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DCM
11-22-2006, 06:06 AM
Does anyone have any experience importing a "rebuilt" to order Series truck? I am looking at Liveridge4x4.com and LandRoverCentre.com. Seems like buying this way will get a more reliable and enjoyable truck for a reasonable price. Are there any places in the US that offer this service cost effectively?

I am looking to order a 109 5-door wagon with 200 TDI. Thanks!

Firemanshort
11-23-2006, 12:43 PM
I have used the Land Rover Centre in the UK twice now to import Land Rovers from the UK to Baltimore, MD. I have worked with Mark both times and he is absolutely going to go the extra mile for you. He will do just as much or as little as want.

My latest truck is a Stage One. The whole project got a little spendy - but I wanted to get as much work done in the UK because your money goes a lot farther over there than over here - even if you do the work yourself over here in the US.

I have visited his lot and showroom several times (my wife's parents live close by). He really does work with clean and unmolested trucks and does a good job of performing the rebuild. His build quality is not up to ECR standards but his prices are no where near ECR, as well.

I highly recommend using Mark and the Land Rover Centre. I know that he has a early model 1983 D110 5 door that he is going to put a 300Tdi into and make better than new with the intent to sell for near $30k US dollars. If you got time to wait and money to spend then he will be your man.

-Firemanshort
http://www.geocities.com/firemanshort/StageOne/StageOnedshortsmall.jpg

Jeff Aronson
11-27-2006, 07:00 PM
Does anyone have any experience importing a "rebuilt" to order Series truck? I am looking at Liveridge4x4.com and LandRoverCentre.com. Seems like buying this way will get a more reliable and enjoyable truck for a reasonable price. Are there any places in the US that offer this service cost effectively?

I am looking to order a 109 5-door wagon with 200 TDI. Thanks!
I've never worked with any UK restoration/refubishment firm, but I have seen the work done by East Coast Rover [Warren, ME], the 4 x 4 Center [Williston, VT], Cooper Technica [Chicago] and Ship's Mechanical Services [Portland, OR]. Many Land Rover clubs in the US know of specialty shops in their regions which can perform quality work on refurbished Series Rovers.

I am hugely satisfied with the refurbishment on my '66 Rover by East Coast Rover, using parts from Rovers North. ECR did not use any custom parts on my car, but I've seen their handiwork installing diesel Land Rover engines in Series and Defender vehicles. It's all quite impressive.

Many ex-pat Brits will tell you that there's perhaps more appreciation for Series Rovers in the US than in England, and that there's more product knowledge here about Series Rovers than in the UK. After all, they've had decades of Defenders to work on, too :).

Whatever your decision, share photos of your selected Rover with us!

Jeff

DCM
11-28-2006, 02:59 PM
Thanks for the responses. ECR is obviously excellent but they are completely overbooked for a while (although they do have a nice Series III for sale now). I will look into the other local shops and take my time, and will certainly post pictures. By the way, how do your families/wife like your Series? Thanks again.

Also, beautiful Rover fireandshort.

Luke
11-29-2006, 08:03 AM
Many ex-pat Brits will tell you that there's perhaps more appreciation for Series Rovers in the US than in England, and that there's more product knowledge here about Series Rovers than in the UK. After all, they've had decades of Defenders to work on, too :).


This is a great point and one that I've mentioned on other forums before now. In the UK a series Land Rover has actually become something of a rare sight on the roads, I think for several reasons. Firstly, early 90s and 110s go for roughly the same money now and the majority of people want the newer models. They were also so numerous, for so long, that appreciation of them as 'classics' took much longer than other cars from the same era, with the result that many series vehicles were parked up and rotted out before people - even enthusiasts - realised they were worth saving. Also, they've never enjoyed quite the same image there as they seem to here. The majority of Brits still seem to think of old Land Rovers as being the preserve of flea-bitten farmers or travelling gypsies whereas over here series trucks seem to conjure up images of safaris, deserts and Daktari. While the 25 year rule is a pain in the rear for anyone wanting to import a coiler, I have to say I think we should be thankful as enthusiasts that it's created something of a false market in which series vehicles have thrived to an age where they can be truly regarded as classics in their own right.

I have to say I find it a lot more enjoyable owning a series vehicle in the US than I did in the UK. Although there is a downside in the expense of spares, the upside is that the problems I envisaged in obtaining them have never materialised. And it's more fun driving a series here too. The speed limits and traffic volumes are more suited to their plodding progress and the amount of interest they generate wherever they go makes ownership a real pleasure, even (or perhaps especially) if you happen to have the bonnet up at the time!! :D

And I would agree wholeheartedly with Jeffs point about knowledge. I've always done all work on my own series vehicles myself, simply because I had difficulty in finding anyone in the UK who would touch anything without an OBDII port. Over here though I've found three shops within 20 miles who not only understand what I'm saying but actually specialise in British vehicles like this. And what's more I don't get treated like a leper anymore at Land Rover dealerships, people there are actually interested. Funny how life works isn't it? :D

Cheers
Luke