Hello all Quick question. Always wanted a right hand drive Land Rover. Are LR3 available/ legal in the US. Anyone know where I could hunt for these. I have briefly looked on eBay with no luck. RHD Defenders seems to be all over the place but I am thinking finding someone to work on a LR3 in the US would be easier than finding a qualified Defender Mech.

 

Nothing much to working on a Defender. The axles, transmission, and transfer case are all the same type of stuff on a Disco 1. The V8 is the same as an early RRC, but usually carb instead of FI. If it's a diesel, the injection pump on the old ones is a Lucas CAV that is common to lots of stuff including tractors. The newer pumps are Bosch which is also a very common manufacturer.

But to answer your question, I do not believe they were ever imported, and if Land Rover doesn't commit in writing that the vehicle is IDENTICAL as far as emissions and crash tests to a US spec vehicle, you'd never be able to import it. If they did, you'd probably still have to pay a special company to certify it for you. Defenders get around this rule if they are over 25 years old.

 

You could get a Gasoline Version RHD and import it. The emissions standard is set on the computer. How many do you want?

The easiest option would be to buy a new one special order from LRNA.. at your dealer.

Forget the Defender, that will not happen.

 

What is the appeal of a RHD LR3 over LHD? I think the novelty would wear off quickly and it would be more of a pain to drive. Think about trying to pass another car on a two lane road in a RHD car.

 

Or, how about any tollbooth an EZ-pass doesn't work at, or parking garages to get the ticket from the machine, or a coffee drive through...

I had really thought it would be cool too, on an old series rover, but I quickly changed my mind after I thought about real world use here in USA.

Even my work - I have to show my badge to the officer at the gate and then badge in... thaaat would be tricky.

Dave

 

Maybe he delivers mail!!