76LR3S008 Oxford Diecast Land Rover Series III Royal Mail

This short wheelbase Land Rover Series III proved highly popular when Oxford first released it in 1:43 scale. It now makes its 1:76 scale appearance in exactly the same Royal Mail livery. It is decorated in bright pillar box red with a white roof and black interior, registered MFS 345P from 1975. The number plate is fixed to the centre of the grille on this release and there is also an additional board fixed to the white bumper printed KINGIE. The exterior is also finished with contrasting silver trim.

The Series 3 Land Rover was manufactured between 1971 and 1985 and was the most popular of the Series vehicles with Land Rover producing over 440,000 of them. It had a 4-speed gearbox with a selectable 4-wheel drive option and a choice of petrol or diesel fuel.

Royal Mail used specially adapted Land Rovers incorporating a closed rear section with large windows for better visibility of the mail being transported. The rear compartment was designed to accommodate postal workers and their mailbags securely. The vehicle also had additional storage compartments for sorting mail and carrying postal equipment. True to Land Rover tradition, it was also most suitable for traversing rough ground to access rural and isolated locations.