1973 Land Rover 109 Series III: A Blast From the Past
So, picture this—a 1973 Land Rover 109 Series III pickup, once rubbing shoulders with fire trucks in Pakistan, now chummily parked in the land of the bald eagles and hamburger stands. This rugged relic was salvaged and spat-shined by Sukomoto Motorwerks before making its grand entrance into the United States in 2024. Sporting a fresh coat of light green paint and snazzy brown upholstery, this vintage beast boasts a beefed-up 2.6-liter inline-six engine.
Specifications & Features
- Transmission: Four-speed manual
- Drive: All four wheels thanks to a dual-range transfer case
- Wheels: Sporty beige 16″ completes the look
- Seating: Three-across front seats for those group adventures
Exterior Highlights
This classic truck struts its stuff in a newly applied light green hue, topped with a white roof for that extra panache. It offers a folding windshield for those windy reflections, a recessed front grille, and fender-mounted side mirrors—because who doesn’t need to keep an eye on the backtrail? Cowl vents, folding steps, and a swing-out rear tailgate tie the whole package together.
Wheel & Brake Enhancements
Decked out with beige 16″ steel wheels wearing General GLT Traction II tires fitted in 2023, this beast is ready for the toughest terrains. Not one, but two spare tires are strapped to both hood and bed—because better safe than sorry, right? The suspension took a trip to the spa, getting refinished and fitted with new bushings, while the four-wheel drum brakes had their makeover during the refurbishment.
Interiors: Simple and Classy
Step inside to discover a right-hand-drive cabin with three-across seating cloaked in plush brown upholstery. Spot the suave black plastic dashboard equipped with an integrated storage shelf and sliding side windows for that breeze you didn’t know you were missing.
Dashboard and Instrumentation
The truck’s dashboard hosts a jaunty three-spoke steering wheel, stylishly framing Jaeger instruments such as a 150-km/h speedometer and a combination gauge sporting coolant temperature and fuel level readouts. Centrally placed are Smiths instruments—a proper setup for oil pressure and temperature, rounded off by an ammeter for the electrically obsessed. As for the travel log, the five-digit odometer reads 24k kilometers, or roughly 15k miles for the metrically challenged.
Engine & Performance
Once revered for its mighty 70 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque, this 2.6-liter inline-six engine has undergone a rigorous overhaul, touching upon both the engine and electrical systems. The road to perfection was paved with a diligent round of fluid services during the refurbishment.
Powertrain & Chassis Refinement
The power flows either to the rear or all fours courtesy of the four-speed manual transmission, backed by a dual-range transfer case. Even the chassis didn’t escape the rejuvenation spree—it enjoyed a thorough refinishing session.
Refurbishment Gallery
The tales of its transformation from workhorse to showpiece are captured in a series of refurbishment photos, offering a detailed look into its restoration journey. Have a gander at this time machine and appreciate both its past adventures and future escapades.