50-Year-Old Land Rover Series III is Beautifully Restored and Equipped for Adventure
E.C.D. Automotive Design (E.C.D.), the world’s largest Land Rover restoration company, today unveils Project Overload, an impressive 1972 Land Rover Series III thoroughly refurbished to look like it did the day it rolled off the factory floor 50 years ago. Renowned for its bespoke vintage Defenders, E.C.D. also excels at Series IIA and Range Rover Classic luxury restorations. However, this elegant all-purpose ride is E.C.D.’s first-ever Series III rebuild.
“Unlike other builds where the base vehicle is sourced and imported from Europe via our U.K. logistics center, the former work vehicle was already in the client’s possession and given to us to be revamped from the frame-up to its full glory while preserving its English heritage. In this spirit, Project Overload maintains many original features – notably its right-hand drive,” said E.C.D. Co-Founder Tom Humble. “It’s truly a fusion of classic style and subtle modern elements that is sure to thrill any Land Rover enthusiast.”
Painted in a glossy Dark Bronze Green with silver accents, Project Overload’s authentic elements include a classic grille and bumper with fog lights. The roof rack is also original to the truck, galvanized by E.C.D.’s team of specialists. The restored Series III is perched on 16-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires with 16-inch green OEM wheels. In the Land Rover series fashion, the spare wheel carrier rests on the hood. Coupling its classic sophisticated styling with modern performance, the four-door off-roader holds a 430 horsepower LS3 V8 engine mated to a 6-speed manual T56 Magnum transmission. This, in addition to its FOX off-road suspension and EBC FAST breaks, makes Project Overload a sleek, powerful adventurer. Another stand-out feature of this Series III is its double-skinned hardtop “safari” roof. When on the move, the slight gap funnels airflow inside via four vents, helping keep passengers cool without needing to blast the air conditioning on high.
Inside, Project Overload holds true to the classic Series III interior with a handful of customizations to fit the client’s vision. Configurated in a 2+3+4 layout, the seats are wrapped in a smooth Garrett Torino Lager leather with a handstitched vertical diamond pattern. The original three abreast front seating was modified in favor of replacing the middle seat with an E.C.D. custom cubby console for more storage. Other traditional touches include a classic Land Rover steering wheel, a classic style gauge set, manual windows and a classic dash with the addition of a custom classic Defender air conditioning system. A Pioneer Single-DIN Stereo with Bluetooth rounds out the rehabilitated Series III’s upgrades.
For more information on how to build your own vehicle please visit ecdautodesign.com.
Project Overload Specifications
Additional high-resolution images are here.
Model — Land Rover Series III 109″ Hard Top
Engine — LS3 V8 430HP
Transmission — 6-Speed Manual T56 Magnum Transmission
Axels – Stock
Suspension — FOX Off-Road
Brakes – EBC FAST
Fuel System – Stock
Exterior
Paint Color — Dark Bronze Green with Full Gloss
Roof Top Color — Chawton White
Wheels — 16″ OEM Classic Steel Painted in Dark Bronze Green
Tires — 16″ BF Goodrich All-Terrain
Grille — Classic Land Rover Grille
Additional Features — Double-Skinned Safari Roof, Silver Roof Rack, Hood Mounted Spare Wheel, Fog Lamps on Bumper
Interior
Seat Layout — 2+3+4
Front Seats — 2 Classic Seats
Middle Row Seats — 3 Seat Bench
Load Area Seats — 2 Inward Facing 2 Seat Benches
Leather Color — Garret Torino Lager
Seat Design – Vertical Diamond Center with Garret Hacienda Stitching on All Seats
Carpet — Black, OEM Rubber Mats All Around
Steering Wheel — Classic Heritage Wheel on Right Hand Side
Gauges — Classic Gauges
Dash — Classic Dash with Classic Defender AC system
Center Console — E.C.D. Custom Cubby Console
Additional Features — Manual Windows
Audio & Electronics
Radio — Pioneer Single-DIN Stereo with Bluetooth
Sound System — 2 Speakers
About E.C.D. Automotive Design
E.C.D. Automotive Design (E.C.D.) is a creator of restored luxury vehicles that combines classic English beauty with modern performance. Each vehicle produced by E.C.D. is fully bespoke, a one-off that is designed by the client through an immersive luxury design experience and hand-built from the ground up in 2,200 hours by master-certified ASE craftsmen. The company was founded in 2013 by three British ”petrol heads” whose passion for classic vehicles is the driving force behind exceptionally high standards for quality, custom luxury vehicles. E.C.D.’s global headquarters, known as the ”Rover Dome,” is a 45,000 square-foot facility located in Kissimmee, Fla. that is home to 63 talented craftsman and technicians, who hold a combined 61 ASE and five master level certifications. E.C.D. has a logistics center in the U.K. where its seven employees work to source and transport 25-year-old work vehicles back to the U.S. for restoration.
