1983 Land Rover Series III

Description

A Land Rover will take you anywhere in the world you want to go... provided you have the time to get there. Never famous for their speed and power, this awesome 1983 Land Rover Series III neatly improved that particular shortfall with a powerful 3.5L V8 mated to the Rover's already awesome driveline. The result is a traditional-looking off-roader that works like a real vehicle in today's world.

Seen in the backgrounds of "Wild Kingdom" for decades, the Land Rover is one of the most famous vehicles on Earth. This particular Landie has been in Texas for some time but was originally a British Leyland built rig, which explains its right-hand-drive configuration. Finished with a white top over Sahara Tan, the paint is likely original to the truck, and as you might expect, it's showing some signs of age. But let's be real, for a real-deal off-roader, the look is right on. The build quality is very good of course, giving it a rugged, purposeful look that looks indestructible. Other appealing features include the Defender-like fascia (Best. Headlights. Ever.), a heavy-duty brush guard, the massive roof rack with extra spare tires (to go with the one mounted to the hood), and a gigantic jack attached to the rear of the vehicle. Every single piece is designed to be easy to service and durable, and there are clever features throughout that were thoughtfully designed with the world traveler in mind. For example, check out the diamond plates on the flat fenders, the vents under the windshield, and the hood-mounted spare tire and gigantic winch mounted to the front bumper, which just screams Safari.

The interior is pure substance over style, combining the Land Rover's utility and purposeful look with a few useful amenities to make it manageable in the modern world. The accommodations are spartan because luxury was a luxury you couldn't afford in the middle of nowhere. Reliability was paramount, and as a result, the interiors were made of durable, easy-to-maintain materials that would wear like iron. All the necessities are there, including comfortable bucket seats and a full array of instruments that are as close to universal as you're going to find. It's basic, don't get me wrong, so don't get in expecting a plush Range Rover experience, but if you're a fan of adventure and going places without roads, you'll definitely appreciate the no-nonsense approach. The entire interior is at factory spec save for a modern AM/FM/CD stereo and upgraded speakers, but in the middle of nowhere, what else are you going to do at night? The rear compartment will accommodate several passengers or a ton of cargo, and shows wear, but it's definitely ready for more. Even the awesome hard roof remains in great shape, and you'll love the added protection it provides if you ever take this 'ol girl out to the desert in the summer.

The 3.5L V8 liter engine won't win any drag races (although the 91 HP was quite a bit for a Landy at the time), but for rock climbing and severe duty, it's all about durability and gearing, and this engine excels. It's also relatively efficient and easy to service under all conditions. This truck shows just 69,959 miles on the odometer, and while they can't be proven to be original, we'll let you take a look and judge for yourself. A 4-speed manual is easy to use, and the 4-wheel-drive system is arguably the world's best. The frame is grossly over-built, and all the original equipment remains intact to give you the genuine experience. And for a more road-friendly experience, the blacked-out steel wheels wear fat 285/75/16 blackwall radials instead of the tall off-road specs this Landy would get from the factory.

Clean Land Rovers are none too easy to find, and if adventure is your game, this is your ride. Call today!