Thread: Slunnie's 95 Disco V8 3dr

I'd been just keeping an eye out for a really good clean 3Dr for quite a while. I figured one day that something would pop up.
I was looking for one that was: V8, Auto, Update with D2 type interior, White, unmolested and standard, and in excellent condition that didn't need notable repairs.
I wanted one of these to restore and collect.

Way way back when I was looking to buy my first LandRover, I looked at and test drove a Tdi200 3dr. I wasn't impressed by the motor or the body sway when it drove. The dealer was upfront and said most people stay away from the 3drs because they cant throw the kids or shopping into the back. I later test drove the Tdi300 and the body sway had been sorted but it was such a doughy motor. I never bought a LandRover until the Disco2 Td5 which I still have today. At the time I had never considered the V8 as I didn't think I could throw that much fuel at it. Interestingly I bought one of the first Holden Frontera V6 SE auto LWB which used about 16.5l/100km, so it probably wasnt too far off a Disco V8.

In my search I did find that virtually all 3Drs had probably been sold cheap, and so had been carved up. Almost all of them have cut bodywork to fit big tyres, looked really rough and had been modified to bash around in the bush. Either that or decked and kitted for touring with the various modifications that come with that. Almost none were standard AND in good condition.

There were few that I saw along the way, but there were none that I just looked at and said to myself that this is the right one.

I saw this car advertised for sale in Benalla VIC, it was on Gumtree, but being in NSW it was a bit far to travel and probably find that it wasn't the one I was looking for. Its story was that it had been sitting for a few years but it was straight, rust free, ran well, interior needed a tidy up with dirt and roof lining and it was unregistered. I kept the Ad on file as a reference, but let the vehicle go due to location. It was generally what I was looking for being an update, V8, unmolested but it was a manual.

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As the story goes, sometimes you cant get the exact spec vehicle you want. Earlier this year I saw an Ad here on AULRO advertising a 1995 Disco 3dr, update, white, 3.9 V8, manual, and basically clean vehicle with the option of rego. So it turns out, Kim on the forum here (I don't recall his username) must have bought the above vehicle or already owned it. I could see that he had spent time and probably money on really cleaning the vehicle up. When you know the vehicle you want, you know, there is no hesitation or procrastination. The Ad had only just gone up and I sent him a message saying I think that it should be in my garage. Interestingly, in the Discos history, it sounded like it was originally from a deceased estate which explained quite a few things. Kerry was especially kind, he said he could have sold it a few times but he held it for a while as with me being a schoolie I couldn't get down there to pick it up as quickly as some. In the end I decided to truck it. Payment was made and the vehicle transport company managed to get it out of Victoria literally only just before covid-19 closed the borders.

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The borders closed and about a month after the initial pickup the Disco finally made the journey west of Sydney, over the ranges to its new home. Sadly it sat for a while in the shed as I worked out what to do with it. Moth ball it or use it. It sat moth balled for the rest of 2020. This Christmas break I finally got time to go over the vehicle as I hadn't really had a good look at it until this time. It was actually pretty good! I had decided to reregister it for a few reasons: to finalise its transfer of ownership and to be able to use it. It needed a few minor things to sort it out for rego, a couple of globes, gearbox bias plate, water in the windscreen washer bottle and some fuel in it... that was all, there were no leaks surprisingly. I booked the blue slip inspection but hadn't actually driven it on the road until that day, I didn't really know what the brakes were like or if it was going to break down on the way into town. The brakes were not as strong as I like but it sailed through the inspection with ease, although I think new rotors and pads are in order. To a point the brakes were responsive but afterwards increased pedal pressure didn't increase brake force and the brake test clearly graphed this also. Now the paperwork is done, rego achieved, rego plates fitted and it's good to go! I've just rewired the trailer coupling to a 7pin flat so it is compatible with my trailer, fitted my Disco2 towbar and I'm looking forward to having some fun with it!


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There we go. I'm sure all Landy fans will be pleased that we have another LandRover that is back on the road again, especially one like this one. Hopefully there will be more LandRovers to come out of my shed and put back on the road into the future.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Whats the point of (wanting!) owning a 3 door if you buy one thats been updated inside and underneath????
I still prefer the earlier dash and switches, and as for sway, do you want to go fast around bitumen corners or have contact with all 4 wheels through the ruts? Nothing built by LR since has been as good stock off road as the real early D1's.

I think all of the various Landys and their versions have their fans for various reasons. I've got a preupdate Disco1 V8 4dr also, but it was bought as a donor car. Sadly, even in the shed it is slowly turning to dust as the roof progressively decays.