AT A GLANCE

ENGINE:  2.25L Rover diesel
TRANSMISSION:  Four-speed manual w/ 2-speed 4WD transfer case and factory overdrive
MILEAGE:  30.860 km (19,133 miles) indicated with a full fresh service
EXTERIOR:  Original patinated Light Green bodywork, sand canvas soft top and black wheels
INTERIOR:  Tan nappa leather seat backs and sides, with plaid cloth seating surfaces
PRICE:  $23,500
OPTIONS: 

• Full hand-cut carpeting with sound deadening panels underneath
• USB-C charging ports in dashboard
• Wood steering wheel with polished spokes

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

As usual, the word is “patina,” but also as usual, I’m not sure it entirely applies. This is a very charming, lovely, straight, and well-kept 88 which still has all its original bodywork, and wears a high quality repaint that has aged gently and beautifully. It doesn’t look old and weathered. It looks clean and well kept. Which is exactly what it is.

We purchased it from the son of the original owner, so it has been in the care of a single family since new, and always carefully maintained. Everything works as it should, and when it arrived at our shop we had fun driving it around for a few days, exactly the way it was. But, as usual, we can’t leave anything alone, so we removed trhe hard top and converted it to a new Sand-colored canvas roof and galvanized hoop set. The original skinnies were swapped out for a seat of meatier, deeper offset wheels and 235/85-16 Toyo Open Country M/T tires. We cleaned the chassis and repainted it in a rust-deterring, zinc-based chassis paint. Inside, the “Autology treatment” involved removing all the battered original seats and choosing a tan nappa leather and plaid cloth for reupholstery. The cloth has a very pale green in the pattern that picks up on the bodywork in a subtle way.

It’s a perfect truck for patina-lovers, this one. If you dig the original Land Rover colors, “Light Green” is tough to beat, and with chunkier tires it has an agressive, retro stance. Inside, the interior gives a touch of period-appropriate style and luxury, without going overboard.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

It’s one of the best running and driving Series rigs you’ll find.

Compression is excellent and even across all four cylinders, it starts easily with minimal warming of the glow plugs required, and the 2.25L Rover diesel pulls lustily in every gear. The four-speed manual shifts crisply and the factory overdrive makes it a longer legged cruiser on national highways and more relaxed around town. Steering is very direct with minimal play. Brakes have been revised and haul you down from any attainable speed with no pulling, noise, vibration or drama.

It just went through the rigorous Spanish ITV inspection with flying colors, and has been recently serviced with new fluids, filters and other standard checks. It needs nothing for daily use, and is enormously pleasing to drive.