1982 Land Rover Series 3 SWB

The Series III listed, produced in the last full year of production before the 90 and 110 arrived, was subject to a ‘no expense spared’ revival between 2019 and 2021; with it completed, the vendor, who enjoyed the restoration throughout lockdown, now wishes to move it on to a new owner. No mileage has been covered – on or off-road – since it was finished.

Although heavily involved its revival, the seller entrusted work to renowned Kent Land Rover specialist, HX Motors, which was responsible for panel work, paint and reassembly. Another Kent firm was also heavily involved in bringing the Series III back to specification – Island 4x4, which supplied almost all of the engine, interior and underbody parts needed to restore the car. The vendor wanted the finished car to drive like as good as, if not better than, new – investing heavily in brakes, steering, and tyres.

Mexborough, South Yorkshire fabricator, Richards Chassis, provided a new base for the Series 3, while Lancashire’s Specialised Vehicle Services rewired the car - to the tune of £1056.

Presenting as excellent, but not over-restored, this Series III keeps its original factory colour of Limestone. Five new wheels were fitted as part of the work undertaken by the vendor and HX Motors; while the bonnet-mounted spare looks to have kept its OEM Goodyear tyre, the other four wheels, supplied new by Island 4x4 as part of the car’s revival, sit on recent-looking Security TM 7.50 x 16 tyres, OEM fitment for the long-wheelbase (109-inch) Series IIIs. As standard, the car would have worn 6.00 x 16 boots.

Most of the original panels, billed as very sound by the seller, were kept and reused where possible, according to the vendor, but new door bottoms were let in - and the tailgate was replaced, both sent to HX Motors from Island 4x4. New headlight surrounds and plastic backing bowls were also fitted as part of the work undertaken.

The badges and grille are original in appearance; their black painted backgrounds have worn away over time but are in keeping with the aesthetic of the finished vehicle.

Much of the original interior has been retained – but new seats and frames were fitted as part of the restoration. Similarly, new windscreen and door rubbers were also added to keep out the elements.

Everything else in the spartan interior looks to be as it should, with no nicks or splits on the dashboard, vinyl doors or rubber matting; the gearshift gaiter was replaced as part of the refresh, along with the footwells. The only interior demerit we could find was a tarnished piece of metal capping behind the seats. The hood is an interesting discussion point; while it’s free from rips and tears, and functions as it should, its material is original to the car, and is suitably weathered and stained. Its frame is also free from corrosion, and the plastic rear window remains clear. The headlining in the cab appears sound, too.

The rear bed floor is also as it should be: no bench seats are fitted, but a rubber mat covers the Limestone-coloured floor panel.

It's similarly good news under the bonnet, where the 2.25 (by then listed by Land Rover as 2.3)-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine is original to the car. As a 1982 model, this Series 3 benefits from a post-1980 five-bearing crankshaft, up from the three-bearing item previously offered.

The engine received new parts during the Series III’s revival, too. Island 4x4 sent over a new radiator and hose kit, together with an engine service kit and HT lead set. The Zenith carburettor, which looks to have been rebuilt and cleaned, was fitted with a new hose to the air cleaner; a heater hose was also replaced, likewise the drive belt and distributor cap. The steering didn’t escape attention either; HX Motors replaced the pump relay, damper and box cover, and fitted a new 12v battery from Denka.

It appears all is very well underneath this particular Series III; as part of its restoration it received a new galvanised right-hand-drive 88-inch chassis from South Yorkshire-based marque specialists, Richards Chassis. To that end, its bulkhead and footwells were also replaced, with every under-body component reconditioned or bought new. A (massive) list provided by the vendor reveals that, among other things, the entire exhaust was replaced; having covered no mileage since completion, the back box is lightly discoloured from heat cycles. All these parts were fitted by HX Motors. Four new shocks and bushes also rang up the till; like everything else on the rider, these parts were supplied by Island 4x4. It also sent over a nearside outer still, along with new, all-round brake wheel cylinders. A new fuel tank, pump and sender unit also went in during the recommissioning. Furthermore, there seems to be no corrosion – as befits a recently (and comprehensively) restored vehicle – just surface rust on the rear leaf springs. New copper brake lines and hoses can be seen throughout. The seller confirmed to us that the high and low ranges work as intended; this Series III can be taken on and off-road without fear of breakages.

It’s also worth mentioning that this Series III, as a 1982 car, is further bolstered by the stronger splined half-shafts fitted to an already-upgraded-from-the-Series II-Salisbury axle specified that year. Earlier models had issues with breakages in the field; adding 14 splines to the original design more cured these issues.

• New galvanised chassis – Richards Chassis – 2019-2021
• 5 x new wheels – Island 4x4/HX Motors – 2019-2021
• New tailgate – Island 4x4/HX Motors – 2019-2021
• New door bottoms – Island 4x4/HX Motors – 2019-2021
• New fuel tank – Island 4x4/HX Motors – 2019-2021

If such a thing as a new Series III 88-inch existed (without recourse to use a time machine) it would probably look like the consigned. The previous owner spared nothing during its recommission but left features like the original hood in place to avoid it looking over-restored. This Series III walks the line between usability and concours with great skill; the problem with the gentrification of such workhorses as these is that their stories and patina are often lost. As the prices of Stage I V8s are raised further and further, other Series III models, themselves no slouches in terms of resale value, are being dragged upwards.

Series IIIs are no longer cheap rural run-abouts; their worth and standing makes their restoration worthwhile, but it would be a shame to not let this Series touch mud again. It’s a turn-key classic that the new owner could continue to preserve - or use as Lode Lane intended. It’s also eligible to be imported into the USA; with it soon to celebrate its 40th birthday, a Stateside enthusiast could buy and enjoy, without an early morning visit from Customs and Border Protection.

We estimate for this Land Rover Series 3 to reach anywhere between £25,000 - £30,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment 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’.