After many years procrastinating about what to get, S3 109 CSW, soft top, Defender 110 or Discovery I went for a S3 109 FFR. There were lots of reasons some of which included, - having something big to put our bikes in for a bit of mountain biking without worrying about the mess in the back...

Thanks for that Clive. That's an impressive piece of research you've done there.

Went out and had a fiddle with the timing again and retarded another 6-7 deg and seem to have got rid most of the problem. I reckon it was about 12 - 15 deg out. It seems to have been set up for easier starting as the starter sounds a bit like a dog/cat when you accidentally stand on it's tail...

I have to admit that I'm also concerned about the availability and cost of the FFR bits. So I'm probably going to change it anyway.

Hello, I'm looking at replacing the shielded distributor on my recently purchased FFR 109. Which is the better type of distributor, Lucas or Ducelier ? I would like to keep it original but currently it's pinking in 3rd & 4th despite my retarding the ignition. The previous owner has added a new...

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I'll start the blogg soon with photos of the main work to be done. The interior is not as pretty as the outside. Now to find some clubs to join.

When I get stuck into it I'll post in the blog section. The children are quite keen to join in. We'll see how it goes.

I assume it was BAOR, British Army On the Rhine. A lot of army 109s I saw were like this. I spent the first 18 years of my life in an army town in Wiltshire in the 70's & 80's and these were part of the scenery, sometimes literally. I've always liked soft tops & this was one of the attractions...

Some MOD style markings on the rocker cover. Reads "Preserved EC02-1-88S" I assume the engine was inhibited for storage at some point in it's life. The Speedo is in KMH and it is listed as imported. First registration in 2001.

The truck alternator conversion. Front view of her.

Here you go then. Down the beach yesterday.

Thanks for the welcome gents. Yes 24v electrics though the alternator has been replaced with a truck one. A bit smaller and cheaper to replace. She's a bit of a bitsa project. Needs work but is usable. The chassis is good, mostly a bit of surface corrosion, looks like a replacement. The...

Hello, Just got a rag top S3 109. I would like to fit a roll cage to it for various reasons, a proper one not a cosmetic one. Does anyone know of a supplier for such a thing. I have searched via Google etc but they all seem to be for 110s. I have read on some forums that a 110 cage will fit a...

Just saying hello as after many years of umming I actually bought a tatty old Series 3 109 FFR. Looked at some Discovery 2s and serious contemplated a Defender 110 for lugging the family about but went old school in the end as I fancied a simple, cheapish 109 rag top for local stuff family...