Description
The History of the Land Rover Series 3
The Land Rover Series 3 is an icon among off-road vehicles and a direct descendant of the original Land Rovers introduced in 1948. Designed as a rugged, reliable, and virtually indestructible workhorse, the Series 3 has built a reputation as a vehicle that pushes boundaries both literally and figuratively. With its boxy design, simple mechanics, and uncompromising off-road capabilities, it became a favorite among adventurers, farmers, expedition teams, and even military units worldwide.
However, this particular Land Rover is no ordinary Series 3. It is a modified version of the 88-inch wheelbase variant, equipped with a powerful 3. 5-liter Rover V8 engine. A beast of an engine, paired with a reinforced front axle and upgraded brakes, delivering a driving experience unlike any other in the Series 3 family. Additionally, this vehicle features differential locks, overdrive, and nothing unnecessary pure mechanical driving as it was meant to be. It is fitted with new tires (just one year old), heated seats, rear benches, overdrive, and a soft top. The door windows are included, allowing you to choose how you drive it open and free or enclosed and protected from the elements.
The driving experience: Pure V8 passion
Step inside, turn the key, and hear the deep growl of the 3. 5-liter V8 as it roars to life. This is no ordinary off-roader; this is a machine you drive with heart and soul. The four-speed manual gearbox, short wheelbase, and immense torque make this Land Rover an experience in itself. This is driving in its purest form raw, unfiltered, and full of emotion.
As you navigate a country road or a forest trail, you can feel the power of the V8 beneath your feet. The combination of low vehicle weight and immense power ensures effortless acceleration, while the soundtrack of the V8 rewards every press of the throttle with a symphony of mechanical aggression. And then there’s the differential lock and overdrive a combination that makes this machine a capable off-road conqueror without compromising its performance on public roads.
An unforgettable adventure
Some cars you buy with your head, others with your heart. The Land Rover Series 3 88 V8 undoubtedly belongs to the latter category. We experienced this firsthand when we took this machine on an epic journey to the Goodwood Revival Festival in England. A trip that embodied everything this Land Rover stands for: adventure, pure emotion, and unparalleled driving joy.
With four people onboard, we embarked on our journey towards the ferry to England. The Land Rover was packed with gear, jackets, and a few cigars for that true British touch. Once we arrived in England, this car was reunited with its homeland. And as if the universe gave us a nod, the sun broke through the clouds a rare sight on the British Isles. The roof came off, the windshield folded down, and with Clapton and Oasis playing through the speakers, we set off on a drive we would never forget.
We didn’t take the highway. No, that would have been an injustice to the experience. Instead, we drove through picturesque villages, rolling green hills, and narrow roads lined with ancient stone walls. In the town of Bradfield, we caught the attention of rows of students in classic school uniforms. As they walked towards their classes in neat suits and dresses, they all turned around at the unmistakable roar of our V8. They stared in surprise as the imposing machine thundered past. We laughed, waved, and gave the throttle an extra push to let the V8 sing one more time.
After an hour of driving, we reached London. And that’s when the real fun began. The windshield was down, the sun was shining, and the cigars were lit pure freedom on four wheels. We drove through Chelsea, and everywhere we stopped, we drew a crowd. Tourists, Londoners, even taxi drivers paused to take a look. Phones came out, selfies were taken, and within minutes, we felt like rock stars in a rolling time machine. We had countless conversations with curious onlookers ranging from classic car enthusiasts to stylish Londoners who asked if we were filming a movie. Eventually, we decided it was time for lunch.
Then, the weather turned. England wouldn’t be England without a good rain shower. Fortunately, we had brought the soft top and could continue our drive in the dry. But the atmosphere didn’t change in fact, it only added to the experience. It remained an epic road trip, a journey where man and machine merged into one. The roads grew wetter, the sky darker, but the V8 rumbled on, undeterred.
We still had five and a half hours to go before reaching Goodwood. The highway was an option, but it wouldn’t suit the soul of this car. While this Land Rover is incredibly fast for a Series 3, relaxed highway cruising is another story. So, we stuck to the smaller roads, winding through the English country.
