Found One!

[greenmeanie]

Nick,
There are a few inconsistences in the story. If this truck was orderd by the Ugandan governement then it is not Ex MOD. It may be ex Ugandan military but in LR parlance MOD trucks belonged to the British. IT sounds like someone is spinning a few stories to make the vehicle more marketable. If you have the VIN we should be able to give you an idea of its original build.

My one caveat here would be that if this truck is an import I would want the associated paperwork with it. Even although it is unlikely to be a problem all it takes is an over zealous lawyer in the event of an accident and...

[NickDawson]

Nick,
There are a few inconsistences in the story. If this truck was orderd by the Ugandan governement then it is not Ex MOD. It may be ex Ugandan military but in LR parlance MOD trucks belonged to the British.

Totally agree - its painted military green and thats about where the similarities end. But it has some neat touches like the door vents and work lights (not worth much in terms of $ but some added flair)

Good point on the paperwork - clean title would be important, I'll check into that.

Thanks!
-N

[Rineheitzgabot]

According to the LRFAQ website (A registry of VIN's), the following information was given, about the vehicle you are referring to:

25900591, 05 May 1972, 05 Jun 1972, Marine Blue, PED Schindelman, USA

I don't know if this is accurate or not, but usually they are.

PED Schindleman? USA? Marine Blue? Seems a little odd.

Who knows, the guys selling it may have bought the story hook line and you know what.

Of course, none of this means that the vehicle is worthless, just that, the facts aren't completely straight (if the LRFAQ website is correct).

Good luck,
Gary

[greenmeanie]

Good point on the paperwork - clean title would be important, I'll check into that.
-N

Be careful as a clean title means nothing when it comes to a legal import. If you want an idea just go to any forum and start reading about importing Defenders and you'll understand. You need the customs and EPA paper work to be truly legit. Again this is not such a big issue for a series but you have to think about when it was brought over and not the vehicle's age now.

[NickDawson]

I know the prevailing thoughts on UK imports...
but is there anyone in the Norfolk, England that wants to do some field research for me ?
This guy is priced too low to be of any quality but my interest is piqued nonetheless

[daveb]

well, you tell us. what do you like about that one?

I know the prevailing thoughts on UK imports...
but is there anyone in the Norfolk, England that wants to do some field research for me ?
This guy is priced too low to be of any quality but my interest is piqued nonetheless

[NickDawson]

well, you tell us. what do you like about that one?

Truthfully nothing besides the RHD...and even then, I'm not sure its worth the hassle. Mostly just making a list for compairion...
What does a $5K "project" look like vs something in the $10K range in good shape.

The Brit import ebay special is not really in the running for me...just a lark

[daveb]

*every* land rover is a project. from the time you set foot in in it until the day you wave goodbye as it drives away with a new owner.

A 5k *project* can look ten times better than a 10k truck in good shape, depending on whose point of view you are looking at it from. in my opinion the expensive trucks are usually expensive for all the wrong reasons. not always, but usually it is either someone trying to make a fast buck or recoup their own losses on an ill-advised purchase. of course the truly nice ones are out there. but it is often hard to tell from a photo, especially when you haven't been there and done that.

that ebay UK truck is priced for a US sucker. it has the typical hasty respray with overspray visible around the rear crossmember. the bumper is a cheesy piece of square tube. the galvanised bits are painted silver. the range rover wheels have had the centers hogged out to fit over the series hubs- those wheels don't fit series trucks without some doing. the interior looks like s**t. the seller is touting it as something special and even goes so far as to describe the standard features as some sort of custom mod. what a loser.

there are plenty of good trucks out west. you'd do much better looking out there I think. In any case, keep looking.

Truthfully nothing besides the RHD...and even then, I'm not sure its worth the hassle. Mostly just making a list for compairion...
What does a $5K "project" look like vs something in the $10K range in good shape.

[NickDawson]

that ebay UK truck is priced for a US sucker. the interior looks like s**t. the seller is touting it as something special and even goes so far as to describe the standard features as some sort of custom mod. what a loser. .

Agree - again, posted it as a joke...

That said, I have found some new listings for stuff in the $5K range - in the process of sorting them out before I beg someone 1/2 way across the country to look for me.

No point in reiterating what has been said several times...its just a matter of inventory vs budget vs time. Whats out there...what does it need...can I afford that in terms of both time and budget and will it be enjoyable right away (IE not having to drop a new motor in)....

The good news is that I've a short list and my eye is becoming more educated by the day thanks to this board.

I'm going to heed Jeff's advice and not mourn any that get away, but this one in Virginia (the Green guy from this weekend) is a contender if we decide to splurge a little more than we had planned.

[bmohan55]

The grab handles on the front doors are upside down, may be indicitive of the quality of restoration.

It probably stalled out trying to climb that hill and couldn't be restarted!

[LaneRover]

I personally liked that high quality front bumper!

Maybe it was thinner to give a greater approach angle!

[NickDawson]

I personally liked that high quality front bumper!

Maybe it was thinner to give a greater approach angle!

What were they thinking - thats a "feature"

[Eric W S]

The grab handles on the front doors are upside down, may be indicitive of the quality of restoration.

It probably stalled out trying to climb that hill and couldn't be restarted!

That and the early range rover wheels. . . Complete quality job that one...

[NickDawson]

Is this a bug eye? Looks like one to me... pricey but guy sounds motovated

[scott]

yep it's a bugeye. they where built in 68 but if it originaly sold in 69 that might explain the guy is calling it a 69.