1976 Land Rover 88 Series III
£19,950
- Make
- Land Rover
- Model
- Rover 88 Series III
- Year
- 1976
- Mileage
- 22,000 mi
- Engine
- 3
Overview
Exceptional 1976 Land Rover Series III SWB with just 22,000 miles—a genuinely original example rarely encountered. Supplied new by Holloway Barker in Worcester, it remained within one family for over 40 years before sympathetic refreshment in 2020/21. The solid chassis reflects minimal off-road use, original paintwork displays honest patina, and the removable hardtop with aluminium panels offers flexible open-air capability. Mechanically sound and recently recommissioned with new tyres, battery and service items. Clean, unmodified interior with period Radiomobile radio. Jersey-registered; international shipping available.
From the Dealer
- •Exceptionally low mileage (22,000 miles) with 50 years of single-family ownership
- •Original paint and unmolested condition; subject of Classic Land Rover Owner magazine feature
- •Removable hardtop with aluminium panels and full-height rear door for open-air use
- •Solid chassis—minimal off-road history with no restoration work beyond cleaning
- •Recently refreshed (2020/21) with new tyres, battery and service items; mechanically sound
About the Land Rover Rover 88 Series III
▶
The Land Rover Series III was the final evolution of the original Series line, continuing the utilitarian design philosophy established in 1948. Produced from 1971 to 1985, it represented a refinement of proven mechanics rather than radical innovation. The 88 designation refers to the wheelbase length in inches, positioning it as the mid-sized option between the Series III 109 and smaller variants. It appeals primarily to agricultural workers, small business operators, and adventure enthusiasts who value simplicity, repairability, and go-anywhere capability over comfort or refinement. The Series III modernised earlier versions with improved engines, better electrics, and modest creature comforts, yet retained the characteristic spartan interior and honest engineering that defined the marque.
Pros
- +Extremely simple mechanics, easy to maintain and repair
- +Genuine off-road capability with high ground clearance
- +Durable steel construction, many examples still working
- +Strong parts availability, vibrant enthusiast community
- +Affordable to purchase and run compared to contemporaries
Watch out for
- −Uncomfortable and noisy on long journeys
- −Rust-prone bodywork without proper care and maintenance
- −Poor fuel economy by any standard
- −Minimal safety features by modern expectations
Common issues
- !Structural rust, particularly around sills and floor panels
- !Engine gasket leaks and coolant system corrosion
- !Electrical gremlins from aging wiring harnesses
▶See full dealer details
Overview **Overall Comments** With its very low mileage, this Land Rover is unusual in being in very original condition – and it would be difficult to find a similar unmolested example. Given the Series III’s long-term ownership within the same family and its originality, it was the subject of a feature in a Classic Land Rover Owner magazine article a few years ago. The car is currently Jersey registered and we can assist with (international) shipping and importation processes if required. **Body** The bodywork has not been the subject to any restoration work beyond thorough cleaning and still wears what looks like its original paint, so does bear the honest patination of 50 years. The steel wheels have been refinished. Having not been subject to years of off-road use, the chassis is solid. As the pictures show, the Land Rover has a fitted hardtop (in very good condition) comprising aluminum side panels and roof together with a full height rear door, all of which can all be unbolted and removed to provide fully open-air transport. **Mechanical** All original and simply returned to a roadworthy condition after its long period in storage – which included the obvious replacement of all tyres, battery, service items etc. The Land Rover is running and driving well. **Interior** Very clean and original, the interior has full-width front seating - with seatbelts for 2. There is no rear seating fitted. The dashboard boasts a period Radiomobile unit. Asking Price £ 19,950 History The Land Rover was introduced in 1948 by the Rover car company as a utilitarian vehicle which could be widely exported and sold abroad to earn vital foreign currency for the UK in the difficult period following the Second World War. Taking inspiration from the WW2 Willys Jeep, it used a steel box-section chassis and aluminium alloy body panels (in response to the post-war metal shortage) and could be said to be the first mass-produced civilian four-wheel drive vehicle with doors, providing the ability to cover rough terrain under all conditions. The first iteration evolved over time, through Series I, II, and III variants, production ending in 1985 when superseded by the Land Rover Ninety & One Ten and later Defender models. This SWB Series III vehicle was supplied new by the Holloway Barker dealership in Worcester in October 1976. It changed hands in 1980 but was only in use for a few years before being stored, with around 22,000 miles recorded. It remained in the same family ownership for over 40 years however and was sympathetically refreshed in 2020/21, retaining the original appearance. In 2022, the car was purchased by a Jersey owner, imported and re-registered in the island, where it has subsequently only covered very limited additional mileage. Given this limited use, the owner has decided the Land Rover should have a new home.
