I am new to all this but have always wanted to have a restored Series 3. I have been looking at listings on Bring A Trailer and Hemmings and any advice is greatly appreciated. Please forgive my ignorance, but are all of these going to have a few small leaks and some minor frame rust? While I guess galvanized frame is ideal, is bedliner acceptable? Also, the ones I am looking at have a rear tailgate and soft top. If the tailgate drops rather than swings to the side, how does one enter the rear side facing seats? Is the tailgate sturdy enough to step on without damaging it?
Newbie in market for LHD Series 3, need advice
- Thread starter Morrisfr
- Start date
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tottot
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Given your obvious lack of knowledge as to what a series 3 is, I recon you need to see and if you can drive one and then decide if it is for you.
The series 3 is a basic pretty tough vehicle with simple mechanics and electrics when compared to todays vehicles and has little in the way of frills. The youngest will be some 40 years old so when it comes to condition it depends on how well they have been looked after/restored.
The series 3 is a basic pretty tough vehicle with simple mechanics and electrics when compared to todays vehicles and has little in the way of frills. The youngest will be some 40 years old so when it comes to condition it depends on how well they have been looked after/restored.
Yes, a friend of mine has a Series 2a which I have driven and enjoyed it very much. Not looking for a daily driver so much as something for weekends, Sunday drives, etc. Just trying to get some additional thoughts and thought this forum would be a good place to start
First off. Where about in the LHD world are you? I get from what you have said you are US based.
If you are in the US and thinking of importing 1 a Galvanized chassis would probably not happen due to strict import rules.
But regardless if you are importing it to your country check the rules.
Yes it will probably weep oil from many places.
Obviously for that age of vehicle rust will be your biggest concern, again depends where you are buying from. I would only say you need to look at the chassis very well and if it looks like a fresh tart up then maybe further pokeing and tapping is required.
If you look at a few you will soon get a feel for the rust issue and how people will try and cover it up.
If you are handy with spanners and basic electrics then you can easily do any work needed mechanically.
Good luck in your search, If yo find 1 that ticks the boxes post some pics here and advice/opinions will be given.
J
If you are in the US and thinking of importing 1 a Galvanized chassis would probably not happen due to strict import rules.
But regardless if you are importing it to your country check the rules.
Yes it will probably weep oil from many places.
Obviously for that age of vehicle rust will be your biggest concern, again depends where you are buying from. I would only say you need to look at the chassis very well and if it looks like a fresh tart up then maybe further pokeing and tapping is required.
If you look at a few you will soon get a feel for the rust issue and how people will try and cover it up.
If you are handy with spanners and basic electrics then you can easily do any work needed mechanically.
Good luck in your search, If yo find 1 that ticks the boxes post some pics here and advice/opinions will be given.
J
.Thank you so much. Yes I am in North Carolina in the US. Some of the series 3 Landys I see advertised are a bit of a distance away so I’m trying to figure out a good time to go for a visit and a test drive. Once I find a good candidate, I will definitely post some pics and info here. Very much appreciated.
Small world--that is one of the listings that I was looking at. I have corresponded online with the seller and he reports a "few small leaks" and some "minor frame rust". He had it restored at a Land Rover shop in Florida. There is what would appear to be some minor stuff like speedometer not working and no heater (not needed in Florida, but these North Carolina winters can get a little brisk). Thinking about heading down to Florida sometime when I can in order to take it for a test drive. I suspect the seller would probably also be OK if I spoke with the guy who restored it for him. Again, please pardon my ignorance and any advice humbly appreciated.
Morris
If I had paid for that restoration I would have been a bit miffed that they sprayed bedliner after everything was built back up again
Unless the owner did it.But must say from the pics it looks pretty solid and clean.
I have no experience with bedliner as to if it chips and then lets water in behind.
I not sure a series 3 heater would help keep you warm in there anyway, Carhart thermal overalls, thick socks with good boots and gloves would probably give you better bang for buck dont forget an at
.J
saxavordian
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Alternatively you could have a holiday on the Carribbean islands dotted about from Bermuda to Guyana. My guess plenty of series still chuffing being sold. To get a virgin model ex military type from Witham or Blanchard in merry England. As mentioned above Series 3 would have been workhorse. As for a cared one stored in a garage version will be hens teeth and frankly useless bauble. To me a series 3 is to be used, even if bits fall off and looking like a pack of dogs gnawed at the fabric. The beauty of the American jeep after ww2 was it abilities for the population to recover cheaply. Equally like the beetle cheap as the 2CV was. Likewise the Series is old nags tendering the fields with a few dents for character.
