1980 Land Rover Series 3 - Safari Green - Ex-Australian Army - 99,275km - 4.1L Ford Inline 6, 4-Speed Manual, 4WD
Price Guide: $22,000 - $32,000
1980 Land Rover Series 3, ex-Australian Defence Force, Safari Green, 4.1L Ford inline 6-cylinder (converted), 4-speed manual, four-wheel drive with high/low range, 99,275km.
Description
The Land Rover Series 3 is the final and most refined expression of the original Land Rover concept, produced from 1971 to 1985. Built to go anywhere, last forever, and be fixed in the field with basic tools, the Series 3 has earned a devoted following among enthusiasts, restorers, and working vehicle operators in Australia and worldwide. This example carries a provenance that makes it particularly interesting. The military data plate on the firewall identifies it as a contract-supplied vehicle delivered to the Australian Defence Force in February 1981, built as a Light Utility General Service vehicle fitted for radio communication. It was manufactured by Leyland Australia and assembled to ADF specification, which included Safari Green livery, side-facing bench seating in the rear tray, and a full Ministry of Defence modification tracking plate. The compliance plate confirms December 1980 build and the 6-cylinder soft top configuration.
The vehicle presents as an honest, unrestored example. The Safari Green paint holds reasonable colour across the body panels with the light stone chipping and surface patina you would expect from a 44-year-old working vehicle. The body panels are straight and the panel gaps are even, with no evidence of major accident damage or panel replacement. A black tubular front bull bar has been fitted, and a Bamford winch is mounted to the front bumper bar, a practical addition consistent with the vehicle's working history. Goodyear G114 and Dunlop SP Trailgripper all-terrain tyres are fitted on matching body-colour painted steel wheels, with a roof-mounted spare. The canvas canopy shows age-related weathering. Inside, the original black vinyl bench seat, original steering wheel, and original instrument cluster displaying 99,275km are all present. The rear tray retains its aluminium ribbed floor and the fold-down side-facing bench seating in the safari/troop carrier configuration. Rope lashing points are fitted front and rear. The 4.1-litre Ford inline 6-cylinder engine conversion has replaced the original Rover 2.25L unit, a common and well-regarded upgrade that improves reliability and parts availability. The engine bay shows honest surface patina consistent with age. The undercarriage shows surface rust on the chassis rails, consistent with the vehicle's age and working history. The differential has been recoated in black and the undercarriage is reasonably clean, with no obvious structural compromise visible from the photos.
Ex-ADF Series 3 Land Rovers carry genuine collector interest and are increasingly sought after as the pool of original examples diminishes. With Safari Green military spec, ADF provenance documentation, the 4.1L Ford conversion, Bamford winch, and 99,275km on the clock, this sits squarely in the mid-range of the current AUD $18,000 to $28,000 market for Series 3s in honest unrestored condition.
Features
* 4.1-litre Ford inline 6-cylinder petrol engine (converted from original Rover unit)
* 4-speed manual transmission
* Four-wheel drive with high and low range transfer box
* Right-hand drive, original Leyland Australia assembly
* Ex-Australian Defence Force, contract delivered February 1981
* ADF military data plates present (MOD record plate and vehicle specification plate)
* Leyland Australia compliance plate, December 1980 build
* Light Utility General Service specification, fitted for radio
* Safari Green livery, body-colour painted steel wheels
* Bamford front-mounted winch
* Black tubular front bull bar
* Goodyear G114 and Dunlop SP Trailgripper all-terrain tyres
* Roof-mounted spare tyre
* Aluminium ribbed rear tray floor with fold-down side bench seating (troop carrier configuration)
* Rope lashing points front and rear
* Original black vinyl bench seat, steering wheel, and instrument cluster
* 99,275km odometer reading
Condition Notes
* Surface rust and patina throughout, consistent with 44-year-old unrestored vehicle
* Canvas canopy shows age-related weathering and fabric fading
* Rear tray bench seat back upholstery deteriorated
* Engine bay shows age-related surface grime and component oxidation
* Chassis rails show surface rust, standard for age, no structural compromise visible
Specifications
Year: 1980
Make/Model: Land Rover Series 3
Body: Soft Top, 2-door (Troop Carrier/Utility configuration)
Engine: 4.1L Ford inline 6-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol
Engine No: PJ38467
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Drive: Four-wheel drive (high and low range)
Steering: Right-hand drive
Odometer: 99,275km
Colour: Safari Green
Seats: 2 (cab) + rear bench seating
GVM: 2,760kg
Manufacturer: Leyland Australia Pty. Ltd.
VIN: LBCAP1AF507798
(Key #CC13)
Lloyds stock #658211+1
#CCALL
#CCUSA
Location of item: 148 Main Street, Beverley, SA, Australia
As Standard Auction Practice all Vehicles are Sold Unregistered
As with all vehicles sold in the Classic Car Division, they have been well looked after by their previous owners. This is an Auction Sale. This asset is sold under standard auction conditions, as is, where is. High volumes of incoming product prevent our team from being able to inspect all items individually. All photos, descriptions, odometer readings, hour readings, engine specifications and any condition reports should be used as a guide only and have been compiled after speaking with the owners. To find out more about this lot or to book a live video inspection please contact the Auctioneer Contact which can be found on the Auction Details page. There is no statutory warranty & no cooling off period.
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