No.3 in the Esso Series was another AA (Automobile Association) vehicle which Morris & Stone called a 'Jeep' but which was in fact a Land Rover.

 

Designed as a conventional 'body & base' model, the AA Land Rover was a more straightforward casting than the AA/RAC motorcycles requiring just two main sections. The four wheels were metal. On early versions the bonnet casting included a hole for a spare wheel to be attached using a short flat-head pin which was crimped on the inside.

 

The body had quite good detail on the front and 'AA Road Service' on each side but at the rear there was no attempt to include windows or tailgate unlike the similar Benbros version (Mighty Midget No.34).

 

The base slotted into the body at the front below the bumper and was rivetted at the rear. It included a driver and four axle holders for the wheels, and had 'Made in England' cast in the centre. 

 

No.3 AA Land Rover was painted yellow both inside and out including the base. The first models (or possibly pre-production ones) had a brown canvas-effect roof, silver trim on the front, and no black trim on the sides, but all subsequent issues had a black glossy roof and overpainted trim on the side castings, with no silver trim added to the front grille or bumper.

 

The large metal wheels including the spare when added were painted black. The axles were flat-head & crimped.

 

Apart from the silver trim and the spare wheel, there were no changes to the AA Land Rover. The paint finish on them, especially early production models, was prone to peeling and it did not have a long run. It was not included in the Budgie Miniatures range. 

 

The AA Land Rover appeared in two variations of Esso Petrol Pump boxes, both showing a line-drawing of a model with a spare wheel on the bonnet. The second box had a large number added above the picture. Printed on the base flap was the usual Garage Offer and a Coupon was included inside. Later boxes had the flap overstamped with the offer-end date.

 

Although a neat model better made than the Benbros version, No.3 AA Land Rover is not easy to find in mint condition. The variations with a spare wheel on the bonnet are rare.