Land Rover SIII Development History

Time Line	Rolling chassis	Body	General
1971	Salisbury rear axle became standard on the 109in.		First Series III's produced
	All synchromesh gearbox.	Plastic radiator grill used from launch. Also revised dashboard .
June 1971			750,000th Land Rover produced
1972		101 Forward Control launched (V8 engine) but only for military market.
1973		SIIB Forward Control ends production
1974	Overdrive unit developed	Land Rover exports to USA and Canada cease (resumed in 1986).
June 1976		De-lux bonnet wih rounded edges becomes standard on 88-inch models	1,000,000th Land Rover produced
1977			1-ton model ceased production
1978		101 Forward Control ceased production.
1980	V8 3528cc engine available in LWB but de-tuned to 91hp (already in Range Rovers since 1970). V8 model referred to as Stage One V8; it also had permanent 4WD. 6-cylinder engine ceased production 5-bearing 2286cc petrol/diesel engine introduced. Called the 2.3litre now, but capacity actually unchanged Twin leading brake shoes fitted to front axle.
1981	Stronger synchromesh added and slightly different gear ratios.		Rover V8 109in launched
1982	Differentials and halfshafts become 24 spline instead of 12 spline to increase strength. April: Radial tyres approved for factory fitting. Larger diameter front brakes fitted and all models now have twin leading shoes. 88in and 109in have twin circuit brake system and servo assist now becomes standard instead of optional.		High Capacity Pickup and County station wagon launched
1983		Coil sprung versions available in 110.	110 was launched in March
1984		Coil sprung versions available in 90.
1985			Final Series III's produced (total over 500,000)

Acknowledgement.
The following publications were used as resource materials:

Land Rover Simply the Best by Martin Hodder
The Land Rover Directory 1986 Edition
The Land Rover, Workhorse of the World by Graham Robson

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