Readers’ Rides: Alex's Bomb-Proof Land Rover 88

When Simon showed us his modified Holden Commodore SS in last week's installment of Readers' Rides, Land Rover owner Alex got in contact because he wanted to show us something 'a bit different'. And fair play to the guy, his ride is just that! Alex, over to you, mate:

When I was 17, I started looking for my first car. Cheaper insurance costs and the allure of getting my hands dirty drew me to classic Triumphs, Minis and Austins, but my parents were against this idea. In the end, we reached a more unusual compromise and in November 2011 I bought myself a 1981 Series 3 Land Rover (SWB).

Now, unlike most of the cars featured on Readers' Rides, this is not a performance car. It's heavy and features a wheezy 2.2-litre n/a diesel engine that struggles to push out 65bhp; if you can hit 60mph, chances are it's because it's on a tow truck. Again...

That said, I wouldn't trade the girl for anything. No PAS, vague steering, no servo assists on the four drum brakes and an engine that is as effective as pedalling means this car is a hell of a lot of fun to drive around the lanes where I live in Devon. 35mph feels like 80mph, meaning you have to strain to keep in your seat.

All terrain tyres and all-round (virtually seized) leaf springs mean the ride is appalling, but who cares? Anyone who's ever slagged it off has just giggled when they've been taken out as a passenger, on road or off...

Sure, it's not comfortable, there isn't really a heater, it leaks like a sieve, and it's hardly reliable, but it's been the source of many memories and laughs. She went all the way to Le Mans for the 2013 race, and apart from leaving puddles of oil all over the French soil, she ran faultlessly. And because she's a rare site on the continent, she was admired more than many of the Fezzas and Astons that attended too.

I took the roof off over the summer, seeing as it was a good 'un, and while we got wet a few times, it was cool as hell for going to the beach with a kayak or two!

So far, I've spent around £2000 on the Landie (more than what I paid for it), including rebuilding the engine, giving it a new clutch and radiator, new front swivels, hubs, bearings and steering linkages and welding on more chassis patches than I care to mention!

There's really not much I want to change on her, but I suspect the 'box will let go at some point. Plus, there's always a bloody oil leak...New springs and rear shocks are needed if I wanted to go and play in the mud properly, but can't justify the cost at the moment, having recently moved away to uni.

Finally, a hint to anyone who wants a Landie of this age, or older: do not buy one unless you are truly devoted to the cause. They are slow, they smell, and they break down regularly. As road going vehicles, they are terrible. That said, buying one was one of the best decisions of my life. It's a hoot to drive, has oodles of charisma and charms just about everyone who's sat in it.

Specifications

Model year: 1981; Wheelbase: 88 inches; Engine: naturally aspirated 2.25-litre; Power: 65bhp (on a good day); 0-62mph: not even Jesus himself knows; Top speed: 71mph (this happened once and only once); Weight: 1.8 tonnes (give or take with the rust...); Gearbox: four-speed with Overdrive, Hi/Low ratio and rear/four-wheel drive; Consumption: 33mpg (est)

If you think we should feature your car on Readers' Rides, email alex.kersten@carthrottle.com with a pic and a few words explaining why you love it so much. If we like it, we'll feature it!