1979 Series 3 88 LHD for sale-TX

**80sailor** · 06-03-2024, 08:23 PM

Price- $35,000

For sale is my 1979 Series III 88 finished in Admiralty Blue with mileage showing @17k but really TMU. I’ve owned, maintained and garage kept it for the past 9 ½ years. I’m the fourth owner since its conversion/restoration and, as an enthusiast, spent time documenting the history of it’s time.

History:
This S3 started life as military vehicle which saw duty in Belgium and Germany before being retired and sold into civilian life. In the capable hands of The Land Rover Center, Huddersfield, this S3 traded in its uniform for a complete, frame off overhaul and conversion to “station wagon” livery in late 2009. Aesthetic changes included a new coat of Admiralty Blue paint, limestone tropical top, galvanized chassis w/undercoating, four rear jump seats, Exmoor trim high-backed front seats, Mantec spare tire carrier and carpeting/sound deadening as well as a locking center console. Mechanically the S3 received a heart transplant from diesel to petrol including a Turner high compression head as well as an overdrive, manually selectable hubs, electric cooling-assist fan.

The Land Rover Center refit was commissioned by the owner of a small resort in North Carolina. There, it had a happy existence as the resort’s “ambassador” and unofficial mascot.

The second owner (post MOD) was a business owner in Maryland who, despite having a bad back, thought it would make a great daily driver. That relationship ended quickly and he gave it to one of his employees as a bonus.

The third owner, husband of the aforementioned bonus recipient, was the person I purchased it from. Despite being new to Series LR’s, he added the winch, rear work light and fog lamps in an effort to make it fit what he was looking for. He also added a quirk that I never chose to correct- push button start and a kill switch (the key merely unlocks the steering column). This is also when the damage to the passenger side door and quarter panel ding happened while removing the hard top with a friend. He never quite fell in love with it and thus it came into my possession.

Under my ownership, I have kept it regularly maintained, added a new Exmoor Trim soft top two years ago, galvanized tailgate (to go with the soft top) and treated it like family. It got a new Zenith carb last summer and battery a few months prior to that. I’ve also upgraded the alternator and swapped out the dim headlights for brighter LED units. The door damage from the previous owner was sealed up with silicone and no corrosion has set in. That said, included with the sale is a new, unpainted door bottom I purchased “just in case”.

This S3 really is a gem, but not a perfect one. Like most Landy’s there are the usual drivetrain drips to let you know it still has fluids, but not alarmingly so. The clutch master cylinder also leaks ever so slightly requiring a fluid check or a top off every few weeks. Also, the next owner may want to put a new set of tires on it.

Overall, it starts, runs, shifts, drives and stops nicely and without drama or hesitation.

Included parts/spares in the sale:
-Rochester carb
-new oil filter
-Exmoor Trim soft top and galvanized hardware
-Galvanized aftermarket tailgate
-new (in packaging) unpainted aftermarket passenger door bottom
-unpainted breakfast plate (sits where the winch is currently)
-LED instrument panel lights (never got around to the upgrade)
-Haynes manual
-assorted spares of gaskets and seals
-anything else relevant I can find laying around

The truck is located just north of Dallas and I have the title in hand.

Thanks for looking.