One of our favourites, this red Land Rover Series 3 came to us in March 2020 with the remit that it should be completed by summer 2021 for the owners wedding day. We completed the car in September 2020 ready to be displayed on our stand at the Salon Prive Concours, Blenheim.

The Land Rover stared out as a 2.25 diesel pickup first registered in 1983. Though it came to us with a full MOT it has to be the worst example we have road tested in years, lethal was the best way to describe the steering. Our mandate was to restore far better than original condition with a Rover 3.5 litre V8 engine, front disc brakes and electric power steering. The drivetrain ratios were changed to match the power of the classic Rover V8. This matched with a hand made stainless steel exhaust system.

After much debate the customer finished on a colour we created that we called “hot tomato” The colour really stands out but also really suits the Series 3 contrasting with the silver of the galvanised cappings and the black of the wheels and Mohair hood.

As with all of our restorations, the car is built from the ground up, there isn’t a single piece that hasn’t been touched. The car is basically new. All bolts and fixings are either new or repaired and replated. On this car as originality wasn’t the main course of action, many of the bolts are stainless steel. The bulkhead is new along with the chassis, all panels have been meticulously repaired and all panels are painted separately to ensure coverage and a depth that you’re unlikely to find on other Land Rover restorations.

Hours required:

Specifications:

3.5 lire Rover V8

4 Speed manual gearbox with high ratio transfer box

Front disc brakes and Servo assistance

Wolf wheels with Goodyear MTR 235/80R16 tyres

Cost of similar build not including donor vehicle: £108k