Thread: Production dates ...

Russ,

Your question peaked the interest.....the following info was from Wikipedia....not necessarily the most accurate site but close enough.

The Series 3 ended in 1983 and then the replacement was called Land Rover 90, 110 etc. From 1991 the name Defender came into service to clarify it from the new Discovery model.

Having imported a S3 88" back in 1998 which I restored (ish) at the end of my 10 year holiday to UK and Europe, make sure the vehicle has a new chassis. Under 1989 means its at least 22 years old, so with the salt, mud and other crap on the roads, the original is likely to have rusted years ago. Same goes for the bulkhead. The road grim gets in everywhere and eats.

Although the UK is still wallowing from the GFC and car sales in the doldrums, Defenders et al are keeping their values, going by the LR mags. However a 22 yr old + 90 is likely to be cheap as chips, try Auto Trader UK - Used cars for sale for a start. The only engine was the 2.5 turbo diesel, so prime for conversion.

Good luck with the project, but remember there is plenty of choice in Landy homeland.

aew849
2004 130 TD5 DCPU
2007 Disco 3 SE 2.7

formerly1981 S3 88" soft top
1998 110 Tdi wagon
2002 110 xtreme TD5 wagon
2010 90 TDCi

Originally Posted by Russ

G'day all

Curious about production dates for late 80's LR's Specifically Ninety's.

Say a 1989 LR Ninety. When did production actually start for these? Last quarter of 1988? (like most car makers - building the next model the year prior) - or did they only build each year model in that particular year?

I'm considering importing a Ninety from the UK, and I can bring anything in that was manufactured prior to January 1, 1989. Just want to know if I can include early build-date '89 models in my search.

Thanks for your time!



~ Russ

I'm pretty certain the Landrover model year in that period started after the summer break - in other words, about August/September manufacture, probably hitting the dealers about September/October. The Australian authorities will need the actual manufacture date however (which would be on a compliance plate if made in Australia) so you will need to find a correlation between the VIN and the date.

John

Originally Posted by aew849

Russ,

Your question peaked the interest.....the following info was from Wikipedia....not necessarily the most accurate site but close enough.

The Series 3 ended in 1983 and then the replacement was called Land Rover 90, 110 etc. From 1991 the name Defender came into service to clarify it from the new Discovery model.

Having imported a S3 88" back in 1998 which I restored (ish) at the end of my 10 year holiday to UK and Europe, make sure the vehicle has a new chassis. Under 1989 means its at least 22 years old, so with the salt, mud and other crap on the roads, the original is likely to have rusted years ago. Same goes for the bulkhead. The road grim gets in everywhere and eats.

Although the UK is still wallowing from the GFC and car sales in the doldrums, Defenders et al are keeping their values, going by the LR mags. However a 22 yr old + 90 is likely to be cheap as chips, try Auto Trader UK - Used cars for sale for a start. The only engine was the 2.5 turbo diesel, so prime for conversion.

Good luck with the project, but remember there is plenty of choice in Landy homeland.

aew849
2004 130 TD5 DCPU
2007 Disco 3 SE 2.7

formerly1981 S3 88" soft top
1998 110 Tdi wagon
2002 110 xtreme TD5 wagon
2010 90 TDCi

With the pre-89 law now being enthusiastically enforced - if a car has been rebuilt, it needs to have been rebuilt to factory specs. If I was to buy an '88 Ninety that had an engine swap with a motor that wasn't available that year (say a 300tdi) - the Aus Govt. will consider the vehicles manufacture date as the date the modification was carried out.

So I really need to make sure I found one that is either original, or at least rebuilt to original specs. Once I have it here, complied, registered & on the road - then I can look into upgrades. If something like the chassis needs replacing/repairing - it's something I'd prefer to have done here after it's imported. Don't want to take any chanced with it being knocked back.


You're right on the prices too - I've been checking the UK Auto Trader site for the last couple days. The nicer, well kept and in excellent condition '88 & '89 Ninety's are only about £5000 (under $8000 AUD). Once shipped, taxes etc - I can theoretically have it here and on the road, complied & registered, for under $15,000. About the price (give or take) I'd pay for the equivelent here - except they rarely come up here, and in the UK there's 547106 of 'em for sale right now.


I like what is available here, but I'm unfortunately one of those silly buggers that has his heart set on the smaller Ninety/D90 body. I love the 110's but I'm single with no kids - it's just over-kill for my needs.

I'd love a locally released TD5 D90, but they're way out of my price range.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I'm pretty certain the Landrover model year in that period started after the summer break - in other words, about August/September manufacture, probably hitting the dealers about September/October. The Australian authorities will need the actual manufacture date however (which would be on a compliance plate if made in Australia) so you will need to find a correlation between the VIN and the date.

John

I was fairly certain it would have been done that way - same with most other car manufacturers. Just wanted to be sure. Thanks for the info!