Land Rover Series 3 - Is it the best of the Classic Series Land Rovers???

[@TimFoster]

Nice summary! There are better door hinges on a Series 3 vs. certainly a Series 2 or 2A. I've never driven a Series 1 to know how well those doors work (perhaps they're much lighter, so can get away with the gate-style hinges?) You also get insect screens on the vent-flaps as standard as far as I know, where they were optional on a Series 2, and different vent--controls. The heating system was way better on a Series 3 vs. Series 2 - an engine-side heat-transfer unit rather than the Smiths (or replacement Clayton Classics) "ankle-burner" unit which takes up space in the passenger compartment. The Series 3 also had narrower sills than a Series 2/2A, which seemed like a worthy change. Having replaced the bulkhead on my my weird 1961 / 200TDI Franken-Land-Rover a few years ago, switching it from a Series 3 bulkhead back to a (correct for the year of the chassis) Series 2A bulkhead, there was a lot more work involved to get it closer to "period correct" than I expected, but we live and learn. With the engine-swap it'll never be a museum piece, but that;s ok with me.

[@restosaga]

All good details I had missed, nice one! Your Landy sounds great!

[@yrooxrksvi7142]

My dad owns a 1983 Series 3 88 Soft Top, owned it for 30 years. He wouldn't change it for anything else.

[@restosaga]

Brilliant! I’ve always wanted to try a canvas roof on my own 👍🏻

[@malcolmfox5463]

I prefer the synchro gearbox and the brakes are actually quite good for a series Land Rover with the 11inch front drums and servo assistance, also later ones have fog lights and or reverse lights, seat belts and a padded dash top and knee roll, dual circuit brakes and brake pressure loss warning light. All in all an improvement on earlier models and cheaper to purchase as they are still relatively common.Cheers.

[@restosaga]

All very good points and none I disagree with! Earlier Series may, arguably, have more character but this is subjective. Thanks for watching!

[@joshomeinspirations7738]

Great video!

[@restosaga]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!!!

[@johnphillips519]

Nah series 3 is the best hands down, And i mean that across the whole range including defenders with more electronics.....(More problems to go wrong) that are not as easily fixed on the road.

[@restosaga]

100% agree with this!

[@DeanRatcliffe]

Series 2a was a better vehicle

[@restosaga]

I’m not wishing to argue, just curious as to why you think so? Stronger gearbox? Not Leyland? 😂

[@DeanRatcliffe]

Hi, I've had series 2, 2a 3 and 90 turbo diesels. I loved my series 3 109 station wagon, but for me the 2a wins every time. The later 2a, post 1968 I think had the headlights in the wings, wire grill, all steel dash, speedo in the centre of the dash, stronger chassis, and stronger gearbox, just have to learn to double declutch. However if someone was giving a series 3 away I wouldn't say no. Personally, for all their idiosyncrasies, I think the series landrover has much more character than later models, and we're designed with a purpose in mind, to do a job, and could be fixed in the field. And let's remember the landrovers origins, the Willis jeep. 🙂

[@restosaga]

@DeanRatcliffe Nice one, thanks for a sharing a well informed opinion! Hard to beat any Series Landy really 👍🏻

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

Wharra wharra... Why did you post this video, bro... Rather watch the guys before you, who knows a Landy... 🤔🤔🤔🇿🇦

[@restosaga]

It’s a conversation starter. And having rebuild this Land Rover twice, I feel safe saying I know my Land Rover. Thanks for watching!