The Concrete Cruiser: How the Land Rover One Ten Defined an Era of Comfort and Capability

In the long and storied history of Land Rover, few models represent a greater evolutionary leap than the One Ten. While the original 1948 Series I introduced the concept of a go-anywhere vehicle, and the 1971 Range Rover revolutionized luxury off-roading, it was the 1983 One Ten that brought unprecedented levels of comfort and refinement to the utilitarian workhorse. This was the model that bridged the gap between rugged agricultural machinery and sophisticated family transport, a bridge that would ultimately lead to the globally successful Discovery range.

This article traces the complete evolution of the Land Rover One Ten from its inception in 1983 to the end of production in 1990, detailing every model and trim level, and exploring the vehicle’s legacy and future in the classic market.

The Birth of a New Generation: Series III Upgrade (1983-1985)

The Land Rover One Ten was launched in 1983, not as a standalone nameplate, but as a long-wheelbase derivative of the updated Land Rover Series III. It was developed to sit alongside the existing 88-inch (Two-Five) and 107-inch (Two-Six) Series III models. The primary motivation was to offer a more comfortable and practical alternative to the notoriously agricultural Series III, which was falling behind modern competitors like the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen and, ironically, its own sibling, the Range Rover.

The “One Ten” moniker referred to its 110-inch (2794mm) wheelbase, a crucial dimension that provided significantly more interior space than the 107-inch Two-Six. At launch, the vehicle was available with two engine options:

1. 2.5-litre Diesel (2.5D): The trusty, albeit slow and noisy, 2.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine, producing around 73 bhp. This was the budget-conscious choice, aimed at farmers, expeditions, and commercial users.
2. 3.5-litre V8 Petrol: The celebrated Rover V8, carried over from the Range Rover and Series III. With around 135 bhp, it offered vastly superior performance and refinement, albeit at a higher purchase price and fuel consumption.

Early “Series III” One Tens are easily identified by their external styling. They retained the classic rounded bonnet, separate headlights (though now mounted on a flatter grille panel), and the traditional steel “-sankey” wings. The interior, however, was a clear sign of things to come. The dashboard was a major upgrade, featuring a full “fascia” with a proper glovebox and a more car-like layout, a world away from the exposed metal and bolt-on instruments of earlier models.

Trim levels at this stage were relatively simple, reflecting the vehicle’s utilitarian roots, but with a nod to increasing comfort:

• Base: The most basic trim, often featuring vinyl seats, rubber flooring, and minimal interior trim. This was the workhorse spec.
• LWB (Long Wheelbase): The standard model designation.
• Vogue: A more upmarket trim, typically featuring improved seating (cloth or optional leather), a better-grade dashboard, and often color-coded wheels and trim. The “Vogue” name was a deliberate echo of the prestigious Range Rover Vogue, signalling Land Rover’s intent to elevate the One Ten’s status.

Land Rover also offered various specialist body styles from the factory, including a hardtop (van), a station wagon (SWB and LWB), a chassis cab for utility bodies, and even a fire truck conversion.

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The V8 Range Rover Engine Becomes Standard: The Rise of the One Ten County (1985-1988)

In 1985, Land Rover made a significant change under the bonnet. The 2.5-litre diesel engine was replaced by a more modern and powerful 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine (badged as 2.5 Td). This engine, which produced around 85 bhp, transformed the diesel model from a sluggish workhorse into a genuinely capable and drivable vehicle.

This period also saw the introduction of the most famous and desirable One Ten variant: the County Station Wagon. The County trim was designed to appeal to the family and leisure market, a role the Land Rover had traditionally struggled to fill due to its spartan nature. The County was, for all intents and purposes, the “luxury” One Ten.

Key features of the County specification included:

• Full-height upholstery: Cloth seats were standard, with plush velour or optional leather available.
• Woodgrain trim: The dashboard, door cards, and centre console were finished with attractive woodgrain-effect panels.
• Carpeting: Full carpeting replaced the rubber mats of the base models.
• Upgraded lighting and glass: Tinted glass and additional interior lights were common.
• Sunroof: A very popular option, often a two-piece tilt-and-slide unit.

While the County was the flagship, the standard One Ten continued to be offered in a more basic “Commercial” specification, aimed at tradespeople and fleets.

By 1986, the V8 engine became the standard engine for all petrol County models, solidifying its status as the premium variant. The 2.5 Td remained the sole diesel option for those prioritising economy and torque over outright speed.

The Final Evolution: The 1988 “Facelift” One Ten

The most significant change in the One Ten’s history occurred in 1988. The vehicle received a major, albeit subtle, facelift that modernised its appearance and integrated its styling with that of the brand-new, second-generation Range Rover (then known simply as the Range Rover). This update is the primary way enthusiasts distinguish later One Tens from earlier models.

The key external changes included:

• New front grille and wings: The classic rounded bonnet was replaced with a new, flatter, square-edged one. The headlights were moved from the grille panel onto the new wings, which were now wider and made of plastic (polypropylene). The grille itself was a black plastic unit with a simpler, more angular design.
• New wheel arches: The front and rear wings were now integrated with wider, black plastic wheel arch extensions.
• New bumpers: Black plastic bumpers replaced the earlier painted steel items.
• New wheels: The 16-inch “Boost” alloy wheels, famously used on the new Range Rover, were introduced as an option on the One Ten, alongside steel wheels.

Inside, the changes were less dramatic but still notable. The woodgrain trim on the County models was updated, and the overall fit and finish were improved. The 1988 facelift models are often referred to as the “Range Rover-influenced” One Tens.

At this point, the model range had been simplified and was now marketed as the Land Rover One Ten (no space), comprising:

• One Ten (Base/Commercial): The utilitarian workhorse, available with the 2.5 Td or 3.5 V8 engines. Usually fitted with steel wheels, basic interior, and often a van or soft-top body.
• One Ten County: The premium station wagon, almost exclusively powered by the 3.5 V8 engine. This was the top-of-the-line model, featuring the full wood/velour interior, alloy wheels, and extensive sound deadening. It was effectively Land Rover’s first seven-seat family luxury 4×4, a concept that would later define the Discovery.

Throughout its life, the One Ten was also offered with a range of special edition models, such as the “CSK” (a limited-run V8 performance model named after founder Maurice Spencer) and the “Freespirit,” which often featured unique color schemes and interior options. A very rare factory option was the Automatic transmission, primarily for the V8 engine, making it much more pleasant to drive in heavy traffic.

The End of an Era and the Legacy

In 1990, Land Rover underwent a major corporate rebranding. The company wanted to distance itself from its utilitarian past and align its models into clearer family lines. The “Land Rover One Ten” was renamed the Land Rover Defender 110. The “Defender” name had been introduced a year earlier for the updated Series III models, and it was now applied to the entire 4×4 range.

The One Ten was no more, but its spirit and architecture lived on. The Defender 110 continued with the same body shell and mechanicals, initially with the same engine options, before gradually receiving the 2.5-litre 200Tdi diesel engine in 1990 and subsequent updates.

The One Ten’s true legacy, however, is the Land Rover Discovery. Land Rover had recognized a gap in the market for a true seven-seat family 4×4 that was more comfortable than a Defender but more affordable than a Range Rover. The upcoming Discovery project (codenamed “Project Jay”) was, in its early stages, based heavily on the One Ten platform. It would use the same 110-inch wheelbase, a modified version of the same chassis, and similar suspension, but would be fitted with a new monocoque-style interior (the “NASA” tub) and the more powerful 2.5-litre 200Tdi engine. When the Discovery was launched in 1989, it was essentially a rebadged and rebodied One Ten County with a much more modern and family-friendly interior. This model would go on to become one of Land Rover’s best-selling vehicles of all time.

The One Ten Today: A Future as a Classic

Today, the Land Rover One Ten is a sought-after classic. It occupies a unique position in the market, seen as the last of the “simple” Land Rovers, yet the first to offer genuine comfort. They are prized by enthusiasts for their relative ease of maintenance compared to later, more electronically complex models, and for their rugged, timeless aesthetic.

Future outlook for the One Ten is bright. As modern Land Rovers become more reliant on complex electronics and become softer in their styling, the raw, analogue feel of the One Ten is increasingly appealing. Values for good, original examples, particularly V8 Counties, have been steadily rising. They are also highly desirable for “overlanding” and expedition builds, thanks to their robust construction and vast interior space.

For potential buyers, the choice largely comes down to engine and body style. The 3.5 V8 offers a wonderfully smooth and characterful driving experience, but is thirsty and requires more maintenance. The 2.5 Td is slower but famously durable and economical. The County is the most comfortable and collectible, while the basic Commercial offers a no-frills driving experience at a lower entry price.

The Land Rover One Ten was produced from 1983 to 1990, a relatively short seven-year lifespan, but in that time it fundamentally changed the perception of the Land Rover brand. It proved that a vehicle could be both a capable off-roader and a comfortable family hauler. It was the concrete bridge between the past and the future, and its design philosophy—of practical capability underpinned by comfort and refinement—is one that continues to influence Land Rover to this day. It wasn’t just an update to the Series III; it was the blueprint for the Land Rovers of the next thirty years.