Expensive Series on e-Bay

[jac04]

I think we all want to see what your lightweight would fetch on ebay...

Jeff - why not throw the lightweight up on E-Bay? Set a nutty reserve and see what happens.

I guess it's tempting, but I'm afraid that I would have seller's remorse (like I had when I sold my restored '63). Although I guess my amount of remorse would be inversely proportional to the nuttiness of the selling price.

[I Leak Oil]

Since everyone on here is enjoying a good flame-fest, I'm going to be the first to say it:

I think it looks nice, and has a cleaner engine bay than I've seen so far. Since I don't see a video of it running and I'm a glass half-full kind of guy I'll just think that whoever took that much time cleaning up the outside probably paid a little attention to the insides.

Just sayin'...

But for a $60K restoration I would expect a lot more. Opinions on painted galvy aside, it is a clean truck....just not a $30K truck, certainly not a $60K restoration. Imagine what you could build for $60K.

[TedW]

Since everyone on here is enjoying a good flame-fest, I'm going to be the first to say it:

I think it looks nice, and has a cleaner engine bay than I've seen so far. Since I don't see a video of it running and I'm a glass half-full kind of guy I'll just think that whoever took that much time cleaning up the outside probably paid a little attention to the insides.

Just sayin'...

We all know that Tony is a regular Mister Sunshine! it helps to drive around in a truck full o' babes all day long.

Flames aside, I hope this person's reserve is surpassed by a wide margin and it sells big. There are certainly some things on it that I would have done differently, but big whup.

[JackIIA]

I guess it's tempting, but I'm afraid that I would have seller's remorse (like I had when I sold my restored '63).

Good! You've come around I see!

[jac04]

I agree that it's a fairly nice looking vehicle at a glance, but the seller makes claims such as:
"...no expense spared restoration."
"Restored by master craftsman, this is the finest Land Rover Series truck on the market today."
"Better than new."

Those are some pretty bold statements. The seller has lifted his leg, but I'm not sure he can pee with the big dogs.

[ivarra]

I guess it's tempting, but I'm afraid that I would have seller's remorse (like I had when I sold my restored '63). Although I guess my amount of remorse would be inversely proportional to the nuttiness of the selling price.

Jeff, if it makes you feel any better, your remorse is offset by buyers satisfaction ... still to this day

[cousindave]

Love the period correct pierce manifold and weber 32/36.

[jac04]

Jeff, if it makes you feel any better, your remorse is offset by buyers satisfaction ... still to this day

You're right, I do feel better. Thanks Ivar!

[amcordo]

But for a $60K restoration I would expect a lot more. Opinions on painted galvy aside, it is a clean truck....just not a $30K truck, certainly not a $60K restoration. Imagine what you could build for $60K.

Haha. Every time I imagine what I could do with $60k I drool.

[amcordo]

I agree that it's a fairly nice looking vehicle at a glance, but the seller makes claims such as:
"...no expense spared restoration."
"Restored by master craftsman, this is the finest Land Rover Series truck on the market today."
"Better than new."

Those are some pretty bold statements. The seller has lifted his leg, but I'm not sure he can pee with the big dogs.

I claime those statements on everything I do. Except, replace "Land Rover Series truck" with "tv dinner" or "expense report" and it's more realistic.

[I Leak Oil]

Haha. Every time I imagine what I could do with $60k I drool.

I'd build a garage with it. Having gone back to working on my back in the snow and running up and down from the basement to get tools really sucks!
But for a $60K rover restoration it might all be worth it if my truck had painted galvy and a shiney swiss cheese axle casing!

[Terrys]

I can't figure out why people go thru the trouble, but won't go thru the trouble to do something correctly. Just about everything was slapped on, right after the UPS truck dropped it off. I love the painted transfer case too. You can spray paint a turd and it will be shiney, but it's still a turd underneath.

[Momo]

+1 Terry. I see trucks like this and all I think of is, if they cut corners with simple stuff like not bothering to mask off the galvanized components, then what corners did they cut with mechanicals, electrical, etc? So many little things to correct...not difficult, but the price is totally out of line with the finished product

[TeriAnn]

Well, usually a vehicle like this on e-Bay is brought up for discussion. So, let's talk about this one. Bidding is over $30k with reserve not met yet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1963-LAND-ROVER-SERIES-IIa-RESTORED-BETTER-THAN-NEW-/250767850006?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a62edba16

It's a nice looking vehicle, but at that price point I have to wonder:
1) Why are the windshield frame, hood release, lower grille clips and hood hinges painted?

Probably for the same reason the chicken crossed the road. Because someone thought it would look nicer. The builder did a number of non stock things to the truck, evidently including replacing the station wagon roof with a hood and sticks. To regalvanize the windscreen frame the rebuilder would need to strip it first then reassmble it. I bet painting the windscreen frame was a way of economizing.

2) Did they really mask around the letters on the oval badges when they were re-painted?

I haven't a clue. When I repainted mine I was just real careful and used a very fine brush. It seems a very inconsequential thing to bring up though.

3) A rusty trans brake drum?

Yep. An unpainted brake drum will dissipate heat better. I wouldn't paint mine either.

4) Off-brand tires on a $30K + vehicle?

Oh well, those are consumables and will be replaced if the vehicle gets driven

5) Hard to tell, but looks like the galv. cappings are painted.

Fresh galvanizing looks the same as silver paint in pictures. It appears that the front bumper was regalvanized. I'm betting that the cappings were all removed, regalvanized and replaced.

It also looks a little strange without the original type vent seals - I assume they are using the style that attach to the vents instad of the bulkhead.

They appear to be the Defender style scuttle vent seals. I plan to use them on mine next time.

OK, so there are some things painted the wrong colour and there are a couple non stock items on the truck. I find the black upholstery to look out of place and I'm used to seeing upholstered kick panels and inside bulkhead.

So what? The truck is not 100% original. Some parts have been substituted and the seller has no idea of what a concourse '63 should look like. Is that any reason to be spiteful over the truck?

It appears to have had rust problems fixed, new paint and galvanizing, a new galvanized frame all new rubber, new wire harness, parabolic springs and shocks. It appears that the engine and gearbox are fresh rebuilds. The brake hard tubing and rubber all appear to be fresh.

It appears to be in better overall condition that 95% of the trucks I've seen go up for sale.

Is it that it is fun to criticize an imperfect truck that is presented as perfect by someone who would not recognize a perfect truck if it ran over him?

I think it is a nice condition truck. Not perfect and not original, but a nice fresh truck non the less. One that might give someone who followed the factory maintenance schedule a 100,000 or more trouble free miles.

[jac04]

I bet painting the windscreen frame was a way of economizing.

You mean some expense was spared?

Yep. An unpainted brake drum will dissipate heat better. I wouldn't paint mine either.

You need to dissipate heat from the trans brake drum? Interesting.

I'm betting that the cappings were all removed, regalvanized and replaced.

I'd take that bet.

Is it that it is fun to criticize an imperfect truck that is presented as perfect by someone who would not recognize a perfect truck if it ran over him?

Well, yes. I think you summed it up nicely.