Land Rover 109” Stage One V8 ‘1982

The first serial-production V8-engined Land Rover – The first Land Rover passenger car with permanent four-wheel drive.

Chassis nr. SALLBCMV2AA137285
First registration 26.02.1982
Original Rover 3.5 V8 with two Zenith Stromberg carburettors
LT95 four-speed manual transmission
Permanent four-wheel drive, low gear and centre diff lock.
Marine Blue exterior colour, original side tapes renewed
Black artificial leather upholstery, seating for 9/10
Safari roof
Imported from Belgium to Finland in 2024 by us.
Fresh Mot/Tüv inspection valid until 11/2026. Inspected as a historic vehicle.

In the mid-1970s, Land Rover was one of few British Leyland’s profitable car manufacturers. However, the off-road vehicle engine was outdated and not conducive to long journeys on the road – the only options available were four-cylinder 2.25-litre petrol and diesel engines and a 2.6-litre inline six -engine designed by Rover in the 1940s. There was a demand, especially in Australia, for off-road vehicles capable of long highway journeys at 100 kilometres per hour, and Toyota had already hit this market with the 3.8-litre engine in the Land Cruiser.

The Land Rover Stage One V8 was introduced in 1979 and was largely based on the 109-inch wheelbase Series III introduced eight years earlier. Rover's 3.5 V8 and more sturdy LT95 gearbox were borrowed from the Range Rover. The front end was shaped flat to accommodate the engine. The result was a genuine tool-like Land Rover with a civilised powerplant that enabled speeds of over one hundred kilometres per hour. A small number of cars were produced between 1979 and 1985, but the exact number is not known and there are very few survived examples.

We imported this example from Belgium to Finland in 2024. The car is the only left-hand drive Land Rover Stage One V8 in driving condition known to us in Finland.

The Stage One V8 was restored in the 2020s from a well-preserved, original car:

The body has been restored and painted in the original Marine Blue shade. The original side tapes have been renewed. The chassis has been washed, surface rusts has sandblasted, minor rust damage has been repaired and the chassis has been rust-protected.

All seats, door trims, carpets, seat belts and headliner have been renewed. Also new cubby box available if wanted in the place of the middle front seat. The dashboard, switches and body inside of the car have been preserved in very good original condition.

The wearing parts of the suspension and steering have been renewed, the swivel balls and the steering column have been renewed. New parabolic springs and new shock absorbers. The rear propshaft has also been renewed.

The brakes have been renewed.

The engine ignition parts have been renewed, the carburetors have been restored, etc. The car's engine power was originally throttled with carburetors from the Range Rover's 135 horsepower to 91. In this example, those throttlings have been removed.

The car's engine and transmission work excellently and the car drives really well!

The engine oil and filters have just been changed, as well as the gearbox, transfer case and axle oils, as well as the radiator, clutch and brake fluids.

The majority of the restoration work was done by Grips Garage, which specializes in British classics, during 2025 and those invoices are available.

Registered in Finland (inspected and approved as a historic vehicle), inspection valid until November 2026.

A magnificent and truly rare, original Land Rover Stage One V8. The holy grail of genuine Land Rover’s.

The car is located in Vantaa, Finland – 25 minutes from Helsinki–Vantaa Airport. Views by appointment only.

Worldwide shipping with generous rates.