1976 Land Rover Santana 88″ Series 3

A family-heirloom Spanish Santana restored to original spec — with A/C, Defender disc brakes, and power steering added at the owner’s request.

Quick Facts

Year 1976

Model Santana Series III 88″

Status Completed

1976 Land Rover Santana 88″ Series 3 — Carlos — Completed

Meet “Carlos.” Carlos is only one-family owned.

The original owner was a man who drove it in all-stock original form to his dying day at 102 years old. WOW.

Carlos was in Spain, but as soon as it hit the shores of Miami, he was sent straight to me at Rad Rovers. The job I was asked to perform was more or less, “I’d like a full restoration, but don’t change anything.” So I asked if he wanted to pay me in full now and he could take Carlos home right away (little joke…).

Shortly after, I was asked:

Is it possible to have air-conditioning? Yes.
Is it possible to have power steering? Yes.

And right at the end we also changed everything to disc brakes from a Defender.

The usual process of 100% disassembly was undertaken — every part media-blasted and chemically dipped, then powder-coated, then painted.

Carlos was extremely tricky with how to fit all the air-conditioning parts into such a small cavity. Every ¼″ was crucial in calculating space and travel of parts.

I think it came out very nicely. I just wish his father was around so he could enjoy it as well.