Defender alloys on a series 3

So he had a series three for off roading and when it was well and truly nacked he put the plates on a 90 for the free tax.

Cool.

Starting to wish I'd never asked the question about the wheels now.

The chassis is the original, with the chassis number in the correct place under the wheel arch. Yes suspension, and I assume axles have been updated, but everything else looks original, apart from the front end body work, but that's nothing new for these old trucks judging by the other examples I've seen.

And the tax is far from free, it's not even close to the 40 year eligibility

So its just the bodywork, bulkhead, doors, suspension, axles, braking system, glass and engine thats been changed.
Thank goodness for that, I thought it was a scouse ringer for a minute.

Oh by the way the series 3 aint got a chassis number under the wheel arch. At least not from the factory. That was the classic Range Rover.

Oh so that's the issue, it's because I live in Liverpool. Nothing like a bit of stereotyping.... even though the last owner was from Blackpool (is that any better?).

The series 3 chassis number was stamped in to the chassis rail, behind the front bumper on post 1979 models, just under the wheel arch, exactly where mine is.

If that's not just a Ninety/Defender with a restamped number then I'm Donald Trump. Possibly stolen and rung? Nothing to do with Liverpool, just likely given what it looks like.

If someone really fitted coil axles and managed to place them in the same position as a Ninety wheelbase wise on a series chassis then they're an awesome fabricator.

Right I'm taking it to be checked out by a specialist before I plough any more money in to fixing it up.

I took all the necessary steps to check the car's history when buying it, HPI check, looked through the history and I have a new V5, so I'm hoping that it's all legit.

I appreciate all the advice.

Its nothing personal at all and I feel your concern as we all do. Many series out there are overly modified and over their life things are bound to be swapped and changed around.
The problem is of course that as 'this vehicle type owners' we are given lots of grey areas that suit us very well most of the time. This however will not always be if it is perceived by those that must be obeyed we are taking the pizz. The other problem is insurance. If and I sincerely hope it never happens, you take out half a dozen blind orphans carrying pet bunny rabbits collecting for cancer research, your insurance will walk away leaving you to sell all you have to pay a portion of your litigation leaving a hefty custodial sentence to make up the difference. Thats not good for any of us.
If it is overly modified and requires a Q plate its not the end of the world it just means your insurance will go up a bit. Still be great fun.
looks a bastid though....... I like it.