To restore or purchase already restored?

[Billy5]

I had to chuckle reading this. As most are aware I am first time series/ Land Rover owner. I had the same questions when looking. I got mine through the forums on here as a matter of fact. My preferences when lookingwere as stated A) what my use of it---to drive it and not worry about breathing on it, or winning a show. Not that theres anything wrong with that but its not me. I despise a car payment even though I just got one, which made me do what I am doing now ( get to that in a second). B) I wanted one that was clean, and not mucked with to badly. If its left stock as much as possible, I know what I got for future parts and repairs. If mucked with it can be a crapshoot on what is really there. I was very lucky, the PO gave me volumes of information in binders etc. Price ranges are all over. Mine is a driver, that was maintained but old. Everything started to leak from everyday use, and I am fine with that. Which leads to where I am now. In a "rebuild" mode. I think of it as a major cleaning and service. The front end is off, the engine is out. Bulkhead sanded and wire brushed and primed with rust encapsulator.Engine will be resealed, head rebuilt etc..why you ask if it was drivable? I am crazy. But I have plenty of tools, know paint work, and fairly mechanical. I also enjoy it. I consider it paying back to a vehicle that gave so much to others including me. My one eyed uncle and I towed it back from Indiana so there is my connection.
In summary:
A) Whats the use of it?
B) How much can you spend upfront?
c) As asked what skills do you have, and which is better off left to others?
d) Do you have stock in Speedi Dry?
Good luck!

[osajaj]

I agree with everyone....that's a very politician-esq answer. I searched high and low for a good solid running truck that needed a new caring owner. I hit that range 6-8k....actually lower, guy didn't see what he had. I drove it, bonded with it, fixed things that broke and needed replacing, all the while squirreling some $$ away. 4 years later, after driving and fixing it my wife had bought me a galvanized chassis (yep wife took the plunge for me). I was smart though and created memories for her, like proposing and faking a breakdown. Having said that, with the money saved and now a fresh chassis i thought long and hard and wanted to put another 50 years under her belt. I pulled the trigger and am having everything gone through, cleaned, painted, working right, etc. For me its about keeping my memories that i made in the truck and making new ones with my new family. I am not trying to get my money back, just my fun out of the truck. That's my two cents. So if you have the money and its another car, go for something done that you can drive. If you have just enough money get something running you can tinker and drive when you want. And if you are typing on this forum via your private plane, buy a Lanny Clark Rover.

[bugeye88]

Teriann,
Things are getting colder here also. Her's a pic from last year of my 69 Bug Eye 88 in Park City. I think this year will be even more snow!.
Cheers,
Rob

[rstl99]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts on this issue.
Now considering a couple of late SII's I have seen in the last week or so, with my eyes. One is fairly well restored, the other is restorable. Given the sellers both want roughly the same price, the choice would be an easy one. Looking into details of the restored one...

[REDrum]

If you want a weekend truck you can drive around on and off-road right now, and tinker with in your spare time, buy somthing (r)overhauled already for $15 to 20K

If you want the experience and "wrench therapy" from finding the all the corrective repair and end of life parts, buy something used for $5 to 10K, and then spend another $10 to 15K, and 5 years of your life, sorting it all out.

[o2batsea]

Buy that sweet as hell limestone 110 from Clay in Leesburg. What a truck. Priced well, ready to rock. LHD, beautifiul. Roverites will drool and everyone else will do double takes.

[Jester065]

I feel as though I am the only one who doesn't understand the caveat.

That's more the "trophy wife" syndrome if you ask me, which you didn't but I'll give my opinion anyway. Since I can't even financially fathom buying one of those I'll let those who can determine their "value".


Oh...and good use of the term "theorem" and "caveat"....bonus points are awarded!

[Star27buck]

Despite what the sellers claim, there is a chassis replacement in everyone's future....less worse with a truck that has already had a galvanized replacement fitted. They rust from the inside unless cared for religiously. The bulkhead will eventually go.

If the choices you are reviewing have had galvanized chassis replacement, it's worth the extra cost.

[SafeAirOne]

I feel as though I am the only one who doesn't understand the caveat.

I didn't want to read through this whole thread again, but I think the gist was that Lanny Clark is probably one of the few people for whom a Series land rover actually IS an investment and who can recoup his costs and actually make a couple of bucks by restoring a rover. I'm confident that few businesses can say this and even fewer owners can say this.

[tolonian]

After reading the whole thread....did the OP buy a project or restored truck?!