Vehicle Description
1981 Land Rover Series III. This is a fairly rare original STAGE 1,
limited-production transitional between the 109 and the 110
chassis. According to various LR registries, less than 200 remain
operational in the US. A REAL Classic UK-made Land Rover Series
Stage 1 109 with the desirable V8 engine, basically the Range Rover
Classic running gear with a late Series III chassis. This is most
definitely NOT a SANTANA knock-off copy ! I am the second US owner
since importation to AZ in 2009. Purchased from a South African
chap attending an Army exchange-student Officer basic course at Ft.
Huachuca. Titled as a 1980 in the US but built and sold in the UK
in 1981, also when it first had its initial British MOT. Last
British MOT inspection was in 2006. 130k current actual original
miles (odometer was replaced with a MPH instrument adjusted to its
proper equivalent) by Sun City Automotive of AZ in 2010). Desirable
ORIGINAL factory-stock 3.5L V8 Range Rover motor with stock dual
carburetors, not the troublesome 2.6 6 cylinder nor the anemic
gutless 2.2 4 banger. Stock 4spd L77 heavy-duty manual
transmission. Transfer case level switch on the fly right on the
seatbox. Rides like a truck. I had been slowly fixing it up, but I
will be deploying overseas (yet again), and it keeps getting put on
the backburner. Between the mobilization and a recent, new addition
to the family, it seems unlikely that I will get it where I want
it, thus I have decided to sell it. And the wife keeps nagging me
for a newer Range Rover for her.... I have had a bit of work done,
including a SACHS clutch back in 2015, brakes, carburetor rebuild,
a new battery, clutch slave, new fuel tank, new fuel pump, drums,
refinish of the roof, wheels, brand-new tires, cap & rotor,
ignition coil, spark plugs, etc. I also recently had a new set of
points installed ( which frankly, are a royal pain in the arse to
set. I recommend a PERTRONIX conversion update), also a
newly-installed rooftop ladder.
