After a 2 year search, I found the Land Rover I always wanted, however a unique business opportunity I want to take advantage has me selling a few things I wish I didn't have to. Due to time sensitivity of this opportunity, my reserve is set very low for this truck.
If you know Land Rovers, you know what the Stage 1 is. If not, I will list why many believe this to be the best Land Rover ever made.
All Series 1, 2, 2a and 3 trucks are fantastic vehicles. While they differ slightly in lots of areas, the one common issue is lack of power. Many people would love to drive their Series trucks as daily drivers, but can't due to this problem. They go anywhere - slowly, and are the ultimate 4X4 iconic vehicles everyone loves and wishes they had, but they just aren't practical. But at the end of the Series life, as a test lab for the upcoming Defender, Land Rover put the Range Rover drive train in the Series Land Rover. It consisted of full time 4WD, the most robust transmission Land Rover ever built - the 4 speed LT95, and the Land Rover V8 engine. It was the best of all worlds. Legendary Land Rover simplicity and reliability, yet with power and a drive train from the luxury Range Rover.
Horse power in the most powerful 4 cylinder Land Rovers was approximately 70HP. The Stage 1 V8 had massive torque and was de-tuned because it had too much power. De-tuning consisted of restrictor plates in the carburetors, which were easily removed, and the Stage 1 then produced approximately 140HP.
While many people think old Land Rovers are rare, they are not. Many were imported to the US. This makes parts plentiful. But the Stage 1 was never imported to the US, making them extraordinarily unique. It is estimated that there are approximately 30-50 of these trucks in the US with most having had very hard lives as they were built to work. Also, most were made in the 109 3 door version since they were powerful work trucks, so the more desirable 5 door station wagons with a factory V8 in the US are perhaps the rarest of all Land Rovers.
Despite this trucks rarity, body components are all standard Series 3 Land Rover. Engine and drive train parts are primarily Range Rover and both of those vehicles were produced in large quantities, making parts availability very feasible. There are a few unique items to the Stage 1, like the bonnet, but that is the same as the Defender.
This particular vehicle is a 1983. After searching for 2 years for a Stage 1 (3 or 5 door) I found this one. I bought it in Utah and flew there so I could drive it home to Southern California. Used to my 4 cyl 3 door Land Rover, I could not believe the difference. 75mph is no problem and the gas pedal is barely depressed. The truck had not been abused, but it had many little issues. I'm a perfectionist which is a problem with Land Rovers as they are always wanting to be tinkered with. But I chipped away at many little things and adjusted, lubricated, repaired, cleaned and refreshed many, many things. It made the 800 mile trip home, but it is in far better shape now.
Overall condition is good, but it is not a show car. It is very presentable, yet has enough patina to look like it's been places. No major dents or accidents ever, but lots of little scratches and scrapes on one paint job over the original paint. It was a cheap paint job I'm sure, and it's many years old, but it looks appropriately weathered for an old Land Rover. The interior is nice, but not perfect either. It has the "County" trim with black and grey tweed. The previous owner put leather Discovery seats in the front, and being a purist I thought they would be the first to go. I grew to like them and while the original seats were included, I never changed them. It has the "Safari" roof with alpine windows, 4 vents and the extra aluminum skin. It does have a sunroof, which appears to have been dealer installed. I don't believe Land Rover ever offered these, but I've seen other Stage 1 trucks with the identical item. Perhaps a popular option at the time. Chassis is good and does not require any attention at this time, but like most Land Rovers, the outriggers rust and this will need attention some day.
If I were keeping the truck, I would do two things. I would either rebuild or replace the carburetors. These have twin SU carburetors which are fantastic for off road and extreme angles, yet they aren't the best for mileage and require balancing etc. Many people opt for the single Holley carburetor to get away from twins as well as increase fuel mileage. Personally, I like OEM original, so I'd keep the SU twins and rebuild them. Most owners opt for the Holley. The second thing I would do is change the leaf springs to Parabolic springs. This is another debated subject on Land Rovers and to each their own. I like Parabolics as they ride better to me, but some disagree. Neither of these must be done, but I would certainly do them for an overall smoother vehicle. I'm 51 and I like smooth.
Other misc. things I can think of:
1. Another unique aspect to the Stage 1 is turning radius. Series trucks do not have the best turning radius and I was pleasantly surprised how much tighter it is with the Range Rover set up.
2. I've read that some folks have had troubles with the Diff Lock working properly. This one works perfectly.
3. All Land Rovers leak oil. I've had 4 of them. This either does not leak or it leaks very little. Less than any Rover I've ever had.
4. All fluids in Trans, transfer case, diffs, engine, etc. have just been changed in the last 30 days.
5. On my drive home from Utah, it burned zero oil. I was amazed.
6. Truck is RIGHT hand drive. The VIN indicates Stage 1, V8, LT95 4speed, 5 door wagon, 109, but LEFT hand drive. Puzzled by this, I crawled underneath and looked around. Sure enough, someone at some point flipped it from LHD to RHD. They are made to be set up either way, but this was changed and could be changed back without issue if so desired. I've learned to really enjoy the RHD, so for me, I love it. Lots of "thumbs ups" from other motorists.
7. Truck came with a Defender grille set up. I prefer original everything, so I sourced a Stage 1 grille and installed it. Truck comes with either grille but not both. It takes about 3 minutes to swap them out and I'm showing photos with both versions. Your choice.
8. Bonnet is set up to accommodate a spare tire. Currently spare is mounted on the rear door. For fun I took some photos with a spare from another vehicle on the bonnet. Truck will come with one spare, not two as shown in a few photos.
I love this truck and wish I were keeping it. With that said, I'm happy to help the new owner with advice, parts sources, opinions, etc. This is a unique vehicle which deserves a good home. Without neglect, it will do nothing but appreciate, so it deserves to be taken care of. Defenders are nice trucks, but they are expensive and they're everywhere. Series trucks are nice, but they are underpowered. This is the best of all with the classic looks, split windscreen, lack of fender flares, yet the benefit of power. With the V8 you can even run an air conditioner if you desired. True old school safari looks, with enough comfort to be usable every day.
I would not hesitate driving this truck to Florida tomorrow. The ride would be nicer with the two items I suggested above, but single or twin carbs and standard or parabolic springs are individual choices the new owner can make if they so desire. I've priced this truck with those suggested improvements in mind.
International buyers can expect my assistance in delivering the truck to the Port of Long Beach if necessary.
Good luck and enjoy.
Note: VIN is not recognized by ebay but is SALLBCMV2AA101794
Truck is a 1983 model but I had to put 1980 in the ebay form or it kicked it out because it does not recognize the VIN.
Truck is a 1983 and VIN on the frame matches VIN on the engine bay tag, which matches VIN on the title. After fussing with the ad, my wife suggested putting 1980 and it accepted the ad as a 1980 Defender. This is not the Defender, it is the Series III Stage 1 V8.
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Tue, 26 Feb 2013
Is It An Off-Road Adventure Or Just A Walk In The Park?
I remember having to get out and lock hubs and shift into neutral to engage low range.
Coming off press previews of the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover and the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that involved some heavy-duty off-road rock climbing, I'm simply amazed at the capabilities that these vehicles possess. But even more impressive (or troubling depending on your perspective) is the relative ease with which you can operate these vehicles in seemingly impossible terrain.
Wed, 22 Oct 2014
Anyone who's a car fan knows that Jaguar and Land Rover cars and trucks all come from the UK. And while we don't doubt that will remain true for the most part, it won't be an absolute truth for long, as the British automaker has just opened its first factory overseas.
Its new plant in Changshu, China, is the result of a $1.8-billion joint venture between JLR and local automaker Chery. It covers some 4.3-million square feet and will, once at peak capacity, produce 130,000 units specifically for the Chinese market, where JLR sells over 100,000 vehicles each year to make it the company's single largest market worldwide.
Production at what's officially known as the Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Company will start with the Evoque, of which one in five globally are currently sold in China. Production will eventually encompass three models. We already know that the Discovery Sport will be next, but the third model line has yet to be announced. JLR has confirmed, however, that the Changshu plant will produce unique models and derivatives specifically for the Chinese market, so we wouldn't be surprised to see a long-wheelbase version of the forthcoming XE or next-generation XF assembled there to satisfy local tastes.
Tue, 25 Sep 2012
It's hard to think back now, but the same man overseeing the design of the 2013 Ford Fusion also presided over a rather lackluster period in Ford design, highlighted by vehicles like the Five Hundred and Freestyle. With the redesigned Fusion receiving high praise, J Mays tells Automotive News that he feels vindicated from criticisms suggesting he's not a daring enough designer.
When Mays took over as lead of design in 1997, he admits to having quite an ego ("My head would barely fit through the door some days. I've long since gotten over myself") and the workload to match. With the Blue Oval's portfolio full of premium brands like Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo at that point, along with the bread-and-butter Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, Mays certainly had quite the challenge.
It was in the mid-2000s that Mays took over just the premium brands, and took on the new title of Chief Creative Officer. At the time, Mays endured some criticism for looking backwards to retro styling, rather than setting a new standard for American car design - criticism that Mays says he is free from with the all-new Fusion.
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