Registration - RUL 488R

Chassis No. - 93161875C

M.O.T. - Exempt

Odometer - 52,000

This fine example of patinated Land Rover heritage is a matching numbers 1977 Series III 109” Station Wagon. Powered by Land Rover’s 2,286cc straight-four petrol engine, with four-speed low and high range manual transmission, and presented in Marine Blue over body-colour interior, ‘RUL 488R’ includes ‘Deluxe’ seating for 10 in the classic five-door long-wheelbase estate. Those seats are upholstered in black vinyl, which is far from the only concession to comfort. The vehicle is also fitted with the double-skinned Tropical roof, which includes Alpine windows set into the curvature of the cream-coloured roof. This matches the wheels, which are fitted with period free-wheeling hubs to reduce transmission drag at higher speeds.

‘RUL 488R’ has benefitted from recent services and work carried out to the value of more than £3,500, and there is a file of documentation supporting its history. Other recent expenditure includes a work on a brake overhaul, lift pump, seat bases, and new bulkhead footwells. While not included in the sale, a Fairey Overdrive unit is available at separate negotiation to the buyer. Records show that there have been just six different keepers in the Land Rover’s 47 year life, and this would help support - though it remains unwarranted - an indicated 51,978 miles showing on the odometer. Described as being in ‘good’ to ‘average’ condition throughout, the engine is rated by the seller as the latter, though the transmission, bodywork, and interior are considered the former. The paintwork? Well, that has been described as ‘average’ though caveated by the vendor as ‘depending on what you like’. Ready for a continued life as a workhorse, or as an ideal canvas for restoration, ‘RUL 488R’ is a characterful example of an ever popular model.

Famously designed by Maurice Wilks in the sand of Red Wharf Bay, not even the most optimistic of on-lookers could have expected the runaway success that the Land Rover would become. It all started in 1948 with the Land Rover 80” – though clearly it became known as the Series I; initially it was simply the Land Rover. It came about essentially as a stop-gap for Rover to produce affordable vehicles in post-war Britain, and although inspired by the Willys Jeep, it went on to become hugely successful – not just in terms of sales, but in capabilities too. In 1954, the 80” was replaced by an 86” wheelbase, and with the addition of a long-wheelbase 107” model, the former became the short-wheelbase variant. These only lasted a couple of years however, before a rejig of the design brought about the 88” and 109” models in 1956, with a diesel option arriving a year later. Land Rover realised that continued and significant improvements would need to be made, and in 1958 these were significant enough to create a Series II Land Rover, thereafter ensuring the original versions became known as the Series I. The Series II ran from 1958 until 1961 and introduced further variants, including a 12-seater version, as well as Forward Control commercial models. The Series III arrived after the Series II A in 1971, and although it was largely a mild change from the outgoing model initially, by the end of its production run in 1985, a range of alterations to engines and trim had come about, and it covered the one millionth Land Rover produced, in 1976.

In summary:

• Low mileage example of a Series III 109 Station Wagon
• Considerable recent work carried out
• Well specified, with practical period features