Description
1979 Land Rover Series 3 88" Hard Top 65, 000 Miles
A Rare Opportunity to Acquire an Exceptionally Original, Unmolested & Very Desirable 1979 Series III Land Rover 88" Short Wheel Base Genuine Hardtop.
TAX & MOT EXEMPT
Just 65, 000 miles from new. Supplied new by Wadham Stringer (Taunton) Ltd, which was a Land Rover dealer on 11th April 1979.
We last sold this vehicle 10 years ago, at the time we did a lot of recommissioning work to the vehicle. It has covered 20, 000 miles in the last 10 years which is nice to see it has been used and enjoyed by its owners.
Unique in such original condition and we think this is one of the lowest mileage best original un-restored 1979 examples available.
Retaining all of its original panels and much of its original paint.
A very rare find indeed and one unlikely ever to be repeated - truly remarkable!
To find an unmolested example has become very hard, but to find one that has had just four owners, only covered sixty-five thousand miles, retains all of its original panels, its original chassis, engine, gearbox, interior and even all of its original factory paint finish well that's unheard of..............
BODYWORK
The body and paint finish is 100% original, and way above the average 45 year old Series III Land Rover. However HYB 988T is not your average series III Land Rover, it is extraordinary.
It has benefited from a light polish and wax on all panels.
The wheels are finished in Limestone, which is factory correct for a 1979 Land Rover in Marine Blue.
The rivets on the rear panels and the roof uprights were never finished in body colour when they left the factory this is how it remains on this vehicle.
The bulkhead is exceptionally solid and original, in fact as good as we have ever seen. There has been a small repair to the driver’s foot well due to it having a bulkhead outrigger at some stage in its life.
It retains it's original rear cross member which has never been welded. The underside has not been covered in under seal but preserved in new clean oil, you can still see the factory overspray under the wings and rear body this is exactly how they left the factory. No welding is required anywhere on this vehicle and it is ready to go.
Originally from new HYB 988T had a spare wheel fitted to the rear door hence it never having a wheel mounted on the bonnet. This is now in the back but the spare wheel bracket is with the vehicle. The underside of the bonnet also shows original overspray and the support braces retain their original black finish.
A few marks have been touched in with a touch up brush over the years but nothing considerably noticeable that requires attention.
The hardtop roof is in excellent condition and has no dents or scratches and is still in it's original paint where you are able to see the original spot welds through the paint.
INTERIOR
The original factory fitted Deluxe front seat backs are in good condition as are the bases except for a small split on the passenger side seat base, they have never been replaced and are the originals too the vehicle these are of much better quality than replacements that are now available.
Door cards to the front doors are original factory items and are complete. Sun visors that are perfect. It still retains all its original triplex glass in the windscreen, door tops, backdoor and hardtop.
Unique in such original condition and we think this is one of the lowest mileage best original un-restored 1979 examples available. Retaining all of its original panels and much of its original paint.
A very rare find indeed and one unlikely ever to be repeated - truly remarkable!
To find an unmolested example has become very hard, but to find one that has, only covered sixty-five thousand miles, retains all of its original panels, its original chassis, engine, gearbox, interior and even all of its original factory paint finish well that's unheard of..............
The dash is unmarked with no cracks or sun damage.
No Radio ever fitted and the rest of the dashboard had been left unmolested. All windows open, all the window channels are good and because the vehicle has been kept under cover not rusted away as so often is the case.
Under the passenger seat the compartment contains the original jack, wooden handle for the jack, wheel brace.
The load area is exceptionally clean and doesn't show any sights of heavy use. There are two galvanised rear bench seats fitted.
UNDER THE BONNET
One of the best original engine bays we have seen on a Series 3, extremely clean with original stickers still in place.
Original paint to engine block. Factory fitted inner mud shields unusually still both in place and are intact.
ON THE ROAD
The factory fitted engine busts into life on the turn of the key. It is apparent that this is a vehicle that has been maintained and covered low mileage it runs as quiet and smooth as any Series Land Rover that we have ever had.
A joy to drive and such fun. Four wheel drive and low range engage, as they should. The gears change up and down as they should it has a very quite gearbox which is a good sign of it's light use over the years.
The steering is as it should be and the vehicle doesn't wonder on the road like some series vehicles do.
All the tyres are brand new. The vehicle has been through our workshops this has included a full service and any necessary work done.
SUMMARY
HYB 988T is an unmolested and original Series 3 Hardtop in immaculate original condition. All the numbers match - the chassis numbers on the plates are the same as on the log book registration document and that stamped on the chassis itself. The engine number also matches that recorded on the logbook.
This is one of the best low mileage and original untouched Series 3 we have ever had the opportunity to own.
This Land Rover has obviously been cared for and cherished by its previous owners.
It is very solid example that requires no work and is ready to use and enjoy.
This is a very honest 45-year-old Series Land Rover.
What you see is what you get. HYB 988T retains much of its original paint finish - albeit with a few aged dings, scratches and marks. Please therefore do not expect absolutely pristine. However you will have to go a long way to find a better vehicle.
If you have been looking for the very best of the best when it comes to original condition un-restored Land Rover Series 3's then this is the right vehicle for you as it's the more desirable short wheel base model which is a lot more practical easier to park, store, drive etc.
VALUE
Low mileage, history, condition, and originality will contribute greatly to the value of any classic. Anybody can restore a Land Rover to a certain standard however you can't make anymore-original low mileage vehicles and so for that reason these vehicles are becoming increasingly harder to find and so any opportunity to buy one shouldn't be missed.
Any enquires please call on the details below.
