A series III from a Land Downunder
Series III: 109" Flat Bed (AUS) (1975)
Whilst crated in kit form in Land Rover's Solihull factory, this vehicle has the honour of having been assembled in a territory further afield than any other in our collection. In fact, save New Zealand, there could be no location further from Land Rover's Solihull home ... Australia!
'AGU' has an age-related number plate granted by DVLA having given this endearing Series III pickup 'historic vehicle' status. Land Rover have confirmed that the chassis, power train and cab of this vehicle were exported to Australia as a 'Knock Down Kit' in May 1975, despatched for local assembly by the Pressed Metal Corporation (PMC) in Enfield, New South Wales. It was sold under the brand 'Leyland Land Rover' in a traditionally Australian configuration of a Tray-back. That being a pickup where the low three sides could be either dropped vertically (or removed completely) creating a totally uninterrupted flat load bed. The load bed is the optional steel version offered to purchasers.
The mustard colour was a standard colour in its day and one that still looks brilliant in sunshine. We have chosen to leave 'AGU' showing the patina of her 20 years of hard graft in New South Wales. It is powered by a straight 6 petrol 2.625 Ltr engine that still gives a good account of itself after some 80,000 kms covered in its working life. The 'Leyland' brand is clearly badged on the bulkhead identification plate and also above the, more common, 'Land Rover' badge that is mounted above the grill. The black and silver Land Rover oval is no different than that found on other UK models of its day, save that the geographic references to Solihull and the like are omitted.
Little is known of the vehicles working life until it popped up on Ebay Australia some 20 years later in 1996. It was spotted by a well known English Land Rover enthusiast, Bob Ives, (who in 1989, after a 1062 mile gruelling endurance drive, he and his brother became the only two Englishmen ever to have won the coveted Camel Trophy). Within months 'AGU' had been shipped back to the UK and put to work on its proud new owners' Hampshire farm. After some years of light work, in September 2019, 'AGU' joined our collection.
The vehicle was the cover feature story of Classic Land Rover magazine in June 2017 should you wish to read more about its repatriation to the UK.
Part of:
Series III
Working Rovers
The Collection
Vehicle Owner: On loan under the LRHC Exhibit Loan Scheme
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