Land Rover S3 88 Safari

What would we have done without the Land Rover? It took the company’s competitors years to cotton on to the potential of making a rugged go-anywhere vehicle but now there is scarcely a marque that doesn’t have a 4x4 in its range.

But while our streets are awash with increasingly fancy SUVs, none has come close to the utilitarian brilliance of the original. In 1947 Maurice Wilks, Rover’s chief designer, took a war surplus American Jeep as his inspiration and messed around with prototypes on his farm in Anglesey until he perfected the vehicle that was launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948.

The Series I gave way to the more sophisticated Series II in 1958, the Series IIA getting a larger more powerful engine along the way. The Series III arrived in 1971, and was the last of the Land Rover line to mirror almost exactly the design of the original, subsequent examples getting soft coil springs and fancy overhead valves. Little changed cosmetically from the preceding Series IIA, it had many detail improvements to meet increased competition from rival 4x4 manufacturers. It was the first model to feature synchromesh on all four gears and also had a much improved cabin with better safety and comfort features.

This superbly presented 2¼ petrol powered 88" station wagon with Safari roof has covered a mere 47,000 miles from new and has been fitted with a Fairey Overdrive and free-wheeling hubs. Originally registered on 2nd October 1978 to Steels of Hereford as a Director’s vehicle, it was subsequently sold in 1980 to a local farmer, remaining in his ownership until late last year when refurbishment commenced.

This genuine 2-owner vehicle has enjoyed very light usage, mainly for family holidays, and has been exceptionally well cared for. It still has its original tool kit and two external spare wheel mountings. We are informed that the waxoyled chassis is in excellent condition and that the full sympathetic refurbishment was carried out by a Hereford-based independent Land Rover specialist.

Works include the all-important replacement of the original bulkhead, inner wings and door-tops as well as new suspension dampers, bushes and all six track rod ends. Other work includes new electronic ignition, distributor cap, rotor arm, coil, spark plugs and HT leads. All hoses, fluids and filters were replaced as part of a full service along with new brake shoes and wheel cylinders.

The original wheels have been retained and professionally restored through shot-blasting and powder coating before being fitted with authentic ‘classic’ tyres. A recent new set of seats, window channels, dashboard, door trims and floor mats finish the interior off perfectly.

We are advised that this is a solid and sweet-running vehicle which will appeal to both enthusiasts and collectors – it comes complete with 9 months tax and MOT.