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Land Rover Series 3 SWB Hardtop

Land Rover Series 3 SWB Hardtop

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Land Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB Hardtop
Land Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB Hardtop
Land Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB HardtopLand Rover Series 3 SWB Hardtop
Lot number 65
Hammer value £3,200
Description Land Rover Series 3 SWB Hardtop
Registration NGS 674P
Year 1976
Colour Light Green
Engine size 2,286 cc
Chassis No. 90125354A
Engine No. 90202433C

The Series 3 Land Rover was introduced in 1971 and ran until it was replaced by the coil-sprung 90 in 1983 by which time over 440,000 had been produced.

As testament to the genius of the original concept, the millionth Land Rover rolled off the production line in 1976. In truth the S3 was little altered from the Series 2A, featuring a new plastic grille, full synchromesh gearbox and, from 1980, a 5-bearing crankshaft. The headlights were mounted on the outside of the wings, a carry-over from the late series 2A models, and the tough plastic dashboard was moved in front of the driver. A number of new options were added, which included de-luxe seats, as fitted to this example here.

In its original light green paint, the 1976 Series 3 Land Rover offered today is a standard SWB hardtop that was fitted early in its life with rear side windows and rear seating. It is fitted with optional overdrive, operated by an extra gearstick that sprouts from the gearbox tunnel accompanying the other three. Gear changing becomes an amusement all of its own as one can select a new gear ratio that gives a tiny increment of speed change, to the rising and falling of the 2.25 petrol engine’s busy working sounds.

Inside, the de-luxe seats (improved from the previous 2A model) are in good condition and can comfortably accommodate three abreast. The faded paintwork hints at a careless former life but nothing could be further from the truth, as the vendor received this Land Rover as a gift for his 60th birthday in 2007 and has kept it barn garaged on his smallholding and independent cider mill in the Herefordshire village of Bearwood.

For the last eight years the vendor has enjoyed its rugged practicality and proper countryside values. Always maintained by local specialists, the truck recently had five new tyres and last year received a thorough brake overhaul costing £863. A total of 14 old MOT certificates are on file that indicate recent annual mileages of about 400 miles. Various bills detail servicing and the odd chassis patch for the annual MOT test, and there are invoices from previous owners stretching back decades.

We all know that proper Land Rovers will cease production at Solihull later this year and prices of some models have already risen as interest and sentiment increases. This 88” could yet prove a canny investment as our savings remain stagnant in the bank.

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