1979 Land Rover Series III 109 pickup, ex-UAE military with a clean title and a rust-free frame per the dealer
A clean-title, running 109 pickup priced well under recent Series driver sales; needs a carb rebuild.
Why we picked it
Why we picked it: the dealer lists this 1979 Series III 109 pickup as a former UAE Armed Forces truck with a clean title, a 2.25-liter petrol four and a 4-speed that the dealer says shifts smoothly with a strong clutch. They say it runs and drives, the frame looks rust-free, and it wears new Pirelli Scorpion mud tires. It needs a carburetor rebuild.
At $16,579 it is well under the roughly $19,000 to $34,000 that running Series trucks have brought on Bring a Trailer this year. The body is honest patina in its original desert sand, which suits a long-wheelbase working pickup. It is sold as-is with no warranty.
The value check
The seller is asking $16,247. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $19,000–$33,750, so the middle of the market is about $26,375. That put this car 38% under.
Running, original US-located Series trucks sold between $19,000 and $33,750 on Bring a Trailer in 2026, with a 1966 IIA 109 at $36,000; this is a patina truck, so we used the lower part of that range.
- 1973 Series III 88, BaT, $33,750 (Sep 2026)
- 1973 Series III 88, BaT, $31,000 (Aug 2026)
- 1966 Series IIA 109, BaT, $36,000 (Aug 2026)
- 1973 Series 88, BaT, $19,000 (May 2026)
What to check
- Mileage is listed three ways (26,683, 26,638 and 42k km); treat it as unknown
- Confirm the import paperwork and that the title matches VIN LBCAH2AA126233
- Inspect the chassis, rear crossmember and bulkhead yourself despite the rust-free claim
- Ex-military trucks often have 24-volt or modified electrics; check what has been converted
- Budget for the carburetor rebuild the dealer mentions, plus swivel hub and axle seals
- Sold as-is with no warranty
Making it drive like new
Rebuild or replace the carburetor (a Weber conversion is common), then add parabolic springs, a brake servo and a dual-circuit master cylinder. A long-wheelbase pickup is a good base for a 200Tdi or 300Tdi diesel swap, or a galvanized chassis if the frame turns out worse than described.
