History
Originally finished in Inca Yellow and built in the early 1980s, this Land Rover Series III 109” Stage One V8 is not your average farmhand. One of just a dozen yellow examples originally ordered by the Qatari Royal Family (via SMC Bristol), this is a slice of Land Rover folklore. That royal order was ultimately cancelled, and the left-hand-drive trucks hastily converted to RHD before being sprinkled across the UK, giving this example an intriguing origin story that even the most seasoned collector would raise an eyebrow at. Importantly its delivery specification as confirmed by the Heritage Certificate place is it as LHD delivered Export Market model.
Today, it wears its new skin, a respray in the unmistakable Giallo Modena, a colour more commonly associated with a charging horse than a mud-plugging 4×4, with confidence. Paired with the burbling 3.5-litre naturally aspirated Rover V8 and a proper LT85 five-speed manual ‘box, it’s got the muscle and the moves to match the looks.
The Restoration
Executed approximately 3,000 miles ago, the restoration was done properly, not a “quick coat and pray” job, but a full-fat, preservation-focused rebuild. The original chassis and bulkhead were both repaired and hot-dip galvanised, along with every other bit of steel that could feasibly corrode. Then came the stainless-steel fixings throughout, for that added peace of mind when the weather inevitably turns.
Suspension components were blasted and powder-coated, body panels stripped and resprayed, and the end result is a Land Rover that not only looks tremendous, but has been built to last longer than your average family saloon.
Mechanicals & Features
Mechanically, it’s just where it needs to be. The V8 has been properly recommissioned, with rebuilt carbs and a full service in February 2023 (at 83,826 miles) by Land Rover specialist Steve Toyer. That included fresh fluids, a new water pump, alternator belt, a replacement passenger seatbelt, a headlamp panel, and a wired-in rear fog lamp.
Underneath, it’s all solid and tidy. The side exit exhausts certainly attract teenage enthusiasm, the stainless custom twin-pipe setup truly sing and shout.
It rides on a set of chunky 16-inch Wolf wheels with 33mm spacers wrapped in GT Radials, giving it the kind of purposeful stance that makes other Land Rovers feel slightly underdressed. There’s also a beautifully tan soft-top, fold-flat windscreen, and inside, a no-nonsense setup of three front deluxe vinyl seats and side-facing benches in the rear — versatile, honest, and exactly how it should be.
Other highlights include:
Yellow Hella spotlights
Aluminium gear and diff-lock knobs
Silver powder-coated door tops and matching treadplates
Rebuilt and powder-coated heater
Refreshed dashboard and dials
Full electrical rewire to modern standards
New lighting and seals throughout
Current Condition
In short? It just works. Starts first time, every time, even after sitting idle while the owner’s been away overseas on business. Everything functions as it should: instruments, indicators, lights, wipers, and, well… that’s pretty much all there is. It’s a Land Rover — simplicity is the charm.
MOT dated 21 Feb 2023 shows a pass with a couple of light advisories (oil leak and tyre wear) both since sorted. It’s mechanically sound and structurally strong, with only a few marks to show it’s actually been driven, which is no bad thing.
The full-length tan hood is in perfect nick and comes with all the necessary hoops, ropes, and finger-trapping metal bits to get it snug and secure. A bit of patience (and maybe a broken nail or two), and you’re good to go.
Documentation
It comes with a thick history file, MOTs going back to 2013, a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, and enough invoices to show just how much love, labour, and cash has gone into it.
Better yet, it’s now officially a Historic Vehicle with DVLA, meaning no MOTs, no car tax, and no ULEZ charges. That’s a very welcome hat-trick.
On the Road
If your idea of a good drive involves adaptive cruise control, massage seats and Apple CarPlay, then kindly move along.
This Landy is an old-school, V8-powered, manually shifted, unfiltered driving experience. The steering? Manual. The gearbox? Needs respect. The sound? Glorious. It’s not built for the commuter belt, it’s built to make memories.
It’s also a rolling spectacle. At 30mph, it creates more smiles per gallon than most cars do at triple the speed. You’ll get waved at, photographed, complimented and questioned at every red light. It’s impossible to be anonymous in this thing, and that’s half the point.
Rarity
Stage One V8s are rare enough let alone a restored and sorted one, with this level of corrosion protection and presence. Practically unicorn territory.
Whether you’re parking it up on a concours lawn, rumbling through Central London, or actually using it for the purpose it was designed for, this is a special piece of kit. And no, you won’t see another one.