- Seller: Paul M
- Location: Brunswick, Georgia
- Mileage: 58,000 Shown
- Chassis #: LBAAG1AA110527
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.5-Liter Diesel
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
This summer, I bought a used book written by one of my favorite automotive writers: the late, great Graham Robson. Mr. Robson spent some time working various jobs (including as a rally co-driver in the 1960s) in the British motor industry, so he was a guy you could trust about British cars and trucks. The latest addition to my library is titled The Land Rover: Workhorse of the World, and that title isn’t merely expedient exaggeration. If the spirit of Anglophilia could be bottled, I think it would smell like a classic Land Rover. Therefore, having one listed as a Barn Finds Exclusive is an exciting thing, and this one has an interesting history.
It was a former police car in Wales before finding its way to our distant shores, although I can’t imagine it engaged in many high-speed pursuits. I’ve never had the pleasure of driving a right-hand-drive vehicle, but I presume it would be quite a conversation starter at the gas station. The damp climate of the British Isles apparently took a toll on the Land Rover, so its frame and outriggers have been repaired and/or patched where necessary. The footwells and radiator support have been replaced, as have the door skins (in aluminum), side window frames, rear door, and door glass.
When you do stop for gas, make sure you pull up to the right pump – this Land Rover is a diesel. It’s an upgraded 2.5-liter TDI from a later car, so it has quite a bit of extra steam (109 horsepower, which is about twice the original engine’s). The engine itself has 85,000 miles, which means it is just getting broken in. The diesel is backed by a four-speed manual transmission, and I imagine you could lug the Land Rover down to a walking pace in 4-Low. The seller just installed a new master cylinder, to make sure the brakes work their best.
The seller also mentions that there are new “anti-burst secure latches” on the doors, jump seats in the rear to replace the original bench, new front seats with a cubby box, and a Blaupunkt stereo. Included in the photo gallery are pictures of the trophies that this Land Rover has won over the years. The seller has also included a list of things it could use to be in near perfect condition, which you can find below.
- Install door lock tumblers
- Install new (included) door panels
- Install new driver’s seat back (included)
- Left directional stopped working
- Install headlamp brush guards (included)
- Retrofit Defender intake periscope (new included)
- Has a small gear oil leak at the transmission or transfer case.
- The speedometer needs a new cable or an entire cluster. It is not accurate.
What I like best about Land Rovers is their consistency. For decades, a Land Rover was a Land Rover; it was anachronistic, but somehow, it was just right. It was squared off and flat for easy manufacture, built for the postwar consumer who wanted a tough, reliable, no-nonsense workhorse (you were right, Mr. Robson!). That’s still the case today; somehow, time has made it even more charming. The owner is asking $12,500 for this tough-as-nails symbol of Britain.
This is the Welsh equivalent of a Mustang SSP.
The ideal polis car for a lot of Wales; a lot of it is hilly and agricultural, so doing stuff like rescuing cragfast sheep might not be that unusual.
The engine is a substantial upgrade and not plug & play. Interesting! I hope this goes to someone who enjoys tinkering….
A big thank you to the owner for listing an accurate condition and a list of things it needs (when does that ever happen).
Not being that familiar with current values, but is $12,500 a good value for a different engine with patched fenders? Not trying to be snarky, but it seems a lot. Then again, these are not for sale on every street corner.
Just asking cause I don’t know.
I’ve owned 6 of these over the years – all gas, no diesels – and they are tough as nails vehicles (this diesel looks like a nice upgrade from the standard one). I currently have a `66 109 pick up – looks like it’s been through a war, plowed lots of snow in NH, but mostly new underneath. Frames are a real problem on these – they were just mild painted steel rectangular tube with a few drain holes, once those plugged up they rotted from the inside out. The good news is that new galvanized frames are available (my truck has one under it). Just know – you have to take life on the slow track if you drive one – can’t be in a hurry!!
I had a Series 2 when I lived in Bath New Hampshire in the early 70’s. Driving home one night I stepped on the high beam switch and the switch fell through the new hole in the floor! Painted steel+road salt=Swiss cheese panels.
The PO apparently did not take care of the LR either, it developed a loud rod knock about 3 days before the dealer 30 day warranty expired but we got the selling VW dealer to get it repaired by the St. Johnsbury LR dealer.
There was no synchro on first and second and it was easy to time shifting through second without double clutching but my left knee is still noisy…
I had a ’73 type 3, gas powered. Couldn’t get out of its own way.
I thought it might work out as a sometime daily driver, good for snowy days in Massachusetts. So went ahead and installed a decent am/fm cassette player. The stereo was great when stopped, but otherwise couldn’t be heard over the howl from the driveline. No question, the truck was rugged, and good in the snow, but a bit of a chore to drive. Had our first child at the time, had her strapped in between us in the front seat. She named it ‘The Bumpy Car’ !
Beautiful!
My wife doesn’t know this yet, but I’m going to buy this truck.
The New York License Plates makes me pause. New York Rock Salt on Sheffield Steel? Please show pictures of the underside.
Sold for $11,000! It’s headed to a good home in Connecticut.