Tuesday 8 August 2017

Land Rover Series 3 109 Stage 1 V8 3.5 Litre, UK model with Canvas top

Sellers Comments -
Registered New in the UK 7th November 1980
MOT until 23rd October 2017
35500 indicated miles (not warranted & may increase with use.
8 former keepers
Chassis Number LBCAV1AA****** (identifies it correctly as a 109 Stage 1 V8.
The V8 engine is also correct for this model as they can so often be changed.
I bought this Land Rover in April 2012 from a policeman in Milton Keynes and have had it for just over 5 years. Since owning it have had the suspension changed to Parabolic springs for a more comfortable ride (if that exists) and have kept it well maintained and serviced spending several thousand pounds on maintenance to make it turn key reliable.
It is completely original apart from the suspension & wheels.
The Gentleman previous to me bought it in October 2008
Stage 1 V8 history
This is one of the rarest production run Land Rovers and was produced at the end of the “Series 3” production as the “Stage 1” of the development of the Defender.
Land Rover were losing out on sales to Toyota Land cruiser which produced much more power and therefore they needed a bigger power plant so the distinctive flat front of  this model was created to accommodate the first factory fitted 3.5 litre V8 engine to a Land Rover.
The extra power and reliability created a lucrative export market for Land Rover but few were sold in the UK due to the fuel crisis in the 1980’s making running costs high.
If you aren’t familiar with them just google “Stage 1 V8” as there is loads of info about them & their history online.
Today according to the “How many left” website about 106 of these remain Taxed and road legal as follows:
109 V8 County SW                  3
109 V8 Hi-Cap                         6
109 V8 Regular                                   60        (Like this one)
109 V8 Station Wagon            37
Condition
This Land Rover is now nearly 37 years old and is not in restored condition but is in very good usable condition & kept garaged
The important bits including the Bulkhead are solid and the canvas top is in pretty good nick & could do with recolouring & waterproofing if you were fussy. All the lights & electrics work as they should.
The paintwork is good however this is a Land Rover so there are scratches and the odd ding here and there & the usual marks where the spare used to sit on the bonnet, but that is what they are all about so it isn’t a “Trailer Queen” showroom model but a great rare vehicle that you can be proud to use.
Of course please bear in mind there is no Air Conditioning, electric windows or even a radio so if you don’t know what you are really looking at here then please come & see it to make sure it is what you expect.
I also have a video here on youtube from 18 months ago where you can see a bit more:
If you have any questions or want to come & have a look please call me on 07775 626642.
Restored versions are now fetching ridiculous money so if you are in this business then this is a great clean vehicle, but it would be great if the purchaser just wanted to have some fun in a real iconic Land Rover.
I don’t really need to sell it but have a few to many cars and have my eye on something else unusual that would be nice.
Deposit of £500 required within 12 hours of auction end from the winning bidder. No Overseas – sorry.
I also reserve the right to end the auction early if necessary as it is advertised elsewhere.
Good luck.