Project Inizio: Reimagining The Land Rover Series III For The Modern Trail

For off-road enthusiasts, the original Land Rover Series trucks represent something increasingly rare in today’s automotive world: mechanical honesty. Flat body panels, an upright windscreen, exposed hardware, and a drivetrain you can understand just by looking at it. With Project Inizio, ECD Automotive Design proves that this purity doesn’t have to be sacrificed to gain modern performance, reliability, and comfort.

Known as the world’s largest Land Rover and Jaguar restoration company, ECD Automotive Design has built its reputation on bespoke Defenders and Range Rovers. Project Inizio serves as a rolling case study in what happens when a classic Series platform is thoughtfully modernized without losing the elemental DNA that made it an icon in the first place.

A Series Platform As A Mechanical Canvas

Rather than recreating a factory-correct restoration tied to a specific year or market, Project Inizio was conceived as a demonstration of possibility. The Series III platform is treated as a blank canvas defined by timeless proportions and utilitarian intent, then elevated through carefully selected modern components.

The exterior remains unmistakably Series. The compact 88-inch wheelbase, upright glass, galvanized accents, and traditional soft-top configuration all remain intact. OEM-style steel wheels finished in black and wrapped in BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires reinforce the truck’s honest, work-ready stance, while the Land Rover Mid Grey paint pays tribute to its heritage without drifting into nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.

Modern Power Beneath A Classic Skin

Where Project Inizio truly separates itself is under the skin. Power comes from a GM 6.2-liter LS3 V8, a proven modern performance engine known for its reliability, smooth power delivery, and massive aftermarket support. Paired with a GM Auto Sport six-speed automatic transmission, the drivetrain transforms the driving experience from agricultural to effortlessly capable.

Supporting hardware brings the chassis up to modern expectations as well. Heavy-duty axles provide the strength needed to handle the LS3’s output, while EBC FAST brakes dramatically improve stopping power and control. A Borla stainless exhaust system completes the package, delivering a tone that feels purposeful without overwhelming the minimalist character of the truck.

ECD’s air ride suspension further bridges the gap between classic and contemporary, improving ride quality and adaptability while maintaining the visual simplicity that Series purists appreciate.

Interior: Vintage Form, Modern Function

Inside, Project Inizio balances restraint with technology. The seating layout remains true to the Series ethos with a 2+4 configuration, using OEM low-back bucket seats wrapped in Garrett leather finished in Avion Caramel with Avion Coal accents. Vertical fluted stitching on the seat inserts adds subtle craftsmanship without feeling out of place.

The Puma-style dashboard is wrapped in approved tan leather, with contrasting black leather on the instrument cluster cover and glove box. Dakota Digital VHX-1018 gauges housed in black alloy provide crisp, white-lit readouts that deliver modern accuracy while respecting the simplicity of the original layout.

Creature comforts are present but discreet. A halo-style touchscreen stereo with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay integrates Pioneer speakers and a subwoofer, while backup camera functionality, remote locking, alarm, and remote start bring everyday usability into the equation without compromising the truck’s character.

Built To Be Driven, Not Just Admired

“Project Inizio represents something ECD does best, respecting the legacy while thoughtfully enhancing every touchpoint,” said Scott Wallace, CEO and Co-Founder of ECD Automotive Design. “It’s a Series III built to be driven, enjoyed, and appreciated for decades to come.”

That philosophy is evident throughout the build. From the galvanized OEM-style bumpers to the Surrey canvas extended bikini top finished in sand, every component serves a functional purpose. This is not a museum piece. It’s a classic reengineered to handle modern roads, trails, and expectations without pretending to be something it isn’t.