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oscar
03-04-2007, 11:39 AM
You can blame management....they let me in here....

Not new to forums though. In fact own half of one for one of the other obsessions, sailboats. Also a member on one that deals with PMC's.....we won't go there just yet.... Grew up un Holland and owned a slew of Citroens, Peugeots, Simca's, Renaults, Volkswagen, Fiat, Mini, Ford Transit, Escort and others that slip my mind right now.....Oh if I could only have half the cars I bought for $25 and trashed in a week "cruising" Amsterdam sitting in my front yard right now......In 1982 at the ripe old age of 25 I came "to dis countree"....and was seen motoring in a Saab, 76 Impala, assorted newer Detroit stuff for daily transportation, a Jag, a Benz.....a '51 Roller (I said we weren't going there yet) Typing this I realize I must have owned close to 50 or 60 cars.....sick. Currently a couple of Chevy chassis based rigs for daily motoring, an '89 Wrangler and "Sir Gasalot", a 1972 Coachman Motorhome.... Never a Land Rover, although I've always had the intention of owning one..... Hi, my name is Oscar and I am a petrolhead.

I have had dinner (once) with a few folks here....Shawn, Steve....and regularly "hang" with Evan, who lives in the next town over. I'm just South of Bethlehem myself. Seeing Evans LR on a regular basis has only increased the urge to get one.

Now it so happens that, due to my occupation, pilot, I spend quite a bit of time in the UK. I regularly fly into Bristol, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinborough, Glasgow....... In fact the other day, after having come in at 7am into Birmingham and taken a five hour nap, I was out and about in the Midlands coutryside on my afternoon stroll, when I happened upon a nice cottage, with a Land Rover prominently parked in the driveway with (music from Spartacus) A FOR SALE SIGN IN THE WINDOW. I realised that at that very moment all the cosmic forces in the universe had come together (conspired?) to bring ME THERE at that VERY MOMENT.

I said to meself...."Self, oh sh$t....here we go..."

I rang the doorbell at the aforementioned cottage and made the acquintance of a nice gentleman who in fact had spent some of his life in the US, and flown back and forth on my very airline. A rapport was established and soon he shuffled back inside to get the keys to the Rover.

Ah yes, now we get to the meat and potatoes.... Now before we go any further I must disclose that I have picked Evan's brain quite a bit, and done a fair share of reading on the subject, but at this point in the game I know just enough about Rovers to get myself in trouble.....heh heh.

The vehicle in question is a 1962 early series IIa (based on chassis# starting with 251) 109 three door pickemup. Hard top cab, canvas cover on the bed. It had a new chassis some 7 years ago, I believe it to be a Marles.... eh...eh...yeah, that one. Not 100% sure about that though. There is very little rust. Only in the critical places....:eek: Top and front of the lower half of the door, and on the firewall behind the top door hinges. Just blisters, not through yet. (Visual of hysterical laughter after I take a grinder to the area and find out I can quickly remove half the firewall.....) No seriously, I think it's not too bad...really. Oh, then there's some pot metal welded where the passenger was experiencing the Fred Flinstone automotive method.... I need to buy a MIG welder anyway, for the shop. More about that later, I digress. The rubber is good, all the parts and pieces are there, it started right up and ticked over at idle quite nicely, with only some valve clatter to disturb the dream...... It passed an MOT last year.....or was it the year before....there was evidenve of a grease gun having been to the right places, or at least most of them, and there was some minor seepage in all the locations one would hope to find it.....True, the engine room could use some TLC, but the thing is unmolested.....I hate molested vehicles....it looks like this.....

http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/LR/62engine.jpg

The truck itself like this:

http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/LR/62LR.jpg

It has the overdrive and the Smith ankle burner.....oh and a very cute registration.....

I do have the facilities to take care of things. Although not completely finished and up to speed, the "Garage Mahal" is open for business, and in addition to heated work space will soon feature a lift, parts cleaner etc. etc...... It's only been five years in the making, one cement block and rafter at a time...... looks like this:

http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/Barn/Openforbusiness.jpg

Now I need some help....yes a lobotomy, but besides that....my big question is, IF I go through the trouble of buying and shipping this thing to the US of A and clean it up.....what would it be worth. Yes, with all the fun I'd be having it would be priceless. But there is the minor issue of the budget.....Is it worth the trouble?

jason
03-04-2007, 09:41 PM
Welcome, Oscar. You've asked the question that we've all asked at one point, therefore, no one can answer it for you. By doing so we would open up the floodgates of liability. "Is it worth it?" is far to objective, subjective, personal, and dare I say, responsible a question to ask. I've got a garage and driveway full of stuff that I deem "worth it" that others would consider worthless. This is our dilemma. Choose the red or the blue pill. Either choice is right.;)

crazyfish
03-04-2007, 09:48 PM
It's absolutely worth it
It will be worth it someday
Who cares, it's so much damn fun.

My standard 3 answers.

Frank84
03-04-2007, 11:13 PM
It's absolutely worth it
It will be worth it someday
Who cares, it's so much damn fun.

My standard 3 answers.


I'd certainly agree with the third answer!

KevinNY
03-05-2007, 12:04 AM
The "Garage Mahal", I love it!

rvrsrvc
03-05-2007, 09:47 AM
I'm concerend about the shop floor-it looks like it's not sealed. I strongly encourage a nice epoxy that is resistant to :oil, fuel, brake fluid, gear oil, mud, oil, road grime, road salt, rusty parts falling on it, oil, etc.. And go for some sort of grit in the mix for traction when walikng through the shop after rolling the chassis outside one day- don't need a nasty fall and a tetnus (sp) shot from slippping on the gear oil and falling on the rusty metal.

Tom109
03-05-2007, 10:32 AM
Yes, they are a lot of fun, usefull and all that, but "practical" can require rose-colored glasses and a sense of humor. Aside from the potential faults in any (UK) Series of that age, it looks great. IMO, you really can't beat the utility of a 2-door 109. Leave the truck cab in winter, full softtop in Summer, or put on a hardtop and rear seats....

I think your big ($) hurdle will be the transit costs from the UK. In the USA, SII 109 regulars are not that common. Your closest option this side of the pond would be an ex-military 109. Most of these will be late-IIA's or SIII's with lights in the wings, but often LHD. They can be in well-maintained, low-mileage/use condition, or show decades of hard use. They typically show up with a $8-9k (and down) asking price. Tom B. sold one a few years back at a good price, and I know of one in NJ for $6k. From these estimates I would subtract your UK price and see what's left over to cover shipping, repairs, etc. This way you can do a fair financial comparison to a 109 you can buy and drive home...

Regards,

Tom P.

oscar
03-05-2007, 01:07 PM
Thanks you for your responses, they are helpful......I'll have the blue pill please.

The (barn) floor has been treated on one side, I had some "dusting"....(long story) I'm not done yet. The traction on it is pretty good.

As far as practical, yes I know there are limitations to 55mph motoring. That's not what I'm looking for. Driving around town with the top(s) down is indeed priceless.

I will move forward.....with a sense of purpouse....real or perceived.

derekdilks
03-07-2007, 06:38 PM
Oscar, cool garage, What kind of stove is that? Looks like a 50gal drum turned sideways ;)

oscar
03-07-2007, 08:30 PM
It is. I call it "The Incinerator"........

http://www.vogelzang.com/barrel_stoves.htm

Do NOT over-fire these things.