Were all the GAME's the same spec?

[sjd70]

Hi all,

I have taken an interest in series SWB models at the moment and have struck some confusion regarding the specification of the series 3 game models.

The main concern is that seemingly authentic cars have different specifications.

Did LRA (or whomever put these together) produce them with one spec or many?

During my internet research I have found a list of possible specs and options. Different cars seem to have different combinations.

Here is what I have found:

Possibly produced from 78-? Although some with reference to 1975

Fairey overdrive
Rear step
Rear side opening door
Silver vent area at front and silver join down the sides and down past rear indicators.
Black coloured radiator and headlight surround.
10 spoke sunraisier (sp) type wheels.
wheel arch extensions.
game sticker at bottom of front guard.
tropical roof.
early ARB ? bull bar.
black "up spec" front seating.
GAME marked Australian compliance plate.
Rear seats. But seemingly not registrable to seat more than 3

Sliding rear side windows.
Dished bonnet (to suit spare wheel?)
Rear bumperettes.
Rear spare wheel carrier.
Front guard mounted mirrors.
Yellow paint (rumored to be NSW line making paint ??)



Some of these are a little strange (like the dished bonnet for a spare) then other vehicles (represented as original) have a rear door mounted spare and then others with a swing away hanger for the spare.


Does a knowledgeable reader have any further information on the definitive original spec or specs on the GAME edition series 3 SWB wagons?


Sorry for the long post, someone please put me out of my misery. (confusion)


Sean

[Killer]

Mine has all of the above, except...

Pretty sure Game does not appear on compliance plate, will check though. There is a build number on the plate in front of the gear levers though.
No rear seats, well not originally anyway, I believe the prototype had rear seats.
Mine has the deluxe rounded bonnet, no provision for spare wheel.
Spare wheel mounted on the rear door as in the station wagons.
Yellow paint is "Yellow Devil" by Dulon. I don't think NSW Main Roads would have used that as line marking paint.
Different Games had different Sunraysia wheels, some had a centre plate that was dished with holes cut to form the spokes (mine) others the spokes are cut out of the centre plate and the spokes are welded direct to the rim.
Some had tropical roofs, some didn't.
Also had black door linings and beige roof lining.

I hope this helps, I suspect Leyland Australia used whatever they could find at the time.

Cheers, Mick.

[sjd70]

Thanks Mike for that prompt feedback.

On the compliance plate question I have seem one with the word "game" in the model info above the chassis/vehicle number at the bottom of the plate. I was hoping that might prove authenticity. Good to hear about a number placard in front of the gear stick!

Could you please post some pics of your game if you have some handy?

All things being the same how much (if any) of a price premium would you pay for an authentic game?

Are there any more game owners/experts out there?

Thanks

Sean

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Yellow paint (rumored to be NSW line making paint ??)

No not NSW line marking paint, there was one Land Rover that was actually painted with NSW line marking paint, and that was done in about 1978 by a private individual who worked for the DMR Line marking and a member of the LROC. The colour was somewhat similar to Camino Gold although a little more towards the Keens mustard end. When you got close to the car the paint had a slight rubbery texture and you could see the tiny sparkles because of the reflective additive in the paint.

[dandlandyman]

There's a GAME that lives out here at Coolalinga (Darwin), but unfortunately it's been chopped about very badly and is now more Cruiser than Rover.:(:(

Dan.
69 2A 88"pet4, 68 2B FC pet6.

[Killer]

Thanks Mike for that prompt feedback.

On the compliance plate question I have seem one with the word "game" in the model info above the chassis/vehicle number at the bottom of the plate. I was hoping that might prove authenticity. Good to hear about a number placard in front of the gear stick!

Could you please post some pics of your game if you have some handy?

All things being the same how much (if any) of a price premium would you pay for an authentic game?

Are there any more game owners/experts out there?

Thanks

Sean

Sean, you are correct about the compliance plate, I checked mine tonight, it does say Land Rover Game on it. I guess that would be as good proof of authenticity as you would find.
I have some photos I will try and post.
I am not sure on values, it mainly depends on what you're willing to pay and what the seller is willing to take. I do know of one in Victoria that is insured for $20,000. It is in very good nick, is low mileage and has interesting history. There is one for sale here in the markets for $6,000 I think.

Cheers, Mick.

[Killer]

Some had tropical roofs, some didn't.


I have found a copy of a spec. sheet that I will try to post also, in this it states that the Tropical Roof was an option, as was the Fairey Overdrive and Free Wheeling Hubs.

Cheers, Mick.

[sjd70]

Thanks for all the responses.

I was originally thinking the GAME edition would have been a one spec product seeing it was a "special."

Perhaps a bit like the modern run out value packs the manufacturers put out today.

Obviously there was still a degree of individual buyer speccing (is that a word?) or optioning up on these models.

I would still be interested in some good pics of various original vehicles if anyone has any.

Sean

[Killer]

Spec sheet as promised, sorry about the orientation, I wasn't able to revolve them. Still working on some photos.

Cheers mick

[Killer]

Pics...https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/993.jpg

[Killer]

More...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/992.jpg

[Killer]

And another...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/991.jpg

[sjd70]

Thanks for those great pics. Very informative. I have seen a couple or vehicles recently that were authentic GAMES but not that original. The pics certainly help.

Have a look at the little wrap around parts on/near the rear bumperettes. I have not seen these on other shorties. Are these another GAME feature?

Sean

[scarry]

This is probably not of much interest,but there was a lady that worked at a landscaping place near Waterford that had a genuine game in pretty good original nick.This was a few years ago.
I wonder if she is on here?

[Killer]

Thanks for those great pics. Very informative. I have seen a couple or vehicles recently that were authentic GAMES but not that original. The pics certainly help.

Have a look at the little wrap around parts on/near the rear bumperettes. I have not seen these on other shorties. Are these another GAME feature?

Sean

I believe so, but I could be wrong. They were probably fitted to allow room for the length of Aussie number plates.

Cheers, Mick.

[Lakey]

Guy's thought the attached Overlander mag article may be of interest also. Nice cars by the way. I'm way jealous!:(

Lakey

[hodgoes2001]

Hi all. i have a series 3 GAME myself. i will have 2 post some pics up. sadly mine isn't in as good condition as your's killer. but i only paided $2200 for it like 3 years ago.

[Panda]

They are superb ... would love one ... :)

[Panda]

I'm impressed Cooper! :D:)


I was selling these things in the seventies and they were supposed to be all the same spec,but,at that time some strange goings on were happening at Leyland:oSo some vehicles came through with or without add-ons.You are correct in that the colour came from whatever they had,i remember the line marking rumour,but i was also told that it was an ex public service colour.Dont know if this onfo helps you at all:)I think i have seen only three in the flesh in the last 30 years.

[rick130]

Regarding the different types of 'Sunraysia' rims, I think it might relate to this.
The original 'Sunraysia' wheel was introduced by a company called 'Wheels International' in Sydney, who built a 10 spoke 4WD rim that used a 3/8" centre plate, with the spokes directly welded to the rim (usually supplied by ROH)
These things were bloody heavy and very strong, and being made here weren't exactly cheap either.
I was only a kid at the time, so the time line may be a little out, but a year or so after introduction Wheels International introduced a new rim in the range the 'Sunraysia II' with a dished and coined centre and a 360* weld where the centre attached to the rim. These were quite a bit lighter (thinner centre plate) and IIRC were actually made in Japan.

The original Game's I saw used the original Sunraysia's, as did LNC Industries who were the then Jeep importer on some of their 'specials'.

[Killer]

Regarding the different types of 'Sunraysia' rims, I think it might relate to this.
The original 'Sunraysia' wheel was introduced by a company called 'Wheels International' in Sydney, who built a 10 spoke 4WD rim that used a 3/8" centre plate, with the spokes directly welded to the rim (usually supplied by ROH)
These things were bloody heavy and very strong, and being made here weren't exactly cheap either.
I was only a kid at the time, so the time line may be a little out, but a year or so after introduction Wheels International introduced a new rim in the range the 'Sunraysia II' with a dished and coined centre and a 360* weld where the centre attached to the rim. These were quite a bit lighter (thinner centre plate) and IIRC were actually made in Japan.

The original Game's I saw used the original Sunraysia's, as did LNC Industries who were the then Jeep importer on some of their 'specials'.

Mine has the later style, but is still quite thick, I would have said 3/8" but may be 5/16'', it is certainly much thicker than the current wheels that you see about. They have ROH stamped on them.

Cheers, Mick.

[IWANNAOLDRANGIE]

Was there ever a 4dr LWB game??? My best mate has just picked up a sIII wagon....devil yellow.... black interior..... free wheeling hubs....rear door......fairey overdrive......safari roof....... just interested in finding out

[Sprint]

the one piece rear door was standard 4dr wagon fare, interior colour was optional IIRC, tropical roof is a common option on the wagons, the overdrive and FWH were available aftermarket

afaik there werent any LWB Game's

[JDNSW]

Was there ever a 4dr LWB game??? My best mate has just picked up a sIII wagon....devil yellow.... black interior..... free wheeling hubs....rear door......fairey overdrive......safari roof....... just interested in finding out

As far as I am aware, no, Games only came in the one version. But all the bits you mention were either options or standard (like the rear door) on the five door wagon. Although I am not sure about the colour scheme, but it may be aa aftermarket copy of a Game.

John

[MickS]

Guy's thought the attached Overlander mag article may be of interest also. Nice cars by the way. I'm way jealous!:(

Lakey

Great trucks. Would love one.

Had to laugh at the second last paragraph of Lakey's overlander magazine attachment - I do believe that is the first time in a looong time that I have read the word "indubitably" in an article :Rolling: Didn't Foghorn Leghorn use that word?? :Rolling: