Mojave Rover
02-24-2008, 08:45 PM
Been reading on the Forum for a while now and I felt it was time to get on board. Found an old '68 Series IIa at a local auction here in the Mojave desert (Pahrump, NV). I believe she was a plow from West Virginia at one time. Frame was shot. Well, like all Rover enthusiasts, love at first sight.:) Picked her up for a song, $125.:p I was bidding against metal salvagers! Complete aside for a turn signal. A couple of days after the auction I wandered the property and, after pawing through around 2,000 tires, found the original 15" wheels in a trailer. Tires were everywhere and it took two days. The guy was a pack rat regarding vehicles.
She is currently stripped down and in pieces in the garage awaiting a frame off rebuild, which will commence over the next few months. Just waited to get enough money. That being said, engine and trans only need to be resealed. Holding all the fluids. When I drained the oil, it looked like it had just come from a fresh lube joint - clean and golden. Popped off a couple of covers and the gearing is perfect, no chips. Interior of trans and transfer case look new. The Rover just sat in the desert, the best preservative, for over twenty years. Last registration was 1985. I know I am rambling on, but it was quite a find. Have a rolling chassis I picked up off ebay about a year ago. Needs minor work, but in good shape.
Well, as I said, looking forward to learning more as I rebuild the thing. Dissertation or Rover. It's tough, but there are tons of ghost towns to visit and I need wheels. Just wanted to say Hello and I look forward to learning more about my Rover.
Here is a link to the auction, they removed the Rover snap:
http://www.nyeauction.com/auctions/2006/auction_060306pg1_brown.html
Found the tires in this mess:
http://www.nyeauction.com/images/DSCF1902.JPG
She is currently stripped down and in pieces in the garage awaiting a frame off rebuild, which will commence over the next few months. Just waited to get enough money. That being said, engine and trans only need to be resealed. Holding all the fluids. When I drained the oil, it looked like it had just come from a fresh lube joint - clean and golden. Popped off a couple of covers and the gearing is perfect, no chips. Interior of trans and transfer case look new. The Rover just sat in the desert, the best preservative, for over twenty years. Last registration was 1985. I know I am rambling on, but it was quite a find. Have a rolling chassis I picked up off ebay about a year ago. Needs minor work, but in good shape.
Well, as I said, looking forward to learning more as I rebuild the thing. Dissertation or Rover. It's tough, but there are tons of ghost towns to visit and I need wheels. Just wanted to say Hello and I look forward to learning more about my Rover.
Here is a link to the auction, they removed the Rover snap:
http://www.nyeauction.com/auctions/2006/auction_060306pg1_brown.html
Found the tires in this mess:
http://www.nyeauction.com/images/DSCF1902.JPG