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How To Identify Your Land Rover

Land Rover began in 1947 with the Series I and continued until 1985 manufacturing the Series III model. This identification was initiated by Land Rover as a means of identifying major design changes in production. They did not intend to change them on an annual basis. The designers felt that they had this "agricultural workhorse" so right from the start, that annual cosmetic styling would only detract from its functional applications.

NAS vs. ROW
NAS is an acronym for North American Specification, these Defenders sold between 1993 and 1997.
ROW is an acronym for Rest of World Specification, which is a Land Rover term for a standard production vehicle, before market specific requirments are integrated.

Defender VIN Locations

Defender Engine Number Locations

Defender Axle/Gearbox Number Locations

Defender NAS VIN Decoder

Defender ROW VIN Decoder

Land Rover vs. Santana
Land Rover Santana were manufacture under license by the Metalurgica de Santa Ana company in Linares Spain from 1958 to 1990.

From approximately 1967 Santana began to use more and more locally sourced parts, drifting further from commonality with Land Rovers manufacture in Britain by Land Rover. Finally by the 1990 the vehicles were so dissimilar that Land Rover and Santana terminated their licensing agreement and parted ways.

Santanas were marketed in Spain, Central, South America and parts of Africa. Beginning in 1990 Land Rover began selling its own British manufactured Defender models through Land Rover dealerships in Spain. Santana continued manufacture of their Series IV under the name Santana, until Land Rover forced them to stop manufacturing in 1994.

At first glance a Santana appears similar to a real Land Rover. However close inspection reveals major differences in numerous body and mechanical parts.

Despite our efforts to secure a reliable parts source, Rovers North is unable to support Santana models. Some parts are still available from Santana dealers however there is no committed investment in early parts support by Metalurgica de Santa Ana.

Please understand, when purchasing a Land Rover Santana, that parts support from Rovers North will most likely not be available for your vehicle.

By Wheelbase
Land Rover wheel base is measured from the hub center of the front wheel to the hub center of the rear (example: model 88 is 88" from hub center to hub center). The exception being the 90 which is actually 92.9" wheel base.

Birth of a Legend
The prototype Land Rover built September 1947 featured a center steering wheel, negating the need to build RHD and LHD models. The vehicle was essentially a U.S. built Jeep with a Rover designed aluminum skinned body. Rover car engine and main gearbox. It was scrapped in the spring of 1948. 1948 pre-production Land Rovers were built in the first half of 1948. As the last of the pilot built vehicles were being finished, production vehicles were already coming off an adjacent assembly line.

Land Rover Series I - 1948 into 1958
First production Land Rovers were 1.6 litre petrol 80" wheel base. 1952 engine displacement was increased to 2.0 litres. 1954 the wheel base was lengthened to 86 inches and the first long wheel base 107" pickup was introduced. 1956 86" and 107" were lengthened to 88" and 109" and the 2.0 litre diesel became available as an option.

Land Rover Series II - 1958 thru 1960
All new body designed by Rover's styling department. A more powerful 2.25 litre petrol engine is introduced for improved performance. Available in 88" and 109" wheel base and a broader range of colours.

Land Rover Series IIA - 1961 into 1971. 88" and 109" wheel base
1962 2.25 diesel and the Forward Control model introduced. Positive earth electrics until 1967. Fall of 1967, Land Rover introduces the 2.6 litre, 6 cylinder station wagon and Ser. IIB 110 forward control. Land Rovers are now in negative earth with single wiper motor mounted in dash. 1968 air portable 88" for military purposes is developed. 1969, headlights are moved from the center radiator grille to the side wings. 1971, Forward Control production ended.

Land Rover Series III - Fall of 1971 to 1984
Revised fascia with black plastic safety dash. Instruments moved in front of driver, fully synchronized gearbox, and plastic radiator grille. 1972 Land Rover introduces its V8 powered 101" Forward Control. In 1979 Land Rover introduces its V8 109" Regular and 109" Station Wagon models. In 1982 Land Rover introduces its 109" High Capacity Pickup.

Land Rover Defender 110 - 1983 to present
All new coil spring suspension with full time 4WD from the Range Rover design is incorporated into the 109 body styles. Available in a 2.5 petrol, 2.5 diesel, V8 petrol carburetted or fuel injected and a 200Tdi turbo diesel. 5 speed manual gearbox is standard. First imported to the USA for the 1993 model year. 1994, improved 300 TDI diesel becomes standard engine with only the V8 offered as optional.

Land Rover Defender 90 - 1984 to present
A smaller version of the 110 with a 93" wheelbase, it replaced the series III 88" lineup. Shares the same engine and gearbox options as the 110.

Land Rover Defender 130 - Introduced in 1985
A 127" wheelbase version of the 110. Aimed at the commercial market it is ideally suited for special body conversions. Also offered in six wheel drive. After manufacture most 130s are finished at Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations facility at Solihull. Here 130s are completed to the customer's own design and specification. Rovers North stocks Land Rover parts for Series 80", 86", 88", 90", 101", 107", 109", 110" & 130" Land Rovers.

Weights, Dimensions, and Engine Specs

Download PDFs:

Dimensions and Weights

Defender Engines

Series Engines

Land Rover Paint Code Tips

These are general descriptions of the actual paint codes for each different manufacturer. Supply this chart to your body shop for correct matching.

Dupont Code Bronze Green 38500A Pastel Green 38504A Limestone 38505A Poppy Red 38506AH Marine Blue 38503A		Glasurit Bronze Green LEY637 Pastel Green ROV605 Limestone ROV105/S Poppy Red ROV303 Marine Blue ROV504 Sand ROV106		PPG Deltron Code Bronze Green 46451 Pastel Green 46250 Limestone 46251 Marine Blue 16514
Land Rover Genuine Colours 1994, '95, '97 Defender 90 Monza Red LRC590 Beluga Black LRC416 Alpine White LRC456 British Racing Green LRC0007 AA Yellow LRC559 Arles Blue LRC424 Portofino Red LRC390 Coniston Green LRC570 Caprice Teal LRC533 Eastnor Green LRC419 Note: Colour swatch pictured from 1997 Defender NAS brochure for reference only and might be different due to computer monitor display.

	1) Land Rover Series I, 80" 1948-1953 May 1950, headlamps protrude through grille. Mid 1951, inverted "T" grille (as Series II's). Side lights move from bulkhead to wings. Pre mid 1951 models for U.S. market had bulkhead lights relocated to wings to comply with lighting regulations. 1949-1951 Tickford Coachbuilders produced 650 Station Wagons.
	2) Land Rover Series I, 86" 1953-1957. Station Wagon A redesigned vehicle with increased load space. Wheel base lengthened to 88" 1957-1958 to accommodate new engine.
	3) Land Rover Series I, 107" 1953-1957, Pick-up with 3/4 canvas Same design as basic 80" with much larger load space. Wheel base lengthened to 109" 1957-1958 to accommodate new engine.
	4) Land Rover Series I, 107" 1956-1958, Station Wagon Redesigned rear body with doors and seating for additional passengers.
	5) Land Rover Series II, 88" 1958-1961, Hard Top New body style, includes sill panels to conceal chassis, fuel tank exhaust pipe. Available as pick-up, soft top and station wagon.
	6) Land Rover Series II 88" 1958-61 Station Wagon Station Wagon had a full hard top with tropical roof, sliding windows, fresh air vents and alpine windows. Rear door and full interior trim with seating for 7 people.
	7) Land Rover Series IIA, 109", 1961-1971, Pick-up with 3/4 canvas The "regular" or "two door" 109" was available in North America in Series II and IIA from 1958 to 1966. Petrol or diesel engine.
	8) Land Rover Series IIA, 109", 1961-1971 Station Wagon Originally a 10 seater it was "re-launched" as a 12 seater to "get around" British tax laws. 2.6 litre 6 cylinder petrol engine was introduced in 1967. The 109" SW was available in North America in Series II and IIA form from 1958-1967.
	9) Land Rover Series IIA, 88" 1961-1971, Military Soft Top Designated "1/4 ton" in British military service. Available as a "general service" vehicle with 12v electrics or a "fitted for radio" vehicle with 24v electrics.
	10) Land Rover Series IIA, 109", 1961-1971 Military Ambulance Custom built rear body built by Marshals of Cambridge. In addition to regular military specs. These vehicles had front and rear sway bars.
	11) Land Rover Series IIA, 109", "Dormobile" Conversion Molded fiberglass, side hinged roof section, opens for added head room and loft sleeping space. Interior fitted with special seats, sink, cabinets and stove. Some vehicles had side lights mounted atop wings so that fuel and water cans could be carried atop the front bumper.
	12) Land Rover Series IIA, 109", "Carawagon" Conversion Competitor to the Dormobile, this camper conversion uses wood to extend the standard roof, usually fitted to a regular 109"'.
	13) Land Rover Forward Control Series IIA, IIB 1961-1970 Utilized many of the same mechanical components, like engines, as normal Land Rovers. Massive 5'4" x 10'5" load bed was rated for a 3,380 lb. load. Ideal for special purpose platforms, many were fitted with hinged drop sides and tailgate. Removable corner posts allowed it to convert to a flatbed in minutes.
	14) Land Rover Series IIA 88" 1969 "Bugeye" Lighting regulation in Australia required moving the headlamps from the radiator panel to the wings. Land Rover had not yet designed a proper panel to accept the lights. So they sat on the surface. This interim model, between the so-called "early" IIA and "late" IIA is commonly referred to as the "Bugeye" .
	15) Land Rover Late Series IIA, 88", Fall 1969-1971, Soft Top New front wing panels with recessed headlamp. Available as hard top, station wagon and pick-up model. 2 1/4 litre petrol or diesel engine. Sill panels narrowed from 5" to 3".
	16) Land Rover Series III, 88", Fall 1971-1985 Pick-up with 3/4 canvas Plastic radiator grille replaces wire mesh type. Revised instrumentation - moved from central position to in front of driver with plastic dash. Available in U.S.A. as hard top seven seater through 1974.
	17) Land Rover Series III, 109", Fall 1971-1985 Station Wagon Produced in 10 and 12 passenger configuration. 2 1/4 petrol, 2 1/4 diesel and 2.6 petrol engines. V8 available in 1980. Tropical roof with air vents.
	18) Land Rover Series III, 109", 1971-1985 3/4 Ton Regular Military Soft Top Reinforced body and chassis with two inch suspension extension. Standard equipment included oil cooler, twin fuel tanks, military waterproof lighting system, front and rear bumperettes with lifting rings. Available in 12v GS (general service) and 24v FFR (fitted for radio).
	19) Land Rover Series III 88" 1971-1985 Military Lightweight Series IIA version 1968-1971. The early IIA Lightweights had their F.V. headlamps mounted on the radiator panel. Late IIA and III models had theirs on the wings. Designated "1/2 ton", it was designed to be air lifted by helicopter. The standard 1/4 ton was too heavy, the Lightweight heavier still, but it could be rapidly stripped of necessary panels to bring it within the helicopter's lifting capabilities.
	20) Land Rover Military 101" Forward Control 1974-1978 Designated "1 Ton" by British Military. Powered by a 3.5 litre V8, minimal front and rear overhang made it Solihull's most capable performer off road. Designed as a gun-tractor for the new British 105mm light gun which weighed 750 lbs more than the 105mm Pack Howitzer towed by the "3/4 ton" 109". Also available in hard top and Ambulance versions.
	21) Land Rover Series III, 109", High Capacity Pick-Up (H.C.P.U.) 1981-1983. Redesigned rear body for carrying loads of greater volume wider and longer load areas is separated from cab. Incorporates a full width tailgate. Replaced in late '83 by the 110" H.C.P.U.
	22) Land Rover Series III, 109", Stage One V8, Station Wagon 1979-1985 So named as they were "Stage 1" of a major investment scheme in 1978. 3.5 litre V8, using Range Rover gearbox and permanent 4WD. Radiator grille moved forward and new bonnet fitted to accommodate larger drive train. Available in all 109" body styles.
	23) Land Rover 110 Station Wagon 1983-Present Introduction of coil spring suspension as used in the Range Rover. Styling changes include one piece windscreen with new roof design and wheel arches added to the wings to accommodate wider track.
	24) Land Rover 90 Station Wagon 1984-Present Uses same engine and transmission as the 110. 92.9" inch wheel base.
	25) Land Rover 130, Crew Cab, High Capacity Pick-up 1991-Present Introduced in 1985. A 127" wheel base version of the 110". Aimed at commercial markets, it is ideally suited for special body conversions. Also offered in six wheel drive. After manufacturer most 130's are finished at Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations facility at Solihull. Here 130's are completed to the owners custom design and specification.
	26) Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon U.S.A. Model 1993 Limited edition. 500 vehicles sold in the United States. Featured a 3.9 litre V8 with a 5 speed gearbox and permanently mounted external rollcage.
	27) Land Rover Defender 90 Soft Top U.S.A. Model 1994-1997 3.9 litre with 5 speed or 4.0 litre with automatic gearbox.
	28) Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon U.S.A. Model 1995 and 1997 '95 Limited edition of 500 . 1997 4.0 litre with automatic gear box.