MOTOR CARS | 1470nspired by the <S Armys wartime Jeep, developed in haste and
intended for short-term, small-scale production, the Land Rover would
defy its creators' initial scepticism. Rover bosses the Wilks brothers saw
the need for a tough, four-wheel-drive, utility vehicle to serve the needs of
the agricultural community in the immediate post-war years, but the Land
Rover's runaway success took the company by surprise. The necessity
of using corrosion resistant aluminium panels at a time of severe steel
shortage turned into a positive virtue in the Land Rover's sphere of
operations, and the use of existing components - including the P3
saloon's 1,595cc, four-cylinder, sidevalve engine - kept production costs
down and cut development time.
The Land Rover developed progressively through Series II and IIA
models, and by the time the Series III was announced in September
1971, this iconic off-road utility vehicle had sold more than 750,000 units
worldwide. The Range Rover had been introduced during the preceding
year, single-handedly creating the market for luxury off-roaders, and
some of its refinement inevitably rubbed off on the Land Rover. 0ndeed,
the changes made were so extensive that a new model designation was
considered appropriate, hence 'Series III'.
Characteristic Series 000 features included headlamps in the wings (first
seen on the 00A), an all-synchromesh gearbox, and a revised dashboard
with instruments grouped in front of the driver. The Series III would turn
out to be one of the longest lived Land Rover models, lasting until the
Defender's introduction in 1990.A Series III model on the 109" wheelbase, this example has the 2,286cc
petrol engine. It is an example of the rare Ceremonial Land Rover, a type
used on many occasions by the Royal Family, and is the very last of
its kind to be released from military service in the <K. 0t has covered a
genuine 2,201 miles from new and is totally original.This vehicle was last used in November 2012 for the Lord Mayor of
Londons Parade through the City (main image above), serving as the
Pageant Masters transport. During the Parade, the Pageant Master
handed over this Land Rover to the Lord Mayor after the latters coach
lost a wheel" he was then able to continue. Offered for sale by the
Ministry of Defence, this is a unique opportunity to acquire such an
unusual and iconic Land Rover variant, in genuinely original condition.
Please note 20% VAT will be added to the hammer price if remaining in
the E<.
£20,000 - 30,000
€23,000 - 35,000144 †
1978 LAND ROVER SERIES III 109" 4X4
CEREMONIAL UTILITY
Registration no. not registered
Chassis no. 91184307C
- Rare 'Ceremonial' variant
- Offered for sale by the Ministry of Defence
- 2,201 miles from new
- Last used in 2012