Holding all the classic appeal of the original Land Rover but with a slight facelift and a tad more contemporary usability, the Series III Land Rover is the ultimate old-school off roader. Here’s a project you can rescue for the ages.
Despite increasingly tough opposition throughout the production run of the Series III from a vast number of rivals, the Land Rover continued to sell in numbers incomprehensible to most accountants. The basic charm, rich heritage and near-unstoppable ability when the going got tough kept the humble Land Rover almost unchanged until 1985.
There were a number of improvements over its predecessor, with headlamps moved outwards to the front wings and an all-synchromesh gearbox thrown into the bargain. The only complaint was the new plastic grill - as the previous metal ones would often double for barbeques in the outback of Australia.
Yet, despite these subtle improvements, the Land Rover remained noisy and trouser-fillingly frightening at high speed. However, taking a Series III Landy for a speed run is like asking Indiana Jones to run the London marathon. Out in the wilderness is where these beasts thrive.
As Defender production ends tomorrow, there has never been a more level-headed time to buy a classic Land Rover. Prices for even the most decrepit of examples have climbed dramatically over the past year, with auction results boggling the expectations of even the most up-to-date auctioneers.
This example was bought by its current owner with plans to plant a 2.5 litre Perkins diesel engine under the bonnet, but due to work commitments, never managed to find the time.
So, instead of it sitting, rotting away outside, it’s now up for grabs at a mere asking price of £1200.
This Land Rover Series III is far from perfect - with a shabby interior and an engine currently non-running - but as a project, very few other vehicles offer the satisfaction of restoring an old Land Rover.
