1980 LAND ROVER LIGHTWEIGHT SERIES III
TASH ELWYN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES, ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, USA
How did you find this project?
I had long wanted to own a classic Land Rover, particularly a Lightweight, but they are quite rare in the US. While living in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I found this one for sale from an Englishman living a few hours away. He had served in the British Army in his younger days and had fond memories of the Lightweights. He imported this one in 1999 and owned it for five years before selling it to me. We’ve since reconnected, become friends, and he’s now the proud owner of another Lightweight.
What’s the story so far?
For the first ten years or so this was my weekend vehicle to transport the kids or go to the beaches of Florida. Life got busy and sadly the Rover sat neglected in my driveway for several years. It even had Cuban tree frogs that made a home under my front seat cushions. I finally decide to do something about it.
Tell us about the engine
It still had the original engine in when I started the project two years ago. It ran well but I wanted more power under the bonnet so I upgraded to a 300Tdi.
What are your plans with it?
My wife was an exchange student in rural South Africa in the 1980s and she loves the natural beauty of the place. Now the goal is to restore this, take a month off and do a trip across South Africa in it. I’ve been twice on holiday and can’t wait to go with my own Rover once it’s ready. What have you done so far?
The list is literally endless. New engine, P38 power steering kit, air conditioning, an Alpine Apple Carplay head unit and a number of Carling switches for the winch, air lockers, ARB dual air compressor for the front and rear ARB air lockers.
We’ve also upgraded to front and rear Defender disc brakes, high-strength axles and Rocky Mountain parabolic springs.
We’ve moved the dual batteries to the rear wheel wells and will cover them with boxes to mimic the under-arch tool box found on Lightweights. It also has full LED headlamps and indicator lamps.
Inside, there are new Exmoor Trim front seats and forward-facing rear seats. Mill Services have provided the sill bars/rock sliders and the new fuel tanks were made by a marine tank builder.
Other significant additions include: new side panel and alpine windows from Masai 4x4, hard top ceiling trim from Lasalle Trim, Warn winch, new rims and Michelin XZL tyres, new door panels from SP Panels, Mudstuff UK rear bulkhead removal bar, stainless steel brake cables, Momo steering wheel, TMD Tuning Slim Boss steering wheel adapter and the correct split tailgate for a Lightweight.
By the way, Nick Blanchard of PA Blanchard has been a great source of some of the hard to find bits I’ve needed.
What are the next jobs you will be doing on it? Still need to add Front Runner Slimline II roof rack, snorkel, CB radio and antenna, and an Alucab Gen3 tent. It also needs a paint job and roll cage.
What’s the hardest part of this project?
If you asked the guys at the shop they’d say it’s figuring out how to keep installing all of the bits I keep purchasing!
When will it be finished?
This is the question I’ve been asked almost daily for the past two years by friends and family! I’ve not been in a rush and the workshop is managing lots of other projects, so we don’t have a deadline.
Who is helping you with the project?
The work is being meticulously done by Realistic Restorations, a fantastic classic car workshop in St Petersburg, Florida, that specialises in classic cars, mostly American. These guys are like Macgyver from the old American TV show – they can do anything you can imagine to a vehicle.
Any other projects on the go?
Don’t tell my wife, but my next project will be a yet-to-be-acquired ambulance, either Series, Defender or Forward Control, that I intend to turn it into a caravan to accompany the Lightweight on the South African expedition. [Maybe you should tell the wife then? She might be happy with the extra level of comfort – Ed].