very original, and very straight condition. Wearing its patina very well it will look good whether you wish to leave it as it is or you may wish to restyle it.
The Mechanics
- Full gearbox rebuild
- Great running 2.25l engine
- Brake overhaul
Old Land Rovers are known for their simplistic go-anywhere engineering, and unlike their modern counterparts, they are very mechanical, meaning you don’t need a master’s degree in electrical engineering to diagnose issues. The mechanical elements of this Series are presented in rather good condition. The current owner has spent most of their time, money, and effort getting it to run and stop well. To start with it has received an engine service with all new engine oil, transfer box oil, and axle oil, along with a new battery to fire it into life.
It has also been through a brake overhaul with new copper pipes. But the biggest job was a full rebuild of the gearbox along with its heavy duty clutch it now changes gears with a very slick motion. With permanent four wheel drive, low and high gearbox ratios, and a well serviced engine, this Series III will be a great little runner for whatever you wish to do. Wherever and whenever you wish to go on an adventure this truck will be ready for you.
It has also been through a brake overhaul with new copper pipes. But the biggest job was a full rebuild of the gearbox along with its heavy duty clutch it now changes gears with a very slick motion. With permanent four wheel drive, low and high gearbox ratios, and a well serviced engine, this Series III will be a great little runner for whatever you wish to do. Wherever and whenever you wish to go on an adventure this truck will be ready for you.
Summary
This Series III 109 has an excellent story, great running condition, and rare specification. With so much going for it, this will be a great purchase for you. You may wish to keep her original, or you may wish to go mad with a restoration, either way, it will be the perfect vehicle for your collection. Everyone should own at least one Land Rover in their life as they always provide great stories wherever you go.
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