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[Ratty2A]

I've tried to engage over on the Series 1 club forum in the past and it seems to be quite a closed shop, but I know a fair few S2C forumers also have S1s, so thought I'd ask here.

I'm giving serious consideration to letting one of my SIIA project vehicles go and replacing it with an 80 inch. The main driver is workshop space, I've just finished setting up my garage to a really lovely standard... but its small. I think I can just about cope with a 88" project vehicle, but an 80" would be far more comfortable.

But I just don't understand the current pricing. The only visibility I have is eBay, where everything S1 is priced at £a-gazillion. I'm sure that the enthusiast network is more sensibly priced.

I'd be looking for a rough, possibly ex-trialler vehicle with the majority of its original fixings but I don't mind if some of the running gear has been lost and replaced with later parts, I can cope with a lack of originality when it comes to the running gear as long as the bracketry/instruments/switchgear/etc are present and as long as the body work is salvageable, even if it needs some riveted repairs. I'll be aiming to bring it back to as an original a standard as I can, but won't cry if I had to use a (for example) SIIA transmission or engine.

Could anyone advise me on a sensible budget for such a thing and some good places to look? It would go to a good home and would be rebuilt to keep not sell.

[jonhutchings]

Hi

Sorry that you found the S1 club forum a closed shop, I can understand, I can reassure you it's not in my experience, a reflection of the club as a whole, in real life we are generally a helpful friendly bunch.

As to values, it's a really tricky one. As you have spotted anything wit the words Series one  in the title seems to be a license to print money, even when it's complete tat. That said I've seen a few signs that things are starting to get a bit more sensible.
The biggest issue is finding a suitable project. 80" are the most sought after, so most of the good projects have been bought up. Something with later running gear will of course be more reasonable, and to be honest a lot more cost effective to rebuild as the 2ltr /1600 inlet over exhaust engines are getting pricey to rebuild properly compared to the later 2.25 where most parts are still available fairly cheaply.
Another option is to consider an import from Australia, and maybe one that's had a holden 6 fitted - would be nice to see one of those actually up and running on the road, rather than reverted back to a (non original to the vehicle) 2ltr.

Try Marc pedersen (exmod.co.uk ) in stourbridge. Though he's not got much at the moment I think he has another container load arriving soon, so he might having something suitable and his prices, whilst not cheap, are usually fair.

It's a dangerous path to travel though, a bigger workshop might be cheaper i the long run :D

[Landy62]

Hi Ratty2A,

Prices are everywhere with series 1s especially 80inch wheelbase as they are in the most demand.
I was in a similar situation to you when looking for one a few years back, it’s a bit of a minefield especially with no guidance. A lot of people get a bit carried away on values when they see what Land Rover classic sell there’s for.
I think you best option like what I did was sit down and write down what exactly I wanted, like you have said on condition etc but the year also as that’s a big factor especially cost wise. A 1953 80inch will be cheaper than a light behind the grill. Also how original do you want it.

An Australian import  vehicle is usually a good solid vehicle but has been hammered especially body work and I have noticed a lot of the imports have a lot of the correct bits taken off due to there individual value.

On eBay there is currently a project lights behind the grill 1949 ex fire service I think,  a good starting point and in my view a fair price especially being a original uk vehicle and having a lot of the expensive bits there.

I hope this helps you a little

[Sheepman]

You could go for a Minerva like I have recently bought. Running gear is Series 1 80"  (steel body not alloy) but not so ridicules in price.

As above Marc Pedersen is the one to call.....

[Worf]

I do find the S1 forum can be a bit "stuffy" and woe betide you if you stray even slightly off topic (or mention an S2 ). The mag seems to be featuring far more "no expense spared" restorations. Most of the "real" members however are absolutely like us!
Problem with Aussie imports nowadays is getting them UK registered. DVLA want a  "build date" and a lot were CKD with no record of when they were actually built up, so steer clear unless someone has already sorted this. On the plus side, the fact that prices are high means more remanufactured parts are available the there were say 20 years ago.

My feeling is an 80" now. even with the wrong engine but reasonably complete for restoration, is probably around £10k today. An 86/88" in similar condition around £6K. I stand to be corrected though.

To fully rebuild a 2 litre engine will set you back at least another £6k.
Unfortunately, the cheapo days would appear to have gone forever. 30 years ago my 86" cost me £200, with a chassis that is still on it now. More than just inflation!

[fireman1]

Two series ones on done deal Ireland ai the moment 1952 80 inch at 25000 euro really lovely with a dealer . the other is 1956 not so lovely and ls fitted with a v8 asking price 9500 and is in Northern Ireland

[w3526602]

Hi,

My experience of various classic car clubs (several) wasvthat your status within the club depended on several factors, ranging from how new your car was if the marque was still in production, to the size of your business, if you specialised in trading/repairing that particular marque.

e were even members of one club, where selected members were invited to join a sub-club, according to the sub-committees preferences ... participation in competitions, servicing the needs of other club members spares/repairs, etc. We ceased to be members, as we did not see why we should finance somebody else's hobby or business.

There was worse, but not for discussion here.

602

[Bronze Green]

Lots of good practical information given above. I’ve been a member of the S1 Club since 1979, although not quite a founder member. As in all clubs there are the keyboard warriors and the nerdy types which sometimes gives the impression that the Club is very cliquey, however there are a lot of real enthusiasts who are ready to offer help to someone new to Series Ones.
Unfortunately the days of a cheap Series One is well over unless you are extremely lucky. I have a couple of ex Australian Series Ones, and they can be a great starting point for a rebuild which has already been mentioned. They can be quite hammered mechanically but in many instances the chassis and bulkheads can be in very good condition compared to a U.K. vehicle. Do not however buy one unless all the correct paperwork has been seen to especially written conformation of the build date in Australia and if not already registered speak to Mick Burn is the S1 Club VRO equivalent of our very own Peter Holden.
Decide what you want from the finished vehicle, if you want to return it to original spec then be prepared to pay, as nothing is cheap. I have an 80in which is extremely original and another S1 which is mechanically modified but still looks like a Series One. I like them both equally. Good luck with the search and as you can see there are lots of people with copious knowledge of Series Ones both on this forum and the S1 forum if you need to ask questions.

[Matt Reeves]

There's a fairly honest looking 80" in the next Brightwells auction, a UK vehicle rather than an import.

[Chuffage]

Re: The Series One Club Forum, I keep being very tempted to share the antics of this guy and what he dose with his series one on that forum:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU7JXOh116M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6jbmQ4xAX0

But am worried I might get banned or start WW3, although maybe it's a reminder what kind of things people used to do with there old Land Rovers when they were just old Land Rovers...

[geoff]

 Is his name Wayne ??  Wayne Kerr ??   

[Toby]

Saw an ad for a 80" for sale on FB at the weekend, the guy wasn't far from Newark showground and was going to take it there.
No pics but his details below, worth a punt 

07949 328421 Mick
[email protected]

[geoff]

  https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5240/lot/569333

  https://www.brightwells.com/timed-sale/5240/lot/571232

     

[Peter Holden]

Can I just echo what john Robinson (Bronze Green) has to say about documentation of CKD vehicles, thay are not just Australian they can be from places like South Africa.  They can be a nightmare to register even with what appears to be the correct documents proving the assembly date.

Also S1 engines are expensive to rebuild and some parts are scarce, In am rebuilding one at the moment to go in my S2 - it actually came out of one of John Robinsons S1s which is also a 58.  My nephew and I are also building a 1948 sideplate engine that I took out of a land rover in 1948 and the parts for that are eyewatering.  We also have another early engine in process of being rebuilt again courtesy of John Robinson.  In all by the time we have finished we will have rebuilt 4 S1 engines but it is a very slow process as we have to wait for funds to build up.

We are fortunate that all our land rovers are UK built and with one exception (a 1952 ex mil S1) all had the right documents.

Marc Pederson who used to import loads of Minervas from Belgium has slowed down because of the difficulties in registering them and he knows the system inside out.  BTW a minerva can be made to look like a land rover to the untrained eye as most of the land rover body parts fit

Peter

[Craig T]

I paid £5000 for this a year or so back. 1955 86"
It needs a lot of chassis repairs or a replacement chassis if you aren't happy doing the amount of welding I will be doing in the near future. The bulkhead is also beyond help even for me, there is nothing left...

Engine, gearbox and running gear however are original or correct for the year as far as I can tell and off course it has the station wagon roof, rear door and all the fittings that are quite hard to find.

Some may say I overpaid, others say I got a bargain, I was happy with it.
I have stripped the 2 litre engine, New bearings, new rings, new cam and a few other parts has already cost about £1500

There was also a 1953, 80" being sold at the same place and a friend of mine bought it. He has fitted a replacement chassis and is putting it back together pretty quickly but I never asked what he paid for it.

Craig.