Few vehicles are as instantly recognisable, or as enduringly useful, as the classic Land Rover.

This 1979 Land Rover Long Wheelbase Flatbed represents the marque at its most honest: simple, rugged and purpose-built, with the unmistakable character that has made these vehicles icons of British motoring.

The long-wheelbase chassis and practical flatbed give this Land Rover a particularly purposeful stance. Its traditional green finish, galvanised body fittings, bonnet-mounted spare wheel and wonderfully straightforward cabin all reinforce its utilitarian origins. There is nothing unnecessary here, just robust engineering designed for farms, back roads and hard work.

Today, early Land Rovers have developed a following well beyond their original working role, appreciated for their charm, mechanical simplicity and unmistakable presence.

This 1979 example retains exactly that appeal: a proper old-school Land Rover that looks equally at home earning its keep or becoming part of a classic vehicle collection.

A beautifully restored example of one of Britain’s most iconic and enduring four-wheel-drive vehicles, this 1979 Land Rover Series III 109 Flat Tray combines traditional Land Rover character with exceptional presentation and genuine everyday practicality.

Meticulously restored and presented in excellent condition throughout, this is a particularly impressive example of the legendary Series III Land Rover. Considerable care and attention have clearly gone into the restoration, with an emphasis on preserving the simplicity, ruggedness and unmistakable character that made these vehicles so successful around the world.

The desirable 109-inch Long Wheelbase configuration, complemented by its traditional flat tray, gives this Land Rover a wonderfully purposeful appearance. From its bonnet-mounted spare wheel and galvanised fittings to its straightforward cabin and unmistakably mechanical driving experience, everything about this vehicle reflects the honest, no-nonsense engineering for which Land Rover became renowned.

What makes this example particularly appealing is not simply the standard of its restoration, but the fact that it remains a thoroughly usable classic. It starts, runs and drives extremely well, offering all the charm and character of an original Series Land Rover while benefiting from the considerable work undertaken to bring it to its present condition.

Vehicle Highlights

• 1979 Land Rover Series III 109 Flat Tray, featuring the desirable Long Wheelbase configuration and traditional utilitarian styling.
• Meticulously restored and presented in excellent condition throughout, with considerable attention paid to originality, detail and overall finish.
• Extensive photographic restoration records available, documenting the work undertaken. A selection of these photographs accompanies this listing.
• Exceptional overall presentation, with the quality of workmanship evident in the bodywork, interior, engine bay, chassis, traditional fittings and practical flat tray.
• Excellent driving characteristics, running and driving extremely well and delivering the robust, mechanical experience associated with these classic Land Rovers.
• Traditional bonnet-mounted spare wheel, adding to its authentic period appearance and unmistakable Land Rover character.
• Period-correct styling and detailing, including galvanised fittings, simple utilitarian interior, traditional controls and classic Land Rover features.
• Five owners from new, including three long-term owners whose combined ownership accounts for an impressive 44 years.
• Original-style Land Rover Owners Manual available, complementing the vehicle’s history and presentation.
• Practical flat tray configuration, offering genuine versatility and making this a classic vehicle that can still be enjoyed and used as originally intended.
• An increasingly difficult vehicle to replicate, particularly considering the time, expertise and expense involved in achieving a restoration of this standard.
• Suitable for the enthusiast, collector or recreational owner, offering an appealing combination of presentation, character and usability.

Our Assessment

The Series III represents an important chapter in Land Rover’s history, continuing the development of a vehicle that had already established an enviable reputation for durability, simplicity and versatility. These were working vehicles first and foremost, designed to withstand demanding conditions rather than spend their lives being carefully preserved.

Consequently, many examples endured decades of hard use, agricultural work and exposure to the elements. Finding one today that has been restored to this standard, while retaining the authenticity and character of the original vehicle, is becoming increasingly difficult.

This particular example stands out not only for its excellent presentation but also for its ownership history and the extensive photographic documentation accompanying the restoration. With five owners, three of whom collectively retained the vehicle for 44 years, it has an appealing history that further distinguishes it from the average example.

Quite simply, this is one of the finest Series III Land Rovers we have come across. The attention to detail, overall standard of restoration and excellent driving characteristics make it a particularly appealing proposition. Replicating a vehicle to this standard would undoubtedly require a considerable investment of time, effort and money.

For anyone seeking a proper classic Land Rover, one that looks magnificent, drives extremely well and retains all the charm of Britain’s most recognisable utility vehicle, this 1979 Series III 109 Flat Tray deserves serious consideration.

A wonderfully authentic, beautifully restored and enormously usable classic Land Rover, ready to be appreciated and enjoyed by its next custodian.

Finding a Series III Land Rover is not particularly difficult; finding one presented to this standard is another matter altogether. These were working vehicles from new, and most spent decades on farms, building sites and back-country roads where appearance was very much secondary to getting the job done. This example is the exception. Its meticulous restoration, excellent presentation and photographic record make it a particularly impressive survivor and, in our view, one of the better Series Land Rovers you are likely to encounter.

That distinction is becoming increasingly important as early Land Rovers establish themselves as genuinely collectible vehicles rather than simply old workhorses. Interest in well-restored, original-style Series Land Rovers has grown internationally, and the very best examples increasingly command a significant premium over average vehicles. The combination of unmistakable styling, mechanical simplicity, extraordinary heritage and a dwindling supply of properly restored examples gives vehicles such as this considerable long-term appeal.

And there are few countries where an old Land Rover makes more sense than New Zealand. Our farms, mountains, gravel roads and rugged landscapes could almost have been designed with one in mind. A 109″ Series III flatbed has the character of a classic, the presence of an icon and, unlike many collector vehicles, remains genuinely useful.

Immaculate, highly desirable and increasingly difficult to replace in this condition, this is a Land Rover to enjoy today and preserve for the future.

The market for classic Land Rovers has strengthened considerably over the past decade, reflecting growing international appreciation for their heritage, distinctive styling and enduring appeal. Once regarded primarily as inexpensive working vehicles, early Series Land Rovers have increasingly established themselves as desirable classics, attracting interest from collectors, enthusiasts and buyers seeking something refreshingly different from conventional historic vehicles. The Series III, particularly in the longer wheelbase configurations, represents an accessible entry into classic Land Rover ownership, although values vary significantly according to condition, originality, specification and restoration quality.

Within New Zealand, the market remains relatively specialised, with good examples attracting interest from a relatively small but enthusiastic following. While the shorter wheelbase models have traditionally enjoyed broader collector appeal, the 109-inch variants are increasingly appreciated for their distinctive proportions, versatility and strong connection to New Zealand’s rural and agricultural heritage. Importantly, the cost of undertaking a comprehensive restoration can substantially exceed the market value of the finished vehicle, making properly restored examples particularly attractive to buyers who recognise the work involved. Looking ahead, the combination of limited surviving numbers, established international demand and growing appreciation for authentic utilitarian classics should continue to support interest in well-preserved and carefully restored Series Land Rovers.

New Zealand Sales
Unless otherwise stated, vehicles sold for use in New Zealand will be supplied with a new Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and 12 months New Zealand registration at the time of sale.

Transport & Shipping
New Zealand transport and worldwide shipping can be arranged on the Buyer’s behalf and at the Buyer’s cost and risk. Any freight, shipping, insurance, customs charges, duties, taxes, import costs, certification or compliance costs are the responsibility of the Buyer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Export Sales
For vehicles purchased for export, the Buyer is responsible for determining and satisfying all import, registration, certification, compliance, tax and regulatory requirements applicable in the destination country.

Viewing
All vehicle inspections and viewings are strictly by appointment only.

Applicable Law
All sales are subject to applicable New Zealand law. Nothing in these Conditions of Sale excludes or limits any statutory rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime, or contact us through the form below.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak.

NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993

Waimak Group Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”. Waimak Group Ltd is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Group Ltd does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Group Ltd.

The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.