New fuel lines, electronic ignition, and full service
Solid chassis with no rust and new panels
Only 56,666 miles from new
The Appeal
Designed for the Royal Marines, the Land Rover Series 3 'Lightweight' or 'Airportable' was designed specifically for its ability to be carried underneath the Wessex helicopter. These modifications included making multiple components removable, narrowing the wheelbase so it could fit on an ordinary palette, and, of course, the necessary military reinforcements.
The new 'Lightweight' was actually heavier than a standard Landy, and technically came in overweight for the military's expectations - but the helicopters were improved to match, and the car brought into service. In the end, the entire point of helicopter transport was practically moot - as most ended up travelling via trailer, cargoplane or train instead.
A total of 37,897 were built between 1968 and 1984, and many remained in service for decades. It was as the 21st century approached that withdrawals began. Indeed, this fabulous 1980 example was disposed of in 1998, and was first registered as a civilian vehicle in 2002.
Over the past twenty two years, it's been very well cared for, and has in recent years seen a comprehensive rebuild and a host of new components. If you're after a truly storied 4x4, you'll have trouble finding one better than this.
History and Paperwork
Built in 1980 for military service
Operated by the Royal Marines until 1998
Disposed of to Civilian Service
First registered, according to the DVLA, as a civilian vehicle in 2002
10 previous keepers have been recorded since this date
In current ownership since June 2023
MOT exempt
Odometer reading of 56,666 miles
This is likely accurate - most military vehicles spend little time driving under their own power
Complete with:
V5c document
Tax and registration documentation
Application for Disposal of a Cast Vehicle from the Ministry of Defence
Printout of the car's NATO unit history
The Condition
Bodywork looks in very good order
No sign of any significant corrosion to the bodywork
We can't spot any dents or dings
Paintwork presents well with some bubbling here and there
Complete with military equipment and lettering including shovel and tow bar
Chassis is solid with some corrosion, though nothing of significant concern
Canvas roof looks in good order with no holes or tears
Internally, everything is as austere as expected for a military vehicle
Some light chips and marks, commensurate with its utilitarian use
No rips or tears to the seats
No perforating corrosion
All instruments are clear and legible
Note the equipment for removing the upper panels, just above the dash
Smiths heater is still in situ with the windscreen demisters also in place
The Mechanics
2,286cc I4 petrol powerplant
Manual transmission with 4 gears plus low ratio
Rebuilt and reshimmed freewheeling hubs
New fuel lines, electronic ignition, and full service
Axle rebuilt with new gaskets and oil leaks repaired
The vendor reports that the car drives smoothly
Engine has been tuned to manufacturer's recommendations
We've no reports of any mechanical issues
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]
Please see our FAQs
here
and our Terms & Conditions
here
Ask seller
Auction Details
Year1980
MakeLand Rover
ModelSeries 3
ColourYellow
Mileage56,666 Miles
Engine size2250
Seller TypePrivate
Town
Southampton
CountyHampshire
CountryUnited Kingdom
Auction ends
Bidding history
7
bids
from 5
bidders
miketay••••£10,50004/07/24
Uptonog••••£10,00002/07/24
sclassl••••£9,50002/07/24
Uptonog••••£9,20029/06/24
Rb£8,00029/06/24
sclassl••••£7,50027/06/24
anthony••••£7,00027/06/24
The safest way to buy a classic car online
Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller.
More about buying with us
1980 Land Rover Series 3
About Max Bids
The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.
Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.
Anti-sniping
Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.
Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.
Auto-bidding increments
If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.
Bid Amount
Increment
£0 to £9,999
£100.00
£10,000 to £49,999
£250.00
£50,000 to £99,999
£500.00
£100,000 +
£1,000.00
Automatically outbid immediately
When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.
You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.
Matching max bids
When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.
Pre-authorisation
We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.
What are pre-bids?
A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.
Problem with your bid
Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.