The Early 1970s will be remembered by Rover because of the launch of the
Range Rover.
However, this time was also the period in which the Series 3 was introduced. It differed very little from the Series IIA. Differences included: It was almost impossible to tell at a glance the difference between the Series 3 and the Series IIA which had lights in the wings.
In the year 1970-71 record production levels were achieved with 56,663 units sold. However all was not well for the Rover Group due to many management changes and company mergers leading to the formation of British Leyland.
The oil crises of the early 1970s led to serious financial difficulties at British Leyland
Despite this Land-Rover were making significant profits. Unfortunately much of this money was being used to finance the rest of British Leyland. Capital was very short and Land-Rover had to pull out of America to save money. In 1976 the 1,000,000th Land-Rover was built. There was still a waiting list for cars and people were becoming impatient of waiting and switching to alternative "Off-Roaders". In the Words of Lindsay Porter, a leading authority on Land Rovers:
"It is Ironic that the very success of
Land-Rover (and failure to take advantage of such success) was what led to it's steadily diminishing market share over the next few years)"
By 1978 Land-Rovers share of the home (British) 4x4 market was 50% (Down from 98%) and in the world, 15%. The Series III was not developed seriously until 1978 where the two-stage development of Land-Rover
started.
The Series 3 Land-Rover (1971-1985)
Short Wheelbase sizes:
88" : 1971-84
Long Wheelbase sizes:
109" : 1971-83 (Until '85 for back-orders)
Engines (Petrol) :
2286cc ( Change from 3 to 5 main bearings during production) : 1971-85
3528cc V8 (Ex-Buick engine - Used in Range Rover - only for Stage 1 Series 3) : 1978-85
Engines (Diesel) :
2286cc (Change from 3 to 5 main bearings during production) : 1971-85)
The Series 3, and dark times for Rover
Better Brakes
Flatter door hinges
Better Clutch
A new plastic grill( Rumors had it that the Army complained because they no longer had a metal grill to take off and fry their dinner on)
(From left to right): The first Diesel SWB Series 3 ; A pristine Series 3 long Wheelbase ; A decaying Series 2 that looks like a Series 3 (You can see where the lights would have gone behind the plastic grill)