1981 Land Rover Series 3 III 88 2.5 Diesel Restored Mint Pre-Defender

Make: Land Rover
Model: Defender
Type: SUV
Trim: Series 3
Year: 1981
Mileage: 90620
VIN: 00000000000000000
Color: Black
Engine: 2.5
Cylinders: 4
Fuel: Diesel
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: 4WD
Interior color: Gray
Drive side: Right-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clear
Item location: Rocky Mount, North Carolina, United States
Extras
4-Wheel Drive, Leather Seats

Listed by
Private seller
Enquire

Description of 1981 Land Rover Defender Series 3

You are looking at a rare RHD 1981 Land Rover Series 3 88 Pre-Defender W/ 2.5 Naturally Aspirated Diesel that recently broke the timing belt. This vehicle drove exceptionally well (remember these vehicles were not made for comfort but rather to drive down any road / path / hill that it came across). The interior as you can see from the pictures looks very good (Had dash pad, console and seats professionally upholstered) but please remember it is a 37 year old truck. I've owned this vehicle for over 4 years ago and it was my father and I's project to get it slowly restored, she has 90K miles butunfortunately do not have someone to put the engine back in timing (my loss). The truck did great on and off road and cruises 55+ MPH, 4X4 is fully operational and got to really put her to the test on an outer banks trail. Mechanically she was 100%, rust isn't usually an issue with these due to their aluminum body. This truck will need the engineput back together and will be ready to hit the road, i've driven her on the trails and highways and handles exceptionally well; these vehicles are made for off-road use. This is a great price on a series 3 that you can put back the engine together or drop another engine, I have all the parts for reassembling the engine.
Below I have listed to the best of my ability the overall condition of the car. Only serious inquiries, would consider trades depending on what you have, would really like to keep this truck but do not have a good mechanic in thisarea to re-assembly the engine and have recently purchased a BJ40 and can't afford to keep both.
The Good:
Engine - While she was working did not have any issues or leaks, had good power and tons of torque.
Fully functional 4X4: works perfectly High/Low
Rims/Tires: Rims are a flat black color and tires have about 90% thread
Brakes: All brakes work perfectly
Steering: Steering box & Relay were both rebuilt; sways a little but normal for series 3's
Lights: Put in all new lights and added the lighbar that uses the original Land Rover Switch
Interior: Front Seats, dash pad and console professionally upholstered - 1 year ago; door panels very good condition
Top: Have an extra hard top and has the upgraded safari style top
Clutch/Transmission: Shifts exceptionally well
Seals - Purchased all new door, window & hood rubber seals
Paint/Body: Paint is about 18 months old, professionally done by a local shop - Looks and shines very well, very minor dings or dents, color combination is black on flat black
Fender Flares: Same ones found in the defender
Frame: has no to little rust, minor spots
Electrical: All switches, lights and electric devices work as they should
Heat works as well as blower
A/C: Good luck, has the front vents and while driving you get decent airflow
Clean NC Title registered to my name
Extra Parts: Glow Plugs (x2), Injectors (x4), Headlight/Taillights grille covers, Rear Door Tire Mount, Complete extra hard top and a few extra parts
The Not So Good:
The 2.5 Diesel engine is a workhorse with lots of torque and bulletproof but not much HP; she cruises at 50-60 MPH but this is normal for these vehicles and with some minor reassembly can get her back to working order.