1977 Land Rover SERIES III 88"

As you will see from the photos in the gallery below, this April 1977 registered Marine Blue Land Rover Series III SWB has just come through a four-year full nut and bolt restoration and rebuild onto a galvanised chassis. The seller bought it nearly 5 years ago for £800 from a farm where it had been subject to a partial but unsuccessful restoration. Originally petrol-engined when new, it had already been retrofitted with a later “200di” diesel engine which has now been reconditioned. Also professionally overhauled, the original matching numbers gearbox, transfer box and axles have been retained as has a lot of the original body.

Giving weight to the idea that almost anyone can repair and maintain a “Series” Land Rover (as pre Defender models are known), the vendor isn’t any kind of professional mechanic but he has carried out the vast majority of the spannering himself while contracting out the more specialist jobs to professionals. He described the project as a bit like a grown up Lego kit where all parts are available either new or refurbished and all you have to do is put them together in the right place in the correct sequence.

Although it displays around 99,500 miles on the odometer, this Series III effectively begins life again at zero as it is almost like new.

As you’d expect from a recent and very thorough restoration, the Marine Blue paint and bodywork across the car is superb. The only blemish in an otherwise excellent paint-job is a small scratch at the top end of the bonnet which sadly goes through to the aluminium and can’t just be polished out. This was caused when testing the newly reinstalled wiper arms only to discover one of them was on the wrong way and dug into the bonnet. Ouch! If it were not for the current travel restrictions, the vendor would have had this addressed but it has been quoted as a £275 fix by the body shop which did the full repaint and the vendor is happy to make an introduction.

All external trims and appendages, such as the galvanised cappings and framing, hinges, catches, wing mirrors (actually correctly mounted on the wings rather than the doors), badges, vents, lights and grilles also show in a very good condition, having been either restored or replaced.

The contrasting sand-coloured canvas roof tilt and the stick and hoop frame are brand new, supplied by Exmoor Trim, a globally respected maker of pattern-matched Land Rover parts and accessories. Although both original and after-market hard tops are available for most models, nothing really shouts classic Land Rover like a rugged military-grade canvas soft-top with brass buckles.

The vehicle sits on refurbished and period-correct limestone-coloured steel rims with new and practically unused Deestone Extra Traction tyres, which are good quality copies of the Goodyear Hi Miler Xtra Grip that used to be fitted to military spec Landies of the period. These tyres are fantastic off tarmac but you might consider a different tread pattern if most of your driving is going to be on road - unless of course you love the characteristic road noise like a Lancaster bomber’s propellers.

In this time of restricted travel, we cannot encourage arranging an inspection in person to see the Land Rover’s super condition for yourself, but certainly take some time to study the detailed photos in the gallery and why not use the ‘Contact Seller’ option above to arrange a video call with the vendor to look a little closer at the key features and general condition.

One of the key features of the Series Land Rovers is the almost total absence of interior trim. Inspired by the wartime Jeeps, the Land Rover was designed as a true utility vehicle that could be taken anywhere then hosed down inside and out to clean it.

What trim there is in this Series III is new and in a really super condition, from the same Marine Blue paint which adorns almost every fixed surface, to the dashboard, controls, seating and heavy duty rubber floor mats. Even under the seats, the frames and battery compartment are immaculately painted and presented.

The “Deluxe” style black vinyl front seats (introduced for the Series III) are authentic pattern new replacements. Non-original inertia-reel seatbelts are secured to an equally non-original steel bar which has been fitted atop the bulkhead behind the seats because sometimes safety should override authenticity. All of these items were sourced from Exmoor Trim.

Those new to Series Landies will notice the abundance of centrally placed levers - a conventional black gear stick for selecting reverse or 4 forward gears (in either range), red knob to transfer drive between the low and high ratio gearboxes, yellow knob to select four-wheel-drive in high range (applied automatically in low ratio) and finally the handbrake which unlike most cars operates on the transmission rather than the wheels so should only be used when the vehicle is stationary.

In the rear, the space has been presented as a very clean and tidy utility load bed with no side-facing bench seats or spare wheel fitted - just a large rubber floor mat to protect the paint underneath. A new owner can decide how they’re going to use the vehicle and use it as is or kit it out to their requirements.

Although now sporting a later spec diesel motor, the engine bay on this Series III is still pretty simplistic. It presents like a textbook in basic mechanics with easy access to all components thanks to the empty space that nowadays would be computer-designed to be filled with all manner of electronics and modern ancillaries.

The Land Rover’s ground clearance makes it a lot easier to get photos of the underneath without using a ramp, and the gallery also has plenty of shots of the vehicle during the build-up phase of the restoration which all show the superb condition of the undersides and running gear and the attention to detail which has been paid.

The galvanised chassis and cross members are clearly visible and everything attached to them can be seen in immaculate, clean and freshly painted order. If it were gravitationally possible, you’d be happy to eat your dinner off the undersides of this Landy. The vendor has retained the original front dumb iron with the chassis number stamped into it to pass on to a new owner.

As this vehicle has undergone such an extensive restoration and rebuild with largely new and reconditioned parts, there’s not a great deal of relevant history or service record beyond the last few years, although the project itself has generated a large pile of receipts and paperwork.

A common conversion for earlier Land Rovers is to take a 200 Tdi engine from a later Defender or Discovery and retro-fit it, which is what has occurred here. In doing so it typically becomes just a “di”; the turbocharger and intercooler being too much of a plumbing challenge to fit into the space. The conversion on this vehicle was done some while ago but the vendor has had the top end completely overhauled with new genuine LR valves, valve springs and valve stem seals.

Other major restoration items not previously mentioned include:

● Gearbox, transfer box and axles professionally overhauled and rebuilt including new brake slave/master cylinders, swivel housings, clutch, bearings and where required replacement gears.

● Suspension components, springs and dampers, are new all round

● Professionally overhauled fuel pump and injectors

● Brand new full wiring looms, lighting and electrics including all switchgear and ignition

● Rebuilt steering box complete with new track and steering rods/rod ends

● Upper and lower dash re-trimmed, new steering wheel

● Re-galvanised body cappings

● Overhauled heater matrix

● New fuel tank

● New exhaust system

If he were brave enough to add them up, the vendor’s outlay is solidly into five figures but it has kept him out of mischief for four years and it has put another classic Landy back on the road.

Just tested following the restoration, this Land Rover has now 12 months validity on the MOT and - although as a historic vehicle it is exempt - it is always good to see a recent third-party assessment of advisory-free roadworthiness. The latest test certificate, V5 and owner’s manual come with the vehicle along with the other paperwork.

As you can tell from one of the videos in the gallery, the reconditioned 200di engine revs smoothly, if somewhat noisily, although has very little of the agricultural clatter that period diesels would make. This Land Rover has only been driven for around 100 miles since completion on shakedown runs by both a mechanic and the vendor, who reports his surprise on how good it felt to drive. The engine has plenty of power and, more importantly, torque and thanks to the refurbished steering box and new linkages it felt very tight around the curves.

There is little more that a new owner needs to do to this impeccable Series III - although it offers something of a blank canvas for personalisation if desired. Otherwise just splash in some fuel and, when restrictions allow, get out and about in it.

We’re estimating that this superbly rebuilt vehicle will sell for between £16,000 and £20,000 - either an absolute bargain or rather conservative given that two others in equally fantastic condition sold at Auction just a few months ago for £26,500 and £32,860 - although admittedly the latter was one of the first Series IIIs built.

Given that these older Land Rovers can be repaired and maintained by someone having only the most basic skills with an adjustable spanner and a pocketful of loose change, it makes them ideal for both first-time classic owners and marque enthusiasts alike. Factor in their rock-solid residuals, low cost of insurance and iconic classless status and you’ll be wondering why you haven’t already placed a bid.

This particular vehicle is located with the vendor in Ashford, Kent; to arrange a call please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Footman James for classic car insurance Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car and AnyVan for transporting it.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.

Please note that this is sold as seen and that, as is normal for used goods bought at auction, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. See our FAQs for more info, and feel free to inspect any vehicle as much as you wish.