1976 SERIES III
FERGUS MEEHAN, PROCUREMENT CATEGORY MANAGER, WEST LONDON
Tell us about your Series III
I first spotted it parked up in a local driveway. It had a tree growing through the bumper. I watched it longingly for 18 months until my fiancée persuaded me to knock on the owner’s door to ask if he was interested in selling it. Lucky for me he was. I found out that it had been parked up for 17 years. After a bit of research and checking out the chassis, bulkhead and engine all matched I bought it. I had very little mechanical experience but armed with a Haynes manual and Youtube I started spending evenings and weekends tinkering away on it.
Is the engine sound?
When I fired it up it ran surprisingly well but it was a little on the rich side. I have no intention of replacing the original 2.25 petrol engine and I’m confident I will eventually get it running right.
What are your plans with it?
My plans are to get her running and driving well while trying to keep as much of the parts, interior and exterior as original as possible. I want to use her as my weekend runaround or on the odd commute run on a nice day, and perhaps do a spot of greenlaning, too.
What have you done so far?
I started by replacing the old stale petrol in the tank and installed an inline fuel filter. I then replaced the distributor head and some of the key distributor components, spark plugs, leads and ignition coil. I replaced the battery and fitted two new earth straps, in addition to refurbishing the starter solenoid.
After getting it started I cleaned out the original Zenith carburettor and replaced the O-rings and gaskets. I then began replacing the brake and clutch master cylinder and clutch slave cylinder, along with the necessary flex and pipework before moving on to the entire brake system, including brake lines, unions, calipers and shoes. I’m now working on some of the more cosmetic items needed to pass the MOT, such as securing the battery and replacing a couple of broken side lights, windscreen wipers and tyres.
What next?
The aim is to get it Mot-ready. I need to replace the rusty old petrol tank and the rear shock absorbers, and do some welding on the chassis and bulkhead as well.
Toughest part of the project?
Working in such a confined space for the first few months was tough as I was unable to move the Land Rover away from the wall it had been nestled up against for almost two decades. I’ve learnt lots of new skills such as pipe flaring, which has tested my patience!
When will it be finished?
I’m hoping to have it on the road in time for spring or summer this year.
Who is helping you with the project?
As I have had to do a lot of the work on the roadside, I’ve had help from everyone including random strangers, inquisitive neighbours, and the kind man who sold me the Land Rover, my dad, some local mechanics, the Internet and my Instagram followers.
Tell us about some of the other Land Rovers you have owned?
I’ve always had an interest in Land Rovers since I learnt to drive in a 1997 Defender 90. My dad owned a 1988 Series III for a few years, which I used to tinker around with, but this is my first real Land Rover project and hopefully not the last.
Can we follow your progress?
Feel free to follow my restoration story on Instagram by following @ the_london_landy_man.