When you see two vehicles of the same model designation and era parked together in a barn, it’s hard to not to wonder what the previous owner had in mind. Clearly, this pair of Land Rover 88 Series III two-doors were left standing with plans for the owner to return, but clearly, with the barn coming down around them, the restoration project has been on hold for some time. There is obviously one truck in far better nick than the other, but it’s rather striking to see that the owner – whoever he is – managed to find a near identical parts rig whenever these two off-roaders got put into the barn. Find the duo here on Facebook Marketplace in Nunda, NY for $15,000.
Now, that’s a strong ask for what is essentially a pair of project trucks, because even the better of the two obviously hasn’t run for some time. The Series II and Series III trucks were models that definitively put Land Rover on the radar of off-road enthusiasts and adventure-seekers everywhere, and they were unapologetically rugged. The Series III offered what was a substantial upgrade at the time, that being the transition to a plastic dash versus the exposed bare metal of the Series II that likely did unimaginable things to your knees in a front-end collision. The Series III also offered the option of V8 power, but the seller doesn’t tell us how this rig is equipped (though there is an engine in the back of the parts truck.)
The better of the two trucks looks surprisingly solid down the sides, with no major rust evident in the rocker panels. The tires even still hold air, which is a shock. The parts truck won’t offer much value aside from trim bits like the taillight lenses or perhaps some interior components if not completely trashed. The front fenders and nose clip are gone, likely the result of a minor accident that rendered it a parts rig in the first place. The value of Series II and Series III trucks varies greatly depending on condition, mostly because enlisting a private shop to help you return a vintage Land Rover to good health is incredibly expensive.
If this Series III prove to be fairly solid – and I’m questioning that with this photo that appears to show daylight through the floors – it could be a good buy, but not for much more than $10,000. I realize there is some value in the parts truck, but from what I can see here, I don’t see it being a $5,000 bonus. The engine is likely a 2.25-litre gas version, but there was also a 2.0-litre diesel that many trucks came equipped with. Rust is always going to be a killer, especially in hard-to-access areas like the front bulkhead. Hopefully, the seller is using this price to ward off tire kickers and a committed Land Rover enthusiast can bring home the package deal for around $10,000.
$15,000 may indeed be pretty rich, but these sell for crazy money now. The very only Series IIIs that came with a V8 were renamed the Series III Stage 1 and were not sold in North America. The diesels also were never sold here. Both of those are North American Dollar Area trucks. (You can tell by the different taillights and the side-marker lights.) So they could only have come with the 2.25 petrol engine.
The daylight shown where the floor should be is no big deal. It’s simply missing a flat piece of metal that’s bolted down with like 5 bolts. Any high-schooler taking shop class could fabricate it in like half an hour.
The most significant change with the SIII was the switch to a fully synchronised transmission. No more double-clutching!
The dashboard top and bottom pads are in incredibly good condition. Easily worth $1,000 to the right buyer. Possibly $1,000 for each piece. I know I’d pay $1,000 for both. They are no longer made. It’s a good indication that truck was garaged, even during its working life.
The Tropical Roof on the parts vehicle is also pretty rare and coveted. It makes summer driving — even in the north — much more bearable because of the double skin and and the venting.
Expensive or not I don’t see putting more than 5K into them. I do think restoring the good one is a good idea but it’s not going to be cheap.
I’ve always liked the Land Rover. There were a couple of ranchers where I was raised who had them. IMO they had a slight edge over a JEEP. Not much, mind you, but one of the guys who ran them also had a Jeep. He said the Land Rover was rougher but it was an amazing climber. I had no reason to doubt him as he was driving both.
The guy had an interesting stable full of 4×4 vehicles. In his collection was also a Unimog that I’m sure was the first one made.
Now, another interesting tidbit: His younger brother was the International dealer. Frank, the guy’s name was Frank, drove a couple of International pickups, and a 3-ton but when he rode herd on his cattle and sheep, he was either in the Land Rover or the Jeep, or on rare occasions, when the head gasket wasn’t blown, the Unimog. Or a saddle horse. When the Scout was introduced, Frank tended to avoid it for some reason. Maybe he just didn’t get along with his brother.
Anyways, if these showed up on my driveway, I’d probably take the project on. But one thing I would NOT do is paint it that “Human Corpse Blue.” Sometimes the Brits have got the same color imagination as the Japanese. My friend’s Honda 50 was a dead ringer for that color as were several other small bikes in the neighborhood, plus a couple of Toyota Coronas, a Datsun pickup, and a Toyota Crown…
I had a ’67 Series IIa with 295,000 miles that needed a new frame. That is the big thing with these. Aluminum body is great for never rusting, but the frame can be toast. I’d be worried about that with these.
I was able to tear everything down from the original frame, move everything over to the new one, and all was well. My memory recalls every nut and bolt as being either 7/16, 1/2, or 9/16. Made it very easy.
Also – my floorboards had long ago rusted out and I discovered they were old road signs. When I unbolted the floors and lifted up the panels, they were the backside of signs for Route 202 in New York.
Beware of frame rust !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Pay me, to haul off my scrap metal, please”.
They do make a new galvanized frame for these to solve the rusted frame problem.
Genuine, brand new, OEM spare parts are available for Series I, II and III models from Land Rover Jaguar in India.
Almost every part on these cars is available, and even after shipping to Australia, they are very cheap.
junk even if they were in good shape
I want no part of them. Decades ago I took in a Series ll for a clutch assy. Getting that transmission unbolted and out of the vehicle I remember as one of the worst jobs I ever undertook, After that, they were banned from my shop.
I can think of a lot better things to drop $15k on
My Dad had a 1965 Land Rover Series IIA. As stated above, Series IIs and IIAs had metal dashboards and no synchromesh on first or second gear, and they also had a wire mesh grille and a the headlights between the fenders instead of on the fenders. My dad sold his 20 years ago but it would be my dream come true to find it and buy it back!