Do I......or don't I?

[redneb72]

I am seriously considering having a bid on one of the surplus Army Defenders currently on offer on Grays online.

Ex-Military Land Rovers, Unimogs, ATV's & Motorcycles (http://www.graysonline.com/sale/5006043/transport-trucks-and-trailers/unreserved-ex-military-land-rovers-unimogs-motorcycles-atv-s-trailers'spr=true)

I currently have a 130, which has been my project tourer for the past year, and possibly years to come. I love it. It took months of searching to find the one I wanted, and when I did, it was in Perth and I shipped it over to Mackay. I am forever reading and dreaming of further modifications and fabrications for it.

But I have come to realise that I do more "quick" trips than I do touring and cannot seem to settle in myself that I shouldn't bid on one of the Defenders. You have to admit a 4 cylinder with 1 litre per pot sounds bloody tempting.

If I am successful, I would then use that as bush/hunting rig (for my two boys and I) and project vehicle, and buy something more family friendly for the longer times away with the entire family.

How many more army Defenders will there be do you think?

Are parts easy to obtain for the motors?

Can they be retro-fitted with modern day accessories such as dash and interior upgrades?

I am looking for arguments either way!

[glock17a]

The ex army 110`s will be a great buy.
Looking at the current prices, the vehicles may go for aroung $15-$20000.
Mechanical winch, brush bar, hunting ready rig. If I had the spare cash I would be bidding on one. I looked at the 4 doro camanders truck. Set up to carry the regiments radio so that the on scene CO can keep in comss.
Has power supply/distrubtion board in back.
Also getting a 3/4 ton traileer would be a good combo.
Some vehicles may have 24v electical system, would be only issue I can see with buying a perentie Land Rover.

[Mick_Marsh]

No. You wouldn't want one.
Especially the ones I'm bidding on.

[mudmouse]

It's a fleet disposal, so with over 2300?? delivered and a few hundred write offs to bring that number down, I'd say they'll be on offer for a while.....and then there's all the spare bits.

Matt.

[slug_burner]

The ex army 110`s will be a great buy.
Looking at the current prices, the vehicles may go for aroung $15-$20000.
Mechanical winch, brush bar, hunting ready rig. If I had the spare cash I would be bidding on one. I looked at the 4 doro camanders truck. Set up to carry the regiments radio so that the on scene CO can keep in comss.
Has power supply/distrubtion board in back.
Also getting a 3/4 ton traileer would be a good combo.
Some vehicles may have 24v electical system, would be only issue I can see with buying a perentie Land Rover.

All Army Land Rovers run all automotive systems on 12 V. If they have a radio fit then they have additional 24 V system as well as the 12V one.

[newhue]

Do you need 1lt per pot to go shooting? How much off-roading do you actually do while shooting.
I have no idea never done it. But if you don't think the 130 is a good tourer than I'd imagine it would make a great pigger. Cab to house the lads in, tray to hang the carcass, house the dog, store the stuff. I'm only going on what I see drive by. Can also lock stuff in a 130 while in town. You wont be doing that in an army truck.
From what I have seen of an Isuzu, Tdi, Tdci, they all do the same just at different revs. The older do it lower, the newer do it higher, but quieter. A non turbo's Isuzu is about as zippy as a Tdi so not much to gain there. And both Isuzu and Tdi are at there best at 90km/h. yes the Isuzu has got good low down, but low 1 and 2 is good in all of them.
You can get your chassis galled also for $500 if you like pending where your 130 build is at.

Don't get me wrong, they are cool, just there is a price to pay for 1lt per pot.

[redneb72]

I tell you what Jason! I wasn't real sure where you were going with this response until I saw that auction for the military gear conclude this afternoon.

Am I not the only one who thinks those prices are out of control?

I think I will stick to my TD5 130 for now and keep chipping away. And yes, it does make a good hunter and tourer.

[Mick_Marsh]

When cashed up collectors move in, you haven't go a hope.

[redneb72]

Yeah I understand that! But there is going to be over 2000 of them, and some of the ones from earlier auctions are already on carsales.

I am still scratching my head!

[newhue]

yes I reckon your onto it. Sorry if I was all over the place like browns cows.
I think many want one, and once the novelty wears off a Parentie they will become more realistically priced.
I think people in time will also realise it's not for them as well. A rush of blood perhaps for a desire, but with an average economy maybe the money is better in the bank. There is also the realisation of you can only drive one landy at a time, but you can pay for as many as you like to sit around to do nothing.
The car yards also can't keep stocking and holding overpriced cars that don't move.
So in reality by the time the last 2 or 3 hundred Parenties' enter the market, some of the first 2000 will be re-entering.

As for collectors, look how many army series are in collections as to how many go for $500 or less on ebay. Not everyone is a collector or cares to keep an old landy in good order.