Description
This 1982 Land Rover 88” Series III County Station Wagon is one we know very well and are pleased to once again offer it onto the market. When we previously bought the Land Rover in late 2020, we collected it in mainland Europe after three years away from the UK. The Land Rover was owned by a Luxembourg based classic car collector and prior to this in 2017 was sold by Land Rover specialist in the UK to a new owner in Austria. Before departing for the Continent, the Land Rover was subject of an unbelievable no expense spared full nut and bolt two-year restoration that was carried out to an exceptional, show standard.
This was a true ground up rebuild, and a huge file of parts invoices accompanies the car. The work was mainly carried out by a motor engineer who ensured parts were repaired or renewed using new old stock parts wherever possible. To ensure a long life for this totally renewed Land Rover, the basis of rebuild was a brand-new Richards galvanised chassis. From the new chassis, the Landy was rebuilt from the ground up and beautifully finished. Mechanically everything was rebuilt, the diesel engine was stripped down, the bores were honed, fitted with new pistons and rings, main and big end bearing shells were replaced, all new gaskets fitted, injectors refurbished with new nozzles, and the gearbox was totally stripped down, rebuilt back up and the clutch replaced.
A brand new wiring loom was made and fitted to the vehicle, new parabolic springs made and fitted, the axles were all stripped, cleaned, rebuilt as required and greased, brakes rebuilt with new brake hoses and unions, new dual line brake master cylinder, new handbrake drum seals, brake pipes, brake pads, new wheel cylinders, brake shoe springs, the suspension and steering system fully rebuilt with new track rod ends, ball joints, shocker bushes, steering tube and drag links. The complete fuel system was overhauled, the cooling system renewed, and many ancillaries rebuilt and replaced.
The body was totally rebuilt and a full body fitting kit consisting of thousands of correct nuts, bolts, washers and fixings used. Various new panels to include footwells were fitted, and apart for new doors all other outer body panels appear to be original. All body panels were stripped and painted inside and out and on completion of metal work and preparation the shell was painted in its correct colour of Russett Brown. All the galvanised trims were sent away and re-galvanised, the roof was sent to a specialist for a correct lining and still retains its original roof vents and all the County spec interior trim was re-trimmed to original spec. Wheels were re-furbished, new tyres fitted, and correct County stripes fitted down the sides of the vehicle. The original Sundym Glass was retained and all new sound deadening and correct Hardura matting fitted to the front. To finish the restoration properly, the engine bay was incredibly well detailed to a show standard level and so many detail items replaced such as window catches, all new seals, window channels, all new lights, pedal rubbers, inner mudshields, interior door handles, new bumper, towing eyes, door hinge gaskets, heater controls and cables, battery holder, new grill, interior mirror, rear lift handles, headlamp bowls, new hub caps, wheel nuts, washer jets, door strikers, indicator and horn stalk, wing vents, centre clock, centre dash plate, the list is just endless!
On the road the County is great to drive, the rebuilt diesel engine performs well and correctly, it crossed the channel via the Euro tunnel faultlessly driving perfectly. This is a collector's piece and in its period colour combination, it really looks the part. Rebuilding an example to this standard today would cost well in excess of the price to buy the car and considering this is the super desirable 88" County model, this should prove a fantastic addition to any collection, but remains a useable, practical Land Rover that would be at home on the show scene.
