Mudhound · Jan 26, 2021

Hi, totally new here and after some friendly advice. I am looking at a series 3 109 with a V8, from what I can find out it is possibly a stage 1 (looks a bit like a Defender front end). My question is, are they a good vehicle and are they collectible or should I avoid? Apologies if this is a dumb question TIA

Turboman · Jan 26, 2021

Mudhound said:
Hi, totally new here and after some friendly advice. I am looking at a series 3 109 with a V8, from what I can find out it is possibly a stage 1 (looks a bit like a Defender front end). My question is, are they a good vehicle and are they collectible or should I avoid? Apologies if this is a dumb question TIA

They are probably as good as any other Series 3, and the V8 engine is probably better than the standard Series 3 engines.

And I don't think many of those were made, so if it is a factory vehicle, rare and collectable.

Mudhound · Jan 26, 2021

Turboman said:
They are probably as good as any other Series 3, and the V8 engine is probably better than the standard Series 3 engines.

And I don't think many of those were made, so if it is a factory vehicle, rare and collectable.

Thank you for the info, really helpful. Assume if I get the chassis number I should be able to track down if it is genuine.

Turboman · Jan 26, 2021

Mudhound said:
Thank you for the info, really helpful. Assume if I get the chassis number I should be able to track down if it is genuine.

I think so, numbers and specs should be available on the net.

I have read about those somewhere, can't remember where at the moment.
But from memory, some were made right at the end of Series 3 production, before One Tens and Nineties came in.
I think they were a kind of development stage towards the coil spring models, and had the forward grille panel that was going to be used on the new models, make a bit more room for the V8 engine.

Mudhound · Jan 26, 2021

Turboman said:
I think so, numbers and specs should be available on the net.

I have read about those somewhere, can't remember where at the moment.
But from memory, some were made right at the end of Series 3 production, before One Tens and Nineties came in.
I think they were a kind of development stage towards the coil spring models, and had the forward grille panel that was going to be used on the new models, make a bit more room for the V8 engine.

Thanks, I shall do some more digging

tottot · Jan 26, 2021

Stage one V8 1979--- 83. RHD chassis number should be LBCAV1AA000001 or if station waggon LBCMV1AA000001
Will have same gearbox as range rover of the time with a centre diff.[ so is permanent 4wd ] The other main difference to any other series is the front axle which has CV's. These are not of the same type as later 90/110.

Mudhound · Jan 27, 2021

tottot said:
Stage one V8 1979--- 83. RHD chassis number should be LBCAV1AA000001 or if station waggon LBCMV1AA000001
Will have same gearbox as range rover of the time with a centre diff.[ so is permanent 4wd ] The other main difference to any other series is the front axle which has CV's. These are not of the same type as later 90/110.

Those numbers are interesting and I think they point to it not being a Stage 1. Managed to get the frame number and it starts with 9110xxxxC. It also appears to be a Military FFR model which I don’t think rings true either. Production year is 1975, the more I am typing here the more I think it has been modified. Thanks for your knowledge. Either way I want an old Landy that I can tinker with and this might work if I can ever get out for a test drive (Lockdown blues!).

Colthebrummie · Jan 27, 2021

I've seen a small number of landies like this on eBay and all of them were not what the seller said. If you like the look of the vehicle and fancy it, then go ahead but watch out for a mass of botches. Personally, I wouldn't buy a series 3 that was disguised as a 90 or 110. If that was a look I liked, I'd buy a proper 90 or 110

Col

Mudhound · Jan 27, 2021

Thanks Col, that has got me nervous and thinking. I like the older series 3 and this one is an ex FFR but with a v8 which I like the idea of for extra power on the road and for towing. My budget is £6k so I am not really going to get in to a 90 or 110. I also want something that I can chuck stuff in the back of and not worry about scratching the bed. So I guess I am looking for a workhorse with character and easy for me to work on, maybe my budget is too low.

Turboman · Jan 27, 2021

Mudhound said:
Those numbers are interesting and I think they point to it not being a Stage 1. Managed to get the frame number and it starts with 9110xxxxC. It also appears to be a Military FFR model which I don’t think rings true either. Production year is 1975, the more I am typing here the more I think it has been modified. Thanks for your knowledge. Either way I want an old Landy that I can tinker with and this might work if I can ever get out for a test drive (Lockdown blues!).

With that sort of vehicle, it is fairly easy to assemble something from parts of various old vehicles.

Charitably known as "hybrids", more realistically known as "Bitzas", or even "Ringers".

Proceed with caution.

Colthebrummie · Jan 27, 2021

Mudhound said:
Thanks Col, that has got me nervous and thinking. I like the older series 3 and this one is an ex FFR but with a v8 which I like the idea of for extra power on the road and for towing. My budget is £6k so I am not really going to get in to a 90 or 110. I also want something that I can chuck stuff in the back of and not worry about scratching the bed. So I guess I am looking for a workhorse with character and easy for me to work on, maybe my budget is too low.

I get what you saying about the V8, if I ever needed to change my engine, I'd be looking for a V8 but I'd get a professional to fit it. Although, because I value originality, I'd probably get the old engine refurbished.

Col

Turboman · Jan 27, 2021

Mudhound said:
Thanks Col, that has got me nervous and thinking. I like the older series 3 and this one is an ex FFR but with a v8 which I like the idea of for extra power on the road and for towing. My budget is £6k so I am not really going to get in to a 90 or 110. I also want something that I can chuck stuff in the back of and not worry about scratching the bed. So I guess I am looking for a workhorse with character and easy for me to work on, maybe my budget is too low.

You would get a Ninety or One Ten, or maybe an early Defender, for 6k.
But I think you would be better off with a Series.

Shippers · Jan 27, 2021

Mudhound said:
Those numbers are interesting and I think they point to it not being a Stage 1. Managed to get the frame number and it starts with 9110xxxxC. It also appears to be a Military FFR model which I don’t think rings true either. Production year is 1975, the more I am typing here the more I think it has been modified. Thanks for your knowledge. Either way I want an old Landy that I can tinker with and this might work if I can ever get out for a test drive (Lockdown blues!).

911....indicates a S3 109 petrol...

Mudhound · Jan 27, 2021

Blimey, you guys have a wealth of knowledge. So glad I reached out and I am definitely going to give it a wide berth. Thank you once again for all your advice. Rest assured I will have more dumb questions in the near future

Shippers · Jan 27, 2021

Mudhound said:
Blimey, you guys have a wealth of knowledge. So glad I reached out and I am definitely going to give it a wide berth. Thank you once again for all your advice. Rest assured I will have more dumb questions in the near future

For future ref... Google Glencoyne for chassis number id...Rob...

Mudhound · Feb 5, 2021

Just thought I would let you know that I have just picked up a 90 (86) with a 200tdi and a 2” lift. So glad I listened to you all and was patient. Now the work starts MOT’d but needs tidying and the crunch coming down the box to 2nd sorting out. Just what I was after. Thanks again

Blackburn · Feb 6, 2021

Gearbox may be early none synchro version have you tried double de clutching.?

Colthebrummie · Feb 6, 2021

When I got mine, I used to get the odd crunch changing down but it was just a matter of timing. I was used to modern boxes. Getting the road speed matched with engine speed and then changing slowly made all the difference. Good luck with your 90 and remember there is as much fun in fixing them as there is in driving them, or at least, that's what I keep telling myself.

Col

Mudhound · Feb 6, 2021

Blackburn said:
Gearbox may be early none synchro version have you tried double de clutching.?

Picking it up at 1100hrs this morning so was going to try double de clutching on the way back to see if that works. Will drop an update on here if I ever decide to park up and get out of it, I am like a kid in a sweet shop

TC

Colthebrummie · Feb 6, 2021

Mudhound said:
Picking it up at 1100hrs this morning so was going to try double de clutching on the way back to see if that works. Will drop an update on here if I ever decide to park up and get out of it, I am like a kid in a sweet shop

TC

That's how I felt when I bought my series.....then I drove it. I felt like a cripple in an army assault course after that.

Col

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