Singapore Defenders Anyone?

[mike375]

This is not spam(at least not from me) - I have posted here before. Just saw this ad on land rover exchange. Anyone else seen this? Does it sound like a scam? Sounds too good to be true - but for $3,400 what could go wrong???(famous last words) only problem is they are selling them in lots of 10....are there 9 other suckers out there??? count me in!



Advertisement to SELL; Product: 1985 OTHER LAND ROVER ; Price: 3400; (Currency: US Dollars);
Land Rover FFR 110 Military Vehicles
We are selling Land Rover FFR 110 Military vehicles. These are USED vehicles. Stock in Singapore. Right Hand Drive, Manual, 2.5L DIESEL engine. These were used by the Singapore Army and were bought in the 1980s. All vehicles in working condition, ie we have test start these cars. Vehicles will be sold as it is basis. Need to service vehicles as they have been laid up for a while. Price Ex-works Singapore. Selling in BULK of 10 vehicles. We are also offering Land Rover 110 car parts like engine, axle front and rear, Tyre with rims. Email for more details and pictures if interested. Shipping will be on buyers account, We will assist with shipping estimate,just let us know which port you need the vehicles to be shipped.
Wilfred P SINGAPORE.
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore - 15 May 2010

[badvibes]

Did you even look at your post? We're supposed to read that??? :confused:

[SafeAirOne]

I'll save everyone the arduous task of highlighting the yellow text with their cursor:






Advertisement to SELL; Product: 1985 OTHER LAND ROVER ; Price: 3400; (Currency: US Dollars);
Land Rover FFR 110 Military Vehicles
We are selling Land Rover FFR 110 Military vehicles. These are USED vehicles. Stock in Singapore. Right Hand Drive, Manual, 2.5L DIESEL engine. These were used by the Singapore Army and were bought in the 1980s. All vehicles in working condition, ie we have test start these cars. Vehicles will be sold as it is basis. Need to service vehicles as they have been laid up for a while. Price Ex-works Singapore. Selling in BULK of 10 vehicles. We are also offering Land Rover 110 car parts like engine, axle front and rear, Tyre with rims. Email for more details and pictures if interested. Shipping will be on buyers account, We will assist with shipping estimate,just let us know which port you need the vehicles to be shipped.
Wilfred P SINGAPORE.
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore - 15 May 2010

[bkreutz]

Wilfred P Singapore from Singapore??? :confused: Wonder if this guy has relatives that send out emails from Africa?:rolleyes:

[4flattires]

Here's a link with a pic.

Do some research on the company if you are interested in pursuing. You can always call the phone number listed for Mr Wilfred. Click on his name and email him.

http://www.ecplaza.net/tradeleads/seller/6547841/land_rover_110_ffr_military.html#none

[crankin]

Here's a link with a pic.

Do some research on the company if you are interested in pursuing. You can always call the phone number listed for Mr Wilfred. Click on his name and email him.

http://www.ecplaza.net/tradeleads/seller/6547841/land_rover_110_ffr_military.html#none

So, I looked up the company's website..."We trade worldwide in Sugar & Metal scrap like HMS, and non-ferrous metal scrap like Copper scraps, stainless steel scrap, Alumumim scrap and Ingot."

Alumumim scrap...Hehe...that's why they bought the 110's! :p

[crankin]

At first it doesn't seem like a bad deal. However, you will need to think about shipping from Singapore and customs here in the states. You can get two trucks into a container…so, you will have to get 10 people to go into buying the trucks and then get in with another person to purchase a container. A container from Singapore would be pretty pricey.

Someone will need to clean the underbody, drain the fluids, etc… and make sure that no mud, weeds, seeds, etc…are coming over here to the states.

You will certainly have to make sure that they are all 25 years or older....or they will be detained at port and will have to be brought to NAD specs to leave the lot ($$$). And there are only certain mechanics that have the blessing from the port authority to work on Defenders.

And last but not least, I am not sure how it will work but if 10 trucks come into port and ONE is detained, I would imagine that the whole shipment would be detained. I would suspect that the amount of red tape to get these cleared would be ridiculous. And by the time it is all said and done…$3500 has became $6500.

Now…after saying all that…it would be crazy neat to have a MINDEF vehicle. I would bet that these 10 people would be the only 10 in the states with one.

My 2¢.

[mike375]

Sorry for the yellow highlighted post - should have fixed that.

[amcordo]

If you can haggle the guy down to a trade of email addresses he can talk about his uncle who is the king of Nigeria in exchange for one of the cars and shipping I'm in.

[greenmeanie]

Someone will need to clean the underbody, drain the fluids, etc… and make sure that no mud, weeds, seeds, etc…are coming over here to the states.



Someone will need to clean the entire body but they don't have to drain fluids. General advice is to limit fuel in the tank to a couple of gallons but the rest is considered part of the vehicle.

[galen216]

If they are running vehicles no need for a container since RO-RO is a far better option pricewise.

[Cutter]

I see that advert every time, I wonder if that is per vehicle cost, or just a random number he put in. Cool trucks!

[thixon]

Okay,

I have good friend in Singapore. I'm also heading there in September for the F1 race.

If anyone here is interested, I can ask my friend to check out the validity of the add. And just out of curiosity, how much does everyone here think an FFR would go for in the states? Isnt the 2.5 deisel kind of a dog?

[gambrinus]

A fair price for one of those trucks sitting in the U.S. would be in the $10 - $15K range. So, if everything is on the up and up, you could make a few$$. Buying a lot of 10, you'd have savings on shipping and customs if there were all on the same bill of lading. Good luck.


Rw

[mrdoiron]

A fair price for one of those trucks sitting in the U.S. would be in the $10 - $15K range. So, if everything is on the up and up, you could make a few$$. Buying a lot of 10, you'd have savings on shipping and customs if there were all on the same bill of lading. Good luck.


Rw
I have a co-worker living in Singapore checking it out - let you know what he finds...

[mrdoiron]

I have a co-worker living in Singapore checking it out - let you know what he finds...
I do believe however , that an individual is only allowed to import 1 vehicle...

[thixon]

I do believe however , that an individual is only allowed to import 1 vehicle...

Not an issue. One of my associates has a dealers license.

Since you've already started checking into it, post what you find out.

[mrdoiron]

Not an issue. One of my associates has a dealers license.

Since you've already started checking into it, post what you find out.
Buddy HS Lim just talked with him...Since I would need to max the use on athe container already being paid for, would make sense to max that shipment, and apparently 3 can fit in one container.
I guess if I put 3 individuals names, one for each vehicle I should be ok.

[mrdoiron]

Buddy HS Lim just talked with him...Since I would need to max the use on athe container already being paid for, would make sense to max that shipment, and apparently 3 can fit in one container.
I guess if I put 3 individuals names, one for each vehicle I should be ok.

He gave me 5 "engine chassis numbers " as below, but not sure how to translate those to VIN or yr of mfg, as they need to by >25yr old to import...

1. E 18J 00030; C233565
2. E 18J00528; C226574
3. E 18J 00375; C231058
4. E 18J 00633; C233741

Anyone have an idea how to get the DNA on these ?

[mrdoiron]

He gave me 5 "engine chassis numbers " as below, but not sure how to translate those to VIN or yr of mfg, as they need to by >25yr old to import...

1. E 18J 00030; C233565
2. E 18J00528; C226574
3. E 18J 00375; C231058
4. E 18J 00633; C233741

Anyone have an idea how to get the DNA on these ?

Any chance someone knows how to interpret these "engine chassis #'s" to something understandable - then get the year of mfg?

It is possible what he provided are some military only number??
thx

[yorker]

18j may be diesel engine code and I assume the engine serial #. 19j was the 2.5l Turbo diesel IIRC.

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=19726

[yorker]

He gave me 5 "engine chassis numbers " as below, but not sure how to translate those to VIN or yr of mfg, as they need to by >25yr old to import...

1. E 18J 00030; C233565
2. E 18J00528; C226574
3. E 18J 00375; C231058
4. E 18J 00633; C233741

Anyone have an idea how to get the DNA on these ?



you need the VIN like this;
SALLDHAC7BA225082

SAL Manufacturer code: Land Rover
LD Model: Defender (for early models: Ninety, or One Ten)
H Wheel base: 110 inch
A Body type: 2-door: Pickup, hood cab, truck cab, or soft/hard top
C Engine type: 2.5 litre diesel (model 12J)
7 Steering and transmission: Right-hand drive (RHD), 5-speed manual (LT85, LT77, LT77S, R380 or other)
B Model year: 1985 to 1987
A Assembly location: Solihull, UK
225082 Serial number
http://eu.ironplanet.com/jsp/s/item/258558/Truck%3A---General/Land-Rover/Defender-110/Used/SGP,-SGP


then plug it in here:
http://www.clifton.nl/

the 6 digit code with the c prefix MAY be the last 6 numbers of the VIN:
SALLDHAC7BA233565

[mrdoiron]

18j may be diesel engine code and I assume the engine serial #. 19j was the 2.5l Turbo diesel IIRC.

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=19726

thanks, you may be right... still cannot determine if there is a reference chart to help decode somewhere, came up blank online search.

[yorker]

I suspect 18j's might be 24v 12j diesels. it is only a guess though. Defenders of that vintage should have 12j engines.

[edit] I think the E in the info you were given indicates the engine model# and serial## and I am willing to bet the C for the second # = "chassis" , in other words it was just shorthand from the seller, ex:

1. E(ngine) 18J 00030; C(hassis) 233565

2. E 18J 00528; C 226574
3. E 18J 00375; C 231058
4. E 18J 00633; C 233741

You need to ask for the "SALLDHAC7BA" part.

[mrdoiron]

I suspect 18j's might be 24v 12j diesels. it is only a guess though. Defenders of that vintage should have 12j engines.

[edit] I think the E in the info you were given indicates the engine model# and serial## and I am willing to bet the C for the second # = "chassis" , in other words it was just shorthand from the seller, ex:

1. E(ngine) 18J 00030; C(hassis) 233565

2. E 18J 00528; C 226574
3. E 18J 00375; C 231058
4. E 18J 00633; C 233741

You need to ask for the "SALLDHAC7BA" part.

Great DNA breakdown, this makes sense. I will request the first 11 digits also... my sense is since it is a lot of vehicles this is all he had at the time...

thanks

[yorker]

I imagine they didn't bother giving you the initial portion of the VIN because, if these vehicles were all bought as one contract, those initial 11 digits would be identical amongst all the 110s purchased.

[ArlowCT]

If the price is right and all the info pans out and you need some more buyers my wife and I would be more than happy to buy 2.

Will be keeping a eye on this thread as info comes in.

Cheers

[mrdoiron]

I imagine they didn't bother giving you the initial portion of the VIN because, if these vehicles were all bought as one contract, those initial 11 digits would be identical amongst all the 110s purchased.

The VINS I now have,
They do all start the same, as SALLDHAC7BA+chassis s/n's.

From this it seems they are 1985-87 vintage, and no apparent guarantee on being 25yrs or older... as they could be 87... any other way anyone knows of the age with only VIN and no other docs. I think there will be a problem importing if the VIN doesn't clearly indicate 25yrs, like if the 10th character was an A rather than a B.

??

[Rineheitzgabot]

If this vast, pool of Land Rover knowledge cannot positively determine what year those things are, how is customs going to do it? I am serious. What method do they use in determining this? I would be surprised if it were a good method.

Although, I bet with the kind of power they wield, it doesn't really matter huh?;)

[bkreutz]

The way I break that VIN is model year 1981, A is 1980 but the 17 digit VIN came into use in 81, then went up 1 letter each year (but skipped the "I" because of possible confusion with the numeral "1") the first part with all the letters indicates country of origin, manufacturer, model, assembly plant, etc. I'd have to find one of my old books to get the exact breakout. I do remember that the "S" was England and "AL" is Land Rover. (another example is WVW which is a German made VW as opposed to 1VW which is a US made VW)

[mrdoiron]

If this vast, pool of Land Rover knowledge cannot positively determine what year those things are, how is customs going to do it? I am serious. What method do they use in determining this? I would be surprised if it were a good method.

Although, I bet with the kind of power they wield, it doesn't really matter huh?;)
Good point - no doubt Land Rover can pinpoint better with the VIN.
I think the issue here as Wilfred described to me, is that in this situation this company (Alum scrap oriented I believe) purchased these lots of older Defenders with the intent to scrap I guess... and as such have no associated documentation which is usually supplied. So here they are now selling these off, as I understand he has a buyer for the lot but was willing to strip off a few to ship over... but unfortunately no ajoining documentation which would normally be the link to the VIN / Year...

sucks, as they are generally in good shape on the pics he sent, just batteries mostly dead as they've been sitting so long.

mike

[yorker]

Find someone in Canadia to import them 'til you sort out the exact years.

[mrdoiron]

If the price is right and all the info pans out and you need some more buyers my wife and I would be more than happy to buy 2.

Will be keeping a eye on this thread as info comes in.

Cheers
I have 4 only that are isolated to the 85-87 age bracket based on the VIN#, and 87 is exempt from the 25yr requirement. So unlikely they would be challenged if "called" 1985 units as there are no documents as they came from the military, and the VIN guarantees 1985-87 (only 1 yr risk as I see it)...so I may take the risk and ship in 2... the container will hold 2 per @ ~$4k. There are minor other costs to transport to the port as the batteries are dead, plus to get them cleaned to ensure customs are happy (couple hundred is est), so @ $3400/ea plus shipping split for 2/container makes each approx $5400. I would to bring them into the Houston Port, so then transportation to Dallas from there as well for me...So couple more things to work out next week to see if it'll fly.

[Broadstone]

Customs is very strict on proof of ownership, and without any paperwork such as foreign title or military release papers in your name you are taking quite a gamble. The research you do on vin numbers means nothing to the customs agent. I was under the impression it needs to be officially issued proof of ownership documents. This is just from my import experience.

[mrdoiron]

Customs is very strict on proof of ownership, and without any paperwork such as foreign title or military release papers in your name you are taking quite a gamble. The research you do on vin numbers means nothing to the customs agent. I was under the impression it needs to be officially issued proof of ownership documents. This is just from my import experience.

Hmmm, I know some guys in Singapore...perhaps I can get them to look into getting the ownership first to their name on that side, then ship over ?

[greenmeanie]

To echo Broadstone, if it has never been registered in private ownership you'll need the military cast papers. Equally you will need a letter from the manufacturer i.e. Landrover providing offical build date information. THere is a bloke at LR who does this but I don't have his details as all my 101 stuff is packed away for a move.

[mrdoiron]

To echo Broadstone, if it has never been registered in private ownership you'll need the military cast papers. Equally you will need a letter from the manufacturer i.e. Landrover providing offical build date information. THere is a bloke at LR who does this but I don't have his details as all my 101 stuff is packed away for a move.
Thanks, I agree.
I contacted the Heritage Motor Ctr listed at http://www.lrfaq.org/Series/FAQ.S.Chassis.tracing.html

-- will post an fyi if I get anything there.

mike

[Les Parker]

Any further info on these? Were they imported? I have an enquiry for an 18J Engine parts, would like to know if others have this engine type.

[cedryck]

There on old Post Office saying "If it sounds too good to be true, It probably is!"