Why The Land Rover Series III Remains Britain’s Ultimate 4×4

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The following are excerpts from a piece by Calum Brown. There’s no shortage of articles about Land Rovers but I don’t see that many specifically about the Series III.

It doesn’t handle. It’s drafty, unrefined and the heater remains largely aspirational. It’s as basic as a monk’s bedchamber, with a 0-60 mph sprint you can register on a sun dial. […] The interior resembles a rugged cliff face, yet with fewer features. The powerplant isn’t a V8 or even a six-pot; this crude motor pumps out a mere 72bhp via four cylinders. […] In-town driving requires courage and steely determination. Without venturing into the realms of pre-war machinery, this is about as raw as it gets.

On paper, the Land Rover Series III makes little sense. Yet, as an experience and automotive icon, nothing comes close; the undiluted spirit of adventure oozing from the panel gaps is second to none. Taking a Series III 88 in on the shortest of jaunts leaves you feeling like Indiana Jones.

The Land Rover rapidly works through all four forward gears before the wobbly speedometer breaches 20mph. In order to remain in a (relatively) straight line, I find myself swinging the steering wheel from side to side, hand to hand as I sway across my side of the road.

Each gear change takes genuine consideration, as finding the sweet spot within the patchy synchromesh remains the work of a mathematical genius. Attempting a fast corner is frankly terrifying, while relying solely on the slack-jawed handbrake when parking on a steep slope requires bravery; it just seems safer to employ the gearbox as well.

However, gaining cheap access to the classic Land Rover world won’t last forever. Within the past 12 months, asking prices have risen dramatically – not least since David Beckham purchased one for his son for £35,000. As 2018 sees Land Rover celebrate 70 years, we would bet that collectors will soon have their sights firmly set on the once-overlooked Series III.

New window glass for the truck

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I replaced three panes of broken window glass on the Land Rover today. Regular readers will recall the hardtop got tossed around by last week’s tornado. Banged up the safari top; some scrapes and dings; and the shattered glass. The replacement glass cost about a hundred bucks so I really go off lucky. Oh, and I had to order a new window for the driver-side door. That should be here Tuesday.

You can’t be around Land Rover folks long without hearing them compared to an Erector Set. I was more of a Tinker Toy and Lincoln Log kid but the comparison is apt. The body of a Series III Land Rover is held together with some nuts and bolts and screws. I’d be very surprised if any civilians replace the glass in today’s vehicles.

1,000 Days

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I started keeping track of consecutive days on the (meditation) cushion on December 4, 2014. As of today, May 31, 2019, I’ve missed just two of the last 1,638 days. Today is the 1,000th consecutive day on the cushion. The only day that really counts, of course, is today. But I’ve found that logging my meditation practice helps me be consistent, something I do every day. And I can’t think of anything else I’ve done every day for 1,000 days.

I look forward to my daily meditation. I average 45 minutes a day but time really seems to stand still. One of my favorite things about the practice.

Fresh coat of stain for the house

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Bob is smiling because he spent the last month putting a fresh coat of stain on our house and he’s working on the invoice. Bob does really nice work but he’s not cheap (who wants a cheap paint job?!). I highly recommend him.

Old cars and trucks

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Once a month during the summer, people bring their vintage cars and trucks to the local mall for a sort of mini rally. Very little organization but I consider that a feature. People sitting around in lawn chairs, strolling up and down, peering into engine compartments. Didn’t see any other Land Rovers but didn’t really expect to.

Tornado hits Jefferson City

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I grew up in “Tornado Alley” (southeast Missouri) and saw lots of them. But you don’t see them in hilly river towns like Jefferson City, Missouri. Until you do. A three square mile section of JC got hammered last night, including my friend George Tergin. Don’t have a lot of info but it sounds like it destroyed his shop and his storage units.

One of which contained the hardtop for my Land Rover. Looks like it might be scuffed up and a little bent but it’s still there. Stay tuned.

UPDATE (5/23/19): George Kopp and I visited what was once 54 Store More this afternoon. Won’t try to describe it. The hardtop to my truck was balanced precariously on a table at the back of the unit. Were it to topple off it would surely have done more damage so we eased it down to the floor and will complete the rescue when we’re allowed back in. 
Thanks to the ginormus bed on my pickup, I think we’ll be able to use that to transport to a body shop. Got a feeling those guys will be busy for a while but I’ve got all summer to get her fixed.

UPDATE (5/24/19): The hardtop has been rescued. Andrew and George did the heavy lifting but we got it in the pickup and safely home. Have the summer to make repairs.