Land Rover Defender 110 Original Csw 3.5 V8 on 2040-cars

FACTORY ORIGINAL 1983 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110 COUNTY STATIONWAGON 3.5 V8

For sale: a stunningly beautiful classic original Defender 110 named The Brown Betty!

 

The Story

Build in October 1983, this is one of the first 110’s ever made! Among land Rover connoisseurs this is regarded as a real collector’s item. The combination of a 10 seats “County” most luxury finished with a 3.5 V8 engine and a 4 speed gearbox with Fairey overdrive is very hard to find. Even harder to find are the ones that are totally original like this one and so well maintained with only 91.000 miles on the clock!

 

The service history that comes with the Defender confirms that the mileage is correct. All the receipts of recent services are also available. They show what has been done to it and how well it has been maintained by Land Rover specialists. During the biggest part of her life she was owned by an English landlord who took very good care of her. People who are familiar with classic Defenders will be astonished by this one. Although it has driven some miles on the beautiful British roads, it will have many many more in it. Under normal usage and proper maintenance, those V8 blocks can do over 300.000 miles because they aren’t build for racing but for endurance. If you prefer diesel, like the Land Rover 300 TDI, this Defender is a perfect basis to convert, now or in the future. But please enjoy this V8 first. It isn’t as quick as a Ferrari but it is such a nice cruiser!

 

The Engine

The V8 petrol engine has a twin carb system. It starts within a second and runs as smooth as silk. It never misses a beat and has his characteristic V8 roar. For a cold start there is a choke available behind the steering wheel. The engine is really easy to maintain because the engine bay is very big and parts are widely available and come cheap. The engine is very well serviced and maintenance has just been done.

 

The Transmission

The gearbox is the original 4 speed LT95 with a Fairey overdrive. This is a very strong and reliable gearbox. It is known for its liability, robustness and good ratio’s. One of the best Land Rover ever build. It has 4 “normal” speeds and the extra overdrive. The overdrive has his own stick and is regarded as the 5^th gear. You could choose to leave it engaged the whole time but it’s better to use it as an economical extra gear. 

Both gearbox and overdrive work excellent. No weird noises, rattles or what so ever. Selecting gears goes smooth as it should. The Defender is permanently in 4 wheel drive. High/low gear and differential lock are present and work perfectly. The gear knob is below and next to the gearbox shift stick.

 

The Body

The aluminum body is in very good condition. Especially if you consider that it has still it’s original paint! Of course you can see here and there that it isn’t new, some scratches and age marks. But for a 30 year old vehicle, it is very very beautiful! The firewall and foot wells are totally clean and rust free. The doors are totally straight, close and open perfectly. There is some rust at the bottoms, which isn’t visible from the outside and isn’t bad. Something that is very typical for a Defender. Now water that enters the inside of the doors through the windows can easily flow out. The windows work as they should. The locks all work and on the same key.

The Defender has a height adjustable tow bar with electrics. Also a robust winch bumper with A-bar is mounted with big Wipac lights. They can be switched on and off by a switch in the dash.

 

The Chassis

The complete chassis is in perfect condition. It is hard and strong as to expect from this car. It has been coated with a special impregnation substance that prevents rust and keeps it strong. This was done every two years. Over that layer, there is black over coating. The chassis number or VIN is clearly visible. The VIN is: SALLDHMV1AA198497. Encoded this means:

SAL	Manufacturer code: Land Rover
LD	Model: Defender (for early models: Ninety, or One Ten)
H	Wheel base: 110 inch
M	Body type: 4-door station wagon (LWB)
V	Engine type: 3.5 liter V8 petrol, carburetor
1	Steering and transmission: Right-hand drive (RHD), 4-speed manual (LT95)
A	Model year: 1983
A	Assembly location: Solihull, UK
198497	Serial number

 

The Interior

The inside of the vehicle is sound proofed and has the original carpets or rubber mats. The headlining is in perfect condition with almost no spots or other marks of age, which is very exceptional. The seats are brown/beige, leather/cloth and in very good condition. There are 3 seats on the front row, 3 on the middle row and 2 benches in the rear that will fit 4 adults or 6 children. Seatbelts are mounted.

 

The Rest

Recently replaced:

• Shocks and suspension rear
• Fuel tank
• Lighting all round
• Brakes and brake pipes
• Rear exhaust with silencer
• Seatbelts

The Defender has got 5 Michelin all terrain tires which are almost like new. Even the spare wheel, which is mounted on a swing away carrier to take the load of the back door, is in very good condition

 

Service

It has just got a full service. All the oils and lubricants in the axles, gearbox, transfer box and so one have either been refreshed or filled up. It has also got 8 new spark plugs. The Defender’s power steering system is in excellent condition. I have owned many Defenders and driven even more of them, but I never felt one that is driving and steering so well. No play at all in the steering wheel, which is rather strange for a classic Defender.

Trying to be as honest as possible, I need to mention that the bottoms of the doors have some rust, which isn’t bad but I have to mention it.