1979 Land Rover Series 3 88" 45,000 Miles

A Rare Opportunity to Acquire an Exceptionally Original, Unmolested & Very Desirable 1979 Series III Land Rover 88" Short Wheel Base Genuine Hardtop.


Just 45,000 miles from new. Supplied new by Wadham Stringer (Taunton) Ltd, which was a Land Rover dealer on 11th April 1979.

It has had four owners since new of which a majority have owned the vehicle for long periods of time.

Unique in such original condition and we think this is one of the lowest mileage best original un-restored 1979 examples available.

Retaining all of its original panels and much of its original paint.

A very rare find indeed and one unlikely ever to be repeated - truly remarkable!

To find an unmolested example has become very hard, but to find one that has had just four owners, only covered forty-five thousand miles, retains all of its original panels, its original chassis, engine, gearbox, interior and even all of its original factory paint finish well that's unheard of..............


BODYWORK

When we acquired HYB 988T with the exception of a light crease to the offside front wing and a few very minor scratches there was no damage on the vehicle.

The body and paint finish is 100% original, and way above the average 36 year old Series III Land Rover. However HYB 988T is not your average series III Land Rover, it is extraordinary.

It has benefited from a light polish and wax on all panels.

The wheels are finished in Limestone, which is factory correct for a 1979 Land Rover in Marine Blue.

The rivets on the rear panels and the roof uprights were never finished in body colour when they left the factory this is how it remains on this vehicle.

The bulkhead is exceptionally solid and original, in fact as good as we have ever seen. There has been a small repair to the driver’s foot well due to it having a bulkhead outrigger at some stage in its life.

It retains it's original rear cross member which has never been welded. The underside has not been covered in under seal but preserved in new clean oil, you can still see the factory overspray under the wings and rear body this is exactly how they left the factory. No welding is required anywhere on this vehicle and it is ready to go.

Originally from new HYB 988T had a spare wheel fitted to the rear door hence it never having a wheel mounted on the bonnet. The underside of the bonnet also shows original overspray and the support braces retain their original black finish. The spare wheel is currently stored behind the seat bulkhead with the original bracket.

A few marks have been touched in with a touch up brush over the years but nothing considerably noticeable that requires attention.

The hardtop roof is in excellent condition and has no dents or scratches and is still in it's original paint where you are able to see the original spot welds through the paint.

The vehicle still retains all it’s original Lucas headlights, lenses for indicators, side lights and brake lights which is nice to see as these items are now obsolete.


INTERIOR

Exemplary - by far the best original Land Rover Series III it still has it's original Land Rover fitted floor mats which are still held in by their original hold down clips which you never see anymore as they used to always get broken.

The original factory fitted Deluxe front seat backs are in good condition as are the bases except for a small split on the passenger side seat base, they have never been replaced and are the originals too the vehicle these are of much better quality than replacements that are now available.

Door cards to the front doors are original factory items and are complete although the arm rests have started to sag it would be a shame to replace the door cards on such an original vehicle. Sun visors that are perfect. It still retains all it's original triplex glass in the windscreen, door tops, backdoor and hardtop.

Unique in such original condition and we think this is one of the lowest mileage best original un-restored 1979 examples available. Retaining all of its original panels and much of its original paint.

A very rare find indeed and one unlikely ever to be repeated - truly remarkable!

To find an unmolested example has become very hard, but to find one that has had just four owners, only covered forty-five thousand miles, retains all of its original panels, its original chassis, engine, gearbox, interior and even all of its original factory paint finish well that's unheard of..............

The dash is unmarked with no cracks or sun damage.

No Radio ever fitted and the rest of the dashboard had been left unmolested. All windows open, all the window channels are good and because the vehicle has been kept under cover not rusted away as so often is the case.

Under the passenger seat the compartment contains the original jack, wooden handle for the jack, wheel brace.

The load area is exceptionally clean and doesn't show any sights of heavy use.


UNDER THE BONNET

One of the best original engine bays we have seen on a Series 3, extremely clean with original stickers still in place.
Original paint to engine block. Factory fitted inner mud shields unusually still both in place and are intact.


ON THE ROAD

The factory fitted engine busts into life on the turn of the key. It is apparent that this is a vehicle that has been maintained and covered low mileage it runs as quiet and smooth as any Series Land Rover that we have ever had.

A joy to drive and such fun, the vehicle has a 12-month MOT with no advisories. Four wheel drive and low range engage, as they should. The gears change up and down as they should it has a very quite gearbox which is a good sign of it's light use over the years.

Almost all Series Land Rovers we have had drip a little oil, some quite a lot, HYB 988T is the exception though no drips of oil to speak of even after standing for days in the same place.

The steering is as it should be and the vehicle doesn't wonder on the road like some series vehicles do.

All the tyres are Avon Traction Mileage 6.00x16 including the spare which were the original fitment when the vehicle was supplied new. They all have good tread some light cracking due to the exposure from the sun but are still in good roadworthy condition. In our opinion vehicles never look right unless they are on the right tyres.


SUMMARY

HYB 988T is an unmolested and original Series 3 Hardtop in immaculate original condition. All the numbers match - the chassis numbers on the plates are the same as on the log book registration document and that stamped on the chassis itself. The engine number also matches that recorded on the logbook.

This is one of the best low mileage and original untouched Series 3 we have ever had the opportunity to own.

This Land Rover has obviously been cared for and cherished by its previous owners.

It is very solid example that requires no work and is ready to use and enjoy.

It retains its original chassis, still displays the V.I.N clearly stamped on it by the factory.

If you are an investor you will already known the growing importance of original un-messed with condition for classic cars. You will also know that Land Rover never used galvanised chassis for production of Series vehicles - so one that's been fitted with one cannot by any stretch claim to be original and un-messed with. If you are an enthusiast then you will not be disappointed with this vehicle as it is perfect in almost ever detail and is exactly as it left the factory 36 years ago.

This is a very honest 36-year-old Series Land Rover.

What you see is what you get. HYB 988T retains much of its original paint finish - albeit with a few aged dings, scratches and marks. Please therefore do not expect absolutely pristine. However you will have to go a long way to find a better vehicle.

If you have been looking for the very best of the best when it comes to original condition un-restored Land Rover Series 3's then this is the right vehicle for you as it's the more desirable short wheel base meld which is a lot more practical easier to park, store, drive etc.


VALUE

Low mileage, history, condition, and originality will contribute greatly to the value of any classic. Anybody can restore a Land Rover to a certain standard however you can't make anymore-original low mileage vehicles and so for that reason these vehicles are becoming increasingly harder to find and so any opportunity to buy one shouldn't be missed.