Highlights

From a dry climate, South Africa
Six Cylinder engine
Expedition prepared

Appeal

This ex South African Military Land Rover has spent almost all of its life in sunnier climes, only being brought to these shores last year.

It’s a Series 3, which were first produced in 1971 although these were pretty much a revamped and updated version of the Series 2 and 2a models. Presented in gloss green paintwork now as opposed to its original drab green or possibly camouflage, it really is a fine example of the early 70’s Land Rovers.

On the button and ready to drive as is or ripe for light conversion into a camper for those outdoor excursions into the wilderness, it’s your choice.

History & Paperwork

History & Paperwork
- Dispatched from Blackheath assembly plant in Cape Town on the 25th of March 1979, for delivery to the South African Airforce
- Purchased at a military auction in South Africa in August 1993
- Undertook an expedition through Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia & Tanzania a journey of some 8,100 km in April – May 1995
- Purchased from a Land Rover Club of South Africa official in Johannesburg and shipped to Durban for some works
- Displayed mileage is 52,038 km but the believed true mileage is 152,038 km . The odometer only displays 5 digits
Paperwork from a previous owner lists mileage against dates and works carried out.
- Imported to the UK in Spring of 2022
- First registered in the UK in October 2022
- V5c registration document in the vendor’s name
- Registered as an Historic Vehicle , tax and Mot exempt
- Invoices for work carried out in Durban before shipment to the UK
- South African registration doc

Interior

Front bench seat
Standard series 3 dashboard with additional dials

Typical Land Rover of the era, with a front bench seat seating three across the front & currently no seats in the back, although these could easily be obtained and would be only a small job to fit.

The dashboard is a standard fitment series 3, but with the addition of numerous extra gauges and switches which are hopefully all visible in the photos. There are a number of auxiliary dials and switches which have been fitted over the years, but the vendor cannot verify whether they are all in working order and register correctly.

There are manual air vents in the roof to provide additional air circulation in the summer, but there currently isn’t a heater fitted, the auxiliary fan in the cab is currently not working.

Tidy, practical and utilitarian would be three words to best describe the Series 3 interior, there are signs of wear throughout as to be expected from an un-restored vehicle that is after all over 40 years old.

Exterior

Paintwork and panels in good condition throughout
4 almost new tyres
Additional auxiliary fuel tank
Full length roof rack
Believed to be original military lights Front and rear
Jerrycan storage each side

For an ex-military Land Rover, the exterior of this Station Wagon is in excellent condition all round. Great paint work and hardly any noticeable dents to the aluminium panels. We believe it was the subject of a re-spray in 2005 according to service records and has obviously been well cared for since then.

There is a little bubbling of the paint on both door bottoms as shown in the photos, a common problem amongst Land Rovers.

Storage compartments for 2 Jerry cans have been fitted, one to each side of the vehicle, as to when these were carried out the vendor cannot confirm.

The roof is either fibreglass or more likely formed plastic and unlike the Alloy roofs found on European spec Land Rovers of the period., it is however in very good condition throughout.

The underside would appear to be sound throughout with the outriggers appearing to be in good condition. The bulkhead also appears to be sound with just a little paint bubbling below and around the front window hinges.

Overall, a very well presented Series 3 which has been modified to suit its use either as a military vehicle or afterwards in civilian guise.

Mechanics

Smooth running straight 6-cylinder engine
Freewheeling front hubs
Recent new battery

When being moved around for the photoshoot, the engine ran smoothly like you’d expect from the six-cylinder engine & we’re assured by the vendor that the Land Rover drives very well and happily keeps up with modern traffic.

Recent works before it left South Africa are listed on an invoice but included service work and small electrical repairs amounting to R11,000 ( £449 ).

Here in the UK, the vendor informs us that the carburettor has been re-built, new spark plugs and a new battery have been fitted. there is however no invoice for this work.

Under the bonnet appears to be clean and tidy, a sign that it’s been well looked after certainly in recent times.

Summary

Well, it’s a Land Rover! Recognisable just about anywhere in the world, the word iconic really doesn’t do Land Rovers justice.

Coming as it does from a dry climate and the fact that it was in service with the Airforce would suggest that it has had a reasonably closeted life in South Africa, and of course has been enthusiast owner throughout its civilian ownership.

South African military vehicles are unusual to find in the UK and this one fitted out as it is with extra-long range fuel tanks, roof rack and Jerry can holders, would probably be unique in it’s home country , let alone here .

Much sought after since the end of production, Land Rovers just go on and on and enthusiasts continue to use them day in day out.

Kids on school runs, dogs on walks and welcomed at any classic car gathering and especially a military one, “A car for all reasons “ as Land Rover said at the time, what more could you want !

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