New to this - advice please

Hi everyone,

I have just bought a 1974 Series 3 SWB. I live in West Sussex and from the photos it's going to need more than TLC and T Cut! I have joined this to ask for advise and look at other Series 3's that have been restored for some ideas.

I am thinking of painting it metallic dark blue, per the current 90. Is this a crime?

Thanks for listening.

Simon

Hi Simon,

It's your Land Rover, do with it as you like.

Some people like to restore to orignial pristine condition, some people like to chop it about so much it's hard to recognise it is a Series.

So, if you want to paint it metallic blue, go for it.

Welcome to the club

Appriciate that.

I don't want to turn it into a footballers wife's vehicle, maybe change the seats and upgrade to newer technology where appropriate.

I pick it up on Saturday, shall post a few photos for some constuctive comment...

Many thanks

To help, things not to do:
Fit Defender front end
Fit coil sprung suspension (unless you fancy a Q plate)
Fit chequer plate literally to every surface possible (some is fine, just don't go ott)
Lower it to the ground

If you avoid those you'll be fine

Descent seats, a sound system, gps, etc. is all generally acceptable,

series landys are what they are some refer to them as money pits wich in my opinion they can be if you do yer resto half hartedly the more effort and time you put in the longer its gonna be before your back welding outriggers and chassis rails

it doesnt matter what colour you paint yer series as theyre a timeless shape and look good in any shade of colour the new defender metalic dark blue is a nice colour and looks great on a series but im a bit of a cheapskate and will be going for a medium dark flat blue

restoring a series is like watching a child grow you see it become what ever it will be with its own personality and little quirks some youll learn to accept and some youll change ie; colour wheels seats etc the list is pretty much endless

thing is when you get yer first series its like moveing into an old house for the first time it just takes time stamping your mark on the place and moulding it into a fashion you like

just remember where series are concerned you cant please evryone all the time so just make sure your happy first and if you treat yer landy with respect and pride youve basically got a vehicle for life

i look forward to seeing your project on here and :welcome: to series ownership and dont be a stranger were here to help each other with advice and tips if theres something your not sure about just ask we dont bite

The navy landies used to be shiny dark blue and looked really good. Dunno about metallic - would it look any better on old, dented landy bodywork than ordinary paint?

The navy blue is a good idea. Look forward to some pictures.

I remember as a kid there was a dark blue Coastguard SIII with a capstan winch in the front that lived in Mallaig - looked the business

Saw an Ex Navy Landy locally, had, "ROYAL NAVY" on the side in the original lettering, slightly newer but perfectly matching the existing typeface the owner had added "(RETD)" after it!

Paint it whatever colour that floats your boat. It's a personal thing and you are the one that's going to have to look at it every day. I went for mat NATO green just because I like it and don't plan on cleaning it much.

Looking forward to some pics.