Advice please - Am I about to buy a money pit?
Discussion
I'm about to buy this thing: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
THe seller reckons it is absolutely solid - the chassis and bulkhead are not corroded, the engine and geartrain are excellent. Why is it so cheap and what is it all going to cost me. Should explain I'm looking for an old Series III for carting crap around and taking the dogs for muddy walks. I won't be putting big miles on it or subjecting it to too much of a hard life.
THe seller reckons it is absolutely solid - the chassis and bulkhead are not corroded, the engine and geartrain are excellent. Why is it so cheap and what is it all going to cost me. Should explain I'm looking for an old Series III for carting crap around and taking the dogs for muddy walks. I won't be putting big miles on it or subjecting it to too much of a hard life.
A few years ago, I bought a twenty year old Land Rover SWB station wagon for £750...It was good fun and after six months I sold it for a small profit, however, the main drawbacks were the very vague steering and it's great thirst for petrol, round about 15 miles to the gallon. Still, if you are not planning on doing much mileage you should be OK...
Finally if possible check the chassis very carefully for rust, especially the outriggers....
Finally if possible check the chassis very carefully for rust, especially the outriggers....
rich 36 said:
Can see the attraction so far
word of warning; the S3 require cold weather clothing mostly
and that fairey is a usefull addition if you want anything approaching
M-way speed
I've done a bit of research and have decided it should be a petrol engined Series III with a Fairey overdrive, it must have a good chassis and bulkhead and...er...that's a good summing up of everything I know about them. I quite like the idea of an ex military 109, but realistically only really want an 88. Wouldn't be averse to a lightweight, but they seem to be more money than I want to pay. I'm not looking for a concours example, I just want something that's reasonably robust that will save me getting muddy dog paws on my Momo and which I can park In Sainsbury's without being paranoic.
Mon Ami Mate said:
Can see the attraction so far
word of warning; the S3 require cold weather clothing mostly
and that fairey is a usefull addition if you want anything approaching
M-way speed
I've done a bit of research and have decided it should be a petrol engined Series III with a Fairey overdrive, it must have a good chassis and bulkhead and...er...that's a good summing up of everything I know about them. I quite like the idea of an ex military 109, but realistically only really want an 88. Wouldn't be averse to a lightweight, but they seem to be more money than I want to pay. I'm not looking for a concours example, I just want something that's reasonably robust that will save me getting muddy dog paws on my Momo and which I can park In Sainsbury's without being paranoic.
right just reading through your quote here,
petrol will be a bit more easy to live with, we had one of that age with 2 1/4 Taxi engine
Diesel, supposedly good for towing bit piss poor at passing milk floats
the fairey we fitted helped (a bit)
chassis's worth a look,
for bits of it being (erroneously supported by bodywork)
The bulhead (as in steel between you and engine) will have a better chance of logevity in an older car anyway, as its gotten thinner over the intervening models/years,
car park dings are behind you from here on in, together with phrases like
'That dog's soaking wet darling, he'll ruin the leather'
steering wheel play is part of the experience, (apparently)
together with its easy to source/fit parts
yhm
Been discusing the purchase of an S2A (69G)with the owner for a couple of weeks. Apparrently ok chassis, £200 but its in London & I am on Isle of Skye. Was planning to meet half way, but my lift drying up!
I have been told 20 -25mpg on a petrol but the 15mpg you mention brings to mind the one I new back in the 70's They got nearer 15!
Anyone travelling from Skye southwards at the weekend?
Tony H
I have been told 20 -25mpg on a petrol but the 15mpg you mention brings to mind the one I new back in the 70's They got nearer 15!
Anyone travelling from Skye southwards at the weekend?
Tony H
I would be suspicious of a 'trader' selling a car without an MOT - it is easier for him to get a car through even a 'dodgy' MOT than you, so if he hasn't done this there could be a reason why. I am considering selling a 1972 21/4 petrol tax excempt series 3 with an MOT (but without overdrive) soon for around £1000 if you're interested! This saves me £190 a year and is extremely cheap to insure as it's over 30 years old!
cpas said:
. I am considering selling a 1972 21/4 petrol tax excempt series 3 with an MOT (but without overdrive) soon for around £1000 if you're interested! This saves me £190 a year and is extremely cheap to insure as it's over 30 years old!
As the purchase of London based vehicle now fallen through (4th gear dodgy and seller afraid to go any distance with it), are you anywhere near Scotland??
ps if anyone wants a cheap apparently sound 2A e mail me please and I'll put you in touch. the 2A is going to auction soon.
Just discovered this: http://dbase.evems.com:1066/FMPro?-db
They apparently have a very wide choice of ex army vehicles, all with galvanised chassis, very well maintained and in excellent condition, £1700. Sounds like an absolute bargain to me. In which case probably too good to be true. Somebody talk me out of it...
They apparently have a very wide choice of ex army vehicles, all with galvanised chassis, very well maintained and in excellent condition, £1700. Sounds like an absolute bargain to me. In which case probably too good to be true. Somebody talk me out of it...
Mon Ami Mate said:
Just discovered this: http://dbase.evems.com:1066/FMPro?-db
They apparently have a very wide choice of ex army vehicles, all with galvanised chassis, very well maintained and in excellent condition, £1700. Sounds like an absolute bargain to me. In which case probably too good to be true. Somebody talk me out of it...
They apparently have a very wide choice of ex army vehicles, all with galvanised chassis, very well maintained and in excellent condition, £1700. Sounds like an absolute bargain to me. In which case probably too good to be true. Somebody talk me out of it...
Not going to talk you out of it, but where did you see the prices? Or did you call them. Interesting site
Edited to say: Scrub that, just seen above that you called them ....
Edited by Touching Cloth on Thursday 8th June 17:01
Mon Ami Mate said:
Just discovered this: http://dbase.evems.com:1066/FMPro?-db
They apparently have a very wide choice of ex army vehicles, all with galvanised chassis, very well maintained and in excellent condition, £1700. Sounds like an absolute bargain to me. In which case probably too good to be true. Somebody talk me out of it...
They apparently have a very wide choice of ex army vehicles, all with galvanised chassis, very well maintained and in excellent condition, £1700. Sounds like an absolute bargain to me. In which case probably too good to be true. Somebody talk me out of it...
The pictures you are seeing on Jacksons website are of the best vechiles they have on offer which are a lot more than the £1700 you have seen advertised,£1700 is for a base M.O.D just released vechile which will come with about twenty five coats of paint dings all around and a bit tatty but solid,but still a good buy at that money.
skyedriver said:
cpas said:
. I am considering selling a 1972 21/4 petrol tax excempt series 3 with an MOT (but without overdrive) soon for around £1000 if you're interested! This saves me £190 a year and is extremely cheap to insure as it's over 30 years old!
As the purchase of London based vehicle now fallen through (4th gear dodgy and seller afraid to go any distance with it), are you anywhere near Scotland??
ps if anyone wants a cheap apparently sound 2A e mail me please and I'll put you in touch. the 2A is going to auction soon.
Sorry, I'm in Northamptonshire which is about 70 miles north of London. My Series 3 will do any distance - there's nothing particularly wrong with it but it won't fit into the garage of my potentiol new house purchase!!!
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