Registration No: SPR 985X
Chassis No: SALLBCAVIAA161545
MOT: Exempt

• Full ground-up 7 year restoration completed 2023
• Tractable and user friendly 3.5 Litre Rover V8
• Brand new Galvanised chassis

By the late 1970s the Land Rover was coming under pressure from Japanese rivals like the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Nissan Patrol which had more powerful six-cylinder engines than the four-cylinder Rover units that had powered the Solihull machines since 1948. However, for six glorious years, between 1979 and 1985, the mother of all Land Rovers was bolted together using components from across the Solihull range. The LT95 manual gearbox from the Range Rover Classic, the 3.5-litre V8 used in the military’s FC101 and chassis components from the globally respected Series III vehicles all contributed to a marvellous concoction of fuel-crisis defying pleasure. Known variously as the Series III Stage 1 V8, the Land Rover Stage 1 V8 and more simply as the Land Rover V8, ‘Stage 1’ actually referred to the first stage of investment from Margaret Thatcher’s Government to improve Land Rover’s product range by pumping in £200 million of tax payer’s money. This scheme eventually led to the development of the coil-sprung One Ten and Ninety models (Stage 2) and the diesel engines we have found ourselves besotted with ever since. Churning out a modest 91bhp from the de-tuned Range Rover Classic engine, but with enough torque to literally tear trees out of the ground or tow a building, the permanent four-wheel-drive, and the sheer grunt from this parts-bin beast took Land Rover in a new direction that set about defining the company for the next twenty years.

If you are looking for a restored Series Land Rover and you fancy something a little rarer, we urge you to view this marvellous car! Originally starting life as a UN Ambulance, SPR 985X appeared to have had a relatively rough existence prior to the vendor's friend acquiring the vehicle in 2003. The chassis had unfortunately completely rotten through and some panels such as the floor pans were unfortunately beyond repair. The big (by Land Rover standards) 3.5 Litre V8 was in a pretty terrible state and it was obvious that the car hadn't moved for a long time. He embarked on the restoration which included a full strip down and replacement of the chassis with a galvanised unit, fabrication of a complete new front floor panel. The original engine was deemed fit to run again and has been treated to fresh paint and reconditioned carburettors and also the car has had a refresh of the brakes and suspension. Full photographic evidence of works completed is provided within the history file. Unfortunately, the gentleman fell into ill health prior to the completion of the restoration so our vendor, a serial classic vehicle restorer, stepped in to get the car completed and get the finishing touches done and now present the car for sale. The hard work has quite evidently paid off and the results are very pleasing! This must be one of the finest Stage 1 V8 Land Rovers in existence today.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430