Land Rover Series III 4X4 Performance Portfolio 1971-1985

Ł13.95

Even though it has so far been impossible to establish definitive figures for Series III Land Rover production, it is clear that there were more of these models than of any other. Current thinking is that around 440,000 were built between 1971 and 1985, and that figure is likely to be an under-estimate. Strangely, though, this massive sales success was achieved during a bad period for Land Rover. Since 1968, the marque had belonged to the British Leyland combine, and the profits it made during the 1970s were largely diverted to shore up the loss-making Austin-Morris volume cars division. BL's reasoning was crude and short-sighted in the extreme; Land Rovers were selling strongly, so there was no need to invest in new models. After BL's financial collapse led to a rescue operation by the British Government in the mid-1970s, a proper review of the future was finally carried out. This recommended large-scale investment in the Land Rover marque in order to ensure its long-term survival, and from 1978 Land Rover was made a separate operating division within BL and was granted the necessary capital. Even then, it took time for the new models to appear, and the replacements for the Series III range were not ready until 1983 (the long-wheelbase One Ten) and 1984 (the short-wheelbase Ninety) respectively. Meanwhile, putting the V8 engine into the 109-inch chassis in 1979 did make clear that changes were afoot, and the new model was named after the investment scheme which had made it possible: it was called a Stage I V8, after Stage I of the financial investment in Land Rover. Not every world market took the new coil-sprung Land Rovers when they first came out, and so the Series IIIs remained in small-volume production until 1985. In 15 years of production, they created an indelible impression on the 4x4 market, even though they were technically outmoded by the end. Today, while they have their own enthusiasts club, many thousands of them are still in everyday use, and hundreds have been reconditioned overseas for a second lease of life. This is a book of road & comparison tests, off-road reports, long terms tests, driver's reports plus advice on buying a used example. Models covered: 4 & 6-cyl., 2.6 station wagon, SWB, V8, LWB, Diesel, Pick-up, 3/4 ton, 3S Station Wagon & County. 140 pages, 350 illus. SB.
SKU: LR71PP ISBN: 9781855204768