The Series III is the most common of the series vehicles, with over 440,000 built from 1971 to 1985 and was the first model to feature synchromesh on all four gears. Purchased new in 1973, it was used by the original owner until 1989, following which it was laid up until 1997, when it passed to the original owner’s brother who undertook a comprehensive restoration largely completed in 2005. A well-presented "razor edge" bonnet example in Deep Bronze Green. It comes with a VIN no. stamped galvanised chassis, bulkhead in good order, hardtop with full-sized fixed windows and rear bench seats, making it a full 7-seater. Fitted with the trusty 2.25 petrol engine, overdrive, freewheeling front hubs and tow bar with electrics. Additional upgrades include deluxe seats, heated rear door window and wiper, Kenlowe thermostatically controlled electric fan, side steps, and heavy-duty floor mats. It has also just undergone a comprehensive underside preservation treatment, as part of its pre-sales preparation. Only two previous owners from the same family, huge service and invoice history with the most recent service in April 2024 and just 82k miles. A great opportunity to own a beautifully presented and very solid example of this iconic vehicle, that’s ready to use and enjoy.
The vehicle was repainted in 2017 and has had some further paintwork in 2021. As can be seen from the photos, the Deep Bronze Green paintwork is still in lovely condition and the panel and door shut lines present as uniform all around.
As to be expected from an older restoration, there is of course some patina and the odd age-related blemish.
The hardtop comes with fixed side windows making for a light and airy rear cabin and a much nicer environment for rear passengers than a windowless hardtop.
The vehicle is fitted with useful side steps, electric rear window demist and wiper as well as large reversing light. In addition, there are two heavy-duty front-mounted towing eyes and a rear tow bar with electrics.
The spare wheel is currently mounted on the bonnet with the correctly specified mounting carrier kit, although there is also a mounting kit fitted in the rear cabin enabling the spare to be carried safely inside the vehicle.
All light clusters and lenses are clear and free of any cracks.
In the Series 3, the instrument cluster, which was previously centrally located, was moved to the driver's side. The two Smiths central dials immediately in front of the driver house the speedo in one and the water temperature and petrol gauges in the other, along with a charge light. In addition, the vehicle is fitted with additional gauges measuring battery condition, amps and a clock. The front seats are in a 3-seat bench configuration and the Deluxe version in black vinyl. Unlike the basic flat front seats, the Deluxe seats had thicker foam and sculpted seat and backrests providing more comfort and support. All seats are in excellent condition with no rips or tears with inertia reel seatbelts fitted to the outer seats. Additional switches have been added to operate the rear door window demist and wiper. In the rear cabin, there are two sets of fold-up bench seats providing additional seating for four. In addition, additional lighting units have been fitted to the inner roof of the hardtop for extra convenience. A spare wheel mounting bracket is also fitted in the rear cabin in order to stow the spare safely inside the vehicle. All electrics, including the heater, work as they should. Finally, the vehicle comes with a complete set of heavy-duty mats for the driver and passenger footwells and rear load space. These have been designed so as not to trap water under them, which can be a cause of corrosion with some types of flat-bottomed rubber matting. The car comes with its toolkit, jack, and starter handle.
The engine is fitted with Land Rover's long-serving 2.25-litre petrol engine. In this case, it is the earlier period-correct 3-bearing version (the later 5-bearing engine was not available until 1980), easily distinguished by the block still bearing its original Light Admiralty Grey paint finish. The engine has been well maintained and serviced annually regardless of mileage since 2017. The most recent service was carried out in April 2024. A thermostatically controlled electric fan has been added to provide for additional cooling capability and electronic ignition fitted. The documented history contains lots of invoices pertaining to the restoration and later items as well as handwritten notes of all additional expenditure on the vehicle from 1998 to 2016.
Day-to-day driving in a Series Land Rover is done in rear-wheel drive. 4WD drive is selected with either the yellow or red topped selector sticks, depending on whether a high or low ratio is required. The four-speed transmission is complemented by an additional overdrive, which does make for more relaxed driving at normal road speeds.
The vehicle is also fitted with Mayflower Automotive Products (“MAP”) freewheeling front hubs. In this configuration, the front swivels, differential propeller shaft, and output shaft remain stationary. Only the road wheels rotate on their bearings. This provides for greater fuel efficiency. In driving, all gears select as they should and four-wheel drive engages when selected and both high and low ratios also operate as they should.
Suspension is via leaf springs and shocks all round and all in good working order.
The car sits on OEM specification 16” painted steel wheels with matching GT Savero “All Season” tyres in 205/80, all with significant tread left. The spare is fitted with a Michelin X M+S 244 205 R16, also with significant tread left.
Brakes are drums all round and operate as they should.
As part of the pre-sales preparation, the entire underside was cleaned down and inspected. The galvanised chassis is free from any corrosion, as is the bulkhead. Any areas of surface corrosion were wire brushed and treated with a rust converter, following which, all mechanical componentry on the car’s underside was painstakingly treated to multiple coatings of clear DINITROL automotive rust prevention and corrosion protection treatment to provide for additional long-term protection. In addition, the internal box sections of the chassis were cavity injected with Dinitrol ML cavity wax and all areas not possible to coat with a brush were sprayed with Lanoguard automotive rust treatment, for further protection. All coatings are jet wash proof.
As such, the vehicle is now very well protected from the elements going forwards.
The documented history folder contains the registration document, which lists the vehicle as a Historic Vehicle, so tax MOT and ULEZ exempt. It also contains a clear Total Vehicle Check dated 04/08/2024.
There is a collection of old MOT certificates and tax discs.
The file also contains a comprehensive collection of invoices for parts dating back to 1998 as well as correspondence with the DVLA allocating the VIN no. following its restoration, which matches the no. on the current registration document, the no. stamped onto the offside front chassis leg (“Dumb Iron”), as well as that on the plate mounted on the inner bulkhead in the cabin.
Additionally, there are handwritten notes setting out all parts and works carried out to the vehicle over the period 1998 to 2016 and annual service invoices from the period 2017 to 2024.
Finally, the vehicle comes with a Haynes owners workshop manual and two sets of keys.
Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy of the vehicle descriptions and information, some inaccuracies may occur. It is important that you do not rely on this information but check with Montpellier Motor Cars Limited about any items which may affect your decision to buy this vehicle, as well as examine the vehicle and check the accuracy of the information before purchasing any vehicle. We cannot accept any liability arising from any errors in the data provided.
Whilst every effort is made to represent details accurately on our Web Site, variations or errors may occur and so the information contained herewith does not constitute an offer for sale of any particular vehicle, accessory or specification.
