1983 Land Rover Series 3 88"

Our example hails from 1983 having been built on the 23rd March of that year and dispatched to dealers Kennings in Nottingham on the 29th. The factory records confirm it as a right hand drive home market model finished in Marine Blue and Limestone. At that stage the Land Rover was in 88” 2.25 Diesel configuration.

Not too much is known about our Land Rover’s early history thereafter, other than it was reported to have spent much of its life on farms passing, one assumes, through the hoary hands of 11 previous agrarian keepers. A major watershed in this workhorse’s life came in 2017, however, when it was acquired by the previous owner as a “basket case.” Together with Yorkshire based specialists Black Paw 4x4 the previous keeper set about a thorough, no expense spared restoration.

Highlights of this work included replacing the 2.25-litre diesel engine with a 2.5-litre petrol engine from a 1985 Land Rover Ninety, the fitting of a galvanised chassis, the refurbishment and zinc spraying of the original bulkhead, fitting of parabolic springs and accompanying ProComp ES3000 shock absorbers and some replacement body panels and a full respray.

Another valuable bonus with this example is the fully refurbished and repainted truck cab roof, rear glazed panel and accompanying tail gate. This enables the owner to transform the Land Rover from Wagon to Pick up configuration at will.

Current owner, David, bought the Land Rover via Bonhams Cars Online in June of this year. Having only added around 60 miles to the odometer David has found the Land Rover to be “too small for me.” As such this lovely example of the Series III’s rugged charms are being made available once more.
 

This Land Rover’s phoenix-like rejuvenation appears to date from the middle to latter part of 2020. We know at that time that a number of replacement panels were sourced and fitted, prior to a full professional respray by Black Paw 4x4. This not only renders the Series as a fine looking example of the, sometimes, careworn breed but also faithfully original looking. The original livery of Marine Blue (main body panels and rear door) and Limestone (roof panel and steel wheels) rub shoulders with the black finished rear crossmember and galvanised front bumper and trim pieces. In short, it looks great.

In our photographic package the 88” sports its Wagon body accoutrements, consisting of full-length roof panel, twin glazed side panels and full height rear door. These can be replaced at will by the accompanying truck cab, consisting of roof panel, rear glazed panel and tail gate, to create a pickup configuration. A useful and valuable party trick.

The 5.5J x 16-inch steel wheels were sourced and fitted by the previous owner and professionally painted in Limestone by Black Paw. These remain in fine order and wear a matching set of Avon Rangemaster all terrain tyres date stamped from 2020 and appearing to retain ample tread.
 

Although the Series III was a last of the line model, in some ways far removed from Wilks’ original concept, the interior remained an object lesson in rugged utility. With trim substrates limited to vinyl, painted Birmabright and rubber, a quick dowse with a hose is all that’s needed to return a mud-caked cabin back to factory-spec. 

The Series signature three-abreast seats are still in hard wearing black vinyl but a set of new “deluxe” articles with headrests on the outer pair. The dashboard and driver facing instrument binnacle all look to be standard Series fare, the latter housing the familiar, white-on-black Jaeger gauge set. The Solihull-spec, big but dainty three spoke steering wheel is present and correct.

The other key control interfaces consist of the charmingly dog-leg shaped gear lever, the red-topped range selector lever, and the yellow topped four-wheel drive selector. The only concessions to post-1980’s desires are updated, blue seatbelts and a hardwired 12V outlet. Floor protection is by way of fitted, heavy duty rubber mats.

The rear cabin features twin folding passenger seats with inertia reel lap-belts. A spare wheel and unused tyre are mounted to the cab’s rear bulkhead. A new tub floor panel has been fitted and is protected by a fitted rubber mat.

Like the rest of this Series III, this interior has seemingly been thoroughly scrutinised for issues. Anything that has been considered worn or below standard has been replaced, restored, or recommissioned. It is very hard to fault in here for a 40-plus year old farm wagon. 
 

As mentioned earlier, this Series received a heart transplant courtesy of the previous owner and his chosen specialists. Out went the 2.25-litre diesel and in came a 2.5-litre H17 petrol unit from a Ninety donor. Despite their different tastes in petroleum product, these engines were closely related all the same, helping to retain the all-important Series character and charm. The later petrol unit was a little more potent that its diesel predecessor, adding around 20 bhp to the former’s 60 or so bhp. A root through the extensive paperwork on hand, which we will come to next, is well worth it. Here you will learn of the thousands spent on this vehicle’s mechanical systems since around 2017. These include, but aren’t limited to, a full gearbox restoration, a new Weber carburettor and associated tuning, extensive brake restoration and balancing, more modern springs and dampers and the list goes on.

The under bonnet presentation is good with plenty of modern looking silicone hoses and updated wiring in evidence. Despite this, it is great to see the original oil bath air filter still present. Whist highly effective at trapping dust and debris these are so often sacrificed in favour of shiny chromed lifelong alternatives. Not very Land Rover!

With this Land Rover’s combination of a galvanised and black painted chassis and its original but refurbished and zinc sprayed bulkhead, about 90% of future issues should have been banished. A case of thoughtful and well-chosen future, and rust, proofing if ever there was.
 

With over 130 images in our “documentation” section it becomes clear that this Landy has led somewhat of a charmed life in recent years. The V5 in the name of the owner is present and highlights this example’s Historic Vehicle status. As such the Land Rover is considered MoT exempt and zero rated for VED in the UK. Despite that the Land Rover held an advisory free MoT up until last month – a pleasant surprise to all those who claim the advisory of “oil leak but not excessive” is mandatory for Series Land Rovers.

Other highlights include a Heritage Certificate from 2017, owners’ manual and later, generic service book. The latter documents four services since 2021 and within the last 4,000 miles or so. Much of the remainder of the archive consists of numerous invoices detailing all the work, toil and new parts this Series has been subject to.
 

With the Series III’s ubiquity comes a downside. Being the last of the Series vehicles and, as such, the most useable they are the ones that often receive the least love, care and attention. That certainly can’t be said of this example, however. With everything attended to that usually gives a Series III owner sleepless nights, there is nothing left to do but enjoy it. And enjoy it you can and should. 

Whilst it is very nicely presented throughout it is not a concours standard garage queen and all the better for it. With those bored to tears by the clinical inscrutability of so many modern cars, there is no better antidote than a Series III Land Rover. As such we don’t so much commend this one to you as prescribe it to you.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £16,000 - £20,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, 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, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.