1983 Land Rover 110 County Station Wagon V8

The launch of the 90 and 110 Land Rover models in 1983 revolutionised the marque in terms of both road handling and off-road ability.

Coil springs coupled with permanent 4-wheel drive and a wider choice of more powerful engines paved the way for what was ultimately to become known as the Defender in 1989. A full-length bonnet, revised grille and wheel-arch extensions were fitted to cover the wider-track axles, but the overall shape remained the same.

Most desirable of the range was the V8 County Station Wagon, featuring 12 seats, the same 3.5 litre engine and gearbox as fitted to the Range Rover. It also had improved interior trim plus the distinctive body stripes. Appealing to the gentleman land owner who perhaps enjoyed shooting parties with a number of friends on board, it offered the space, rugged grace and power to go anywhere.

This unique and bespoke 1983 example was first registered on 01.01.1984 making it one of the earliest built and this is supported by the rare and desirable sliding windows, flush door handles and the ultra-rare seat-box mounted high and low range gear selector lever. Just a handful to this specification are believed to have left the Lode Lane factory and it is possible that this 110 was a pre-production or even a press car.

Subject to a long and painstaking restoration by a revered classic body shop specialist, who had the desire to create one of the finest driving 110 Station Wagons in the world. This unique and stunning example combines originality with performance enhancements. Sitting on a galvanised Richards chassis with a new bulkhead and featuring a new Rover V8 3.5 supplied by Dunsfold Land Rover. The upgrades include an Edelbrock Carb', Mallory electronic ignition, tubular manifolds, "SS' stainless steel exhaust, an enhanced cooling system with twin Kenlowe fans and a high-torque starter motor.

The power and driving experience is very much Range Rover like.

All mechanical parts have been either replaced or fully overhauled. The bodywork is superb and has been painted to an exceptional standard in Rolls-Royce Nutmeg Brown to reflect the restorers desire for perfection with the rare and correct, new old stock "County stripes' applied exactly as when new. The seats have been re-trimmed in the now almost impossible to source and period Land Rover cloth whilst the original headlining has been retained.

Practical enhancements also include LRX mesh grille and remote controlled winch. Chequer plate has been well executed sparingly in areas that are exposed to any potential damage in use. The odometer shows 135,000 miles but approximately only 100 miles have been covered since the restoration.

Recently serviced and MOT'd, the Land Rover is ready to go. The vehicle would lend itself perfectly to towing classic racing or sports cars to events around the UK and Europe or further afield.

Given the uniqueness of this incredible Land Rover with style good enough to grace the finest of paddocks and coupled to the fact that 2015 heralds the final production run of this British icon, it has to be a shrewd investment. There really is no other like it.

Please copy & paste the following link to view this Land Rover as the lead feature story in the August 2015 edition of The Landy magazine:

http://issuu.com/thelandy/docs/the_landy_august_15?e=10752172/13839100