Description
For sale, through JOHN BROWN 4X4 LTD, Land Rover® Series 3 Ragtop in Light Pastel Green (1973).
Petrol 2286cc. MOT & Tax Exempt. Weber Carburettor. Deluxe Interior with Door Cards. Recent Canvas. Tow Bar and Electrics. Front Seat Belts. Road Biased Tyres. Large History File. Only 7 former keepers since 1973.
We are delighted to present for sale this 1973 Land Rover® Series 3, which we acquired locally from the Teesside area – having been owned locally to us since 2004. Interestingly, the history file for this vehicle is significant and indicates it has been previously used abroad, supplied on the registration (FEA 62L) from new and then subsequently returned to the same registration when re-imported in the early 2000s – this is perhaps why it has lasted in such good condition, thanks to a sunnier climate and the avoidance of British , salty winters on the roads!
Externally, as the photos show, this old girl really looks the part – finished in the popular Light Pastel Green colour scheme, with Limestone Wheels and Sand Canvas. Those with a keen eye will see the period features – the vintage number plates, rear grab handles, road biased tyres for better performance, silver lamp surrounds, recent canvas, galvanised front bumper – etc etc. It is nice to note some modern features are also present such as a tow bar and electrics to allow towing – very handy.
On the inside, this Series 3 benefits from a deluxe interior with three front deluxe seats, all with seat belts, and door cards to the lower doors for that premium feel and to increase sound deadening when out on the road. Deluxe matting to the footwells completes the look and prevents damage to the floor area. The rear is unfitted, with the exception of the spare tyre being correctly stowed against the bulkhead – if so desired it could house bench seats for £595 to bring seating to seven occupants including a driver. There is a load mat to the floor area, and tailgate chains with premium covers to stop annoying rattling against the body when driving.
One thing that sets this 1973 Series 3 Land Rover® apart from similar trucks is the care and attention it has received over the years which has been well documented – the previous keeper, who was a local gent keen on perfection – took great care to type out a full page of all the items he replaced during ownership and the works carried out… much of this is preventative rather than necessary, and it is great to see… below we’ve listed just a snippet so that a prospective owner can understand just how fastidious he was:
New Front Axle which was filled with new oil and grease
New Rear Axle which was filled with new oil and grease
New Engine Mounts
New Clutch & Clutch Release Bearing
New Alternator
New Starter Motor
New Radiator
New Heater Valve
New Fuel Tank
New Gearbox Mountings
New Slave & Master Clutch cylinders fitted (along with brake pipes)
Full Underseal
New Brake wheel cylinders, slave and master cylinder also.
New Springs fitted – Heavy Duty Type
New Steering Box
New Dash Top
These are just the highlights of a long list of work – when we asked the gent quite why he had carried these out and whether they were required – he said not required at all but he found it a “fun project” during the cold recent winter and “very much enjoyed” working in the garage with a cup of tea in hand! Of course, the big benefit for a new keeper is that a huge amount of items which could warrant future replacement have already been recently tackled, meaning they should give good service for the foreseeable future.
One can feel these new items when out on the road – not only do the upgrades such as the Weber carburettor and the road biased tyres mean a really enjoyable enhanced period drive, but also it feels well sorted when driving – starting with a whiff of choke, stopping straight and true and with direct and strong steering also – it is just a nice place to be and a nice experience which brings one back to the fundamentals of Series Land Rover® ownership. MOT history which stretches back to 2000 shows that in the last 25 years, this old girl has only covered circa 4500 miles since the turn of the century – just 180 miles or so a year – only being used for holidays, weekend jaunts to the coast and the odd summer picnic.
In summary then, if you are looking for a Series 3 Land Rover® with a strong history, MOT & Tax Exemption and a ragtop format for the upcoming warmer days, then this could be for you. With the added bonus of classic insurance, it should prove cheap to run in the longer term too.
Priced at £19, 995
Visit our website for comprehensive photos and a varied stock list of Series 1s, 2s and 3s. We Export Worldwide. John Brown 4x4 are the Market Leaders in Vintage and Classic Land Rover® Sales.
