Why do we waste money on 4wds? Rebuilding Old Landrover's?

[4x4 MORE]

Hey mate..my brother in law and my older sister had a go at me on the weekend about why I wasted 500 bucks on a rusty Suzuki LJ81 ute

I tried to say that it was unique and different, they said" why bother spending money on doing it up, cutting rust out ect"

They said " there are not any on the roads and none at car shows" and that they won't increase in value"

and that they are not a classic"

I did not know what to say But I do know for a fact that rebuilt FJ40's and series 1 Landrovers are worth a bit

But are LJ's?

So I am just wondering

WHAT MAKES
Landrovers/4wds special to you guys?:confused:

have you been picked on for fixing up a rusty beat up old Landy?:confused:

Thanks from Ind

[Grumbles]

Tell your family they are wrong.

A mate of mine has an early LJ81 Zook which I think is about a late 70s model - at least I think it is an LJ81 designation. It has the 800cc engine and the factory tub tray. There's absolutely no rust in his Zook and it is still completely factory original including the seats, interior and paint. It has undergone an engine rebuild along with a few other bits and pieces which wore worn and today it runs like a Swiss watch.

As for value he has knocked back a few unsolicited offers in the $5G to $7G area from strangers wanting to buy it from him when they have seen it in their travels. He will never sell it though.

[rijidij]

If they have to ask why you like Land Rovers and Zooks, they will never understand, no matter how well you explain it.

One reason (among many) why I love Land Rovers is because I'm not a sheep :D

Cheers, Murray

[4x4 MORE]

Thanks guys..so many people think I am mad because I like old zooks and Landrover's haha:p

I think it's character..

[Disco Muppet]

Frequently have this argument with the 'rents and SWMBO.

Because it's fun
Because you learn heaps
Because you get to meet interesting people, make new friends
Because what good is having money if you get no enjoyment out of life?
Because it's better than sitting in a pub all day

So there :p

[flagg]

My response is always the same: can't spend all your money on hookers and blow :-p

Seriously though, once you and your loved ones are housed and fed what other past time is going to open up so much of Australia, teach you so much and allow you go meet so many people? I'm not going add up what I've spent on my 110 but it is very well spent!(imo)

[VladTepes]

It's a false premise - it's not a WASTE of money....

[DeeJay]

I just sold a boat that I only managed to clock up 44 hours in 3 years. Took nearly another year to get $16,500 for it and it cost the other side of $25,000 new.
Now that's a waste of money :D:D
Just imagine what extra's the Landie could have with the shortfall :twisted: Anyway who wants to go boating when you can go 4x4ing...

[redrovertdi]

You can have better friends than family-One life Live it.....

[bee utey]

99% of the population can't work out why the 1% don't want to be dull and conformist, just like them. That's their problem, not mine. I learn new hand skills because it's a challenge, not because it's easy. And upstaging a typical Toypoojero owner in an old Landy/Zook etc makes it all worth while.:p

[S3ute]

WHAT MAKES
Landrovers/4wds special to you guys?:confused:

have you been picked on for fixing up a rusty beat up old Landy?:confused:

Thanks from Ind

Hello from Brisbane.

Hard to say really - history I guess.

When I was a kid we had about 20 Land Rovers spread across a very large farm family - so I grew up with them I suppose. Getting a SWB and a VW beetle were a bit of a coming of age thing in the 60s for each of my cousins as they were set up on their own properties. I was given one of my grandfather's hand me downs (1954 86") when I was still at school. Great truck to learn to drive in and play about the local hills with.

Over time the fleet diminished with successive generations of cousins etc walking away from the marque towards Toyotas - until my late Dad's 2A 6 cylinder 109" was the last one still earning an honest living up to the late 90s. Entirely used for paddock work and generally unroadworthy.

A few years back I read a news clipping about the 60th anniversary bash planned for Cooma. Chewing it over with my father-in-law (a dedicated Landcruiser owner - 5 traytops in the earthmoving business and 100 Series for getting around) for a few minutes we decided it might be a project to clean the 109" up and head for the Snowys.

Didn't actually happen at the time - my Dad had given the truck to a neighbour who didn't want to sell it back, and my father-in-law passed away around that time. So, Cooma came and went without input from us.

Cutting to the quick, the idea didn't go away and I finally bought a 1975 SWB in need of some TLC a couple of years back, and who's to know it might get to Cooma yet for a 70th or whatever?

Criticism? Heaps, but the family at least put it on par with a mental illness to be tolerated - that or find another excuse for sitting in the shed muttering and cursing interspersed with the odd lullaby.

Concerned? Nope..................

Will it make money? Not before hell freezes over.................

Do it again? More than likely.................

Cheers,

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

I suppose one reason why I am interested in older vehicles occurred to me between during one of my frequent drives between Bundaberg and Brisbane. It was a couple of years ago now.

For the whole drive I could not count any motor vehicle which had real character and stood out of the crowd for the whole trip.

None where you saw them approaching in the distance and you kept your head turning as they went past and said to yourself, "That is one beautiful car!" How you felt happy for seeing it on the road still going under its own power.

These are cars which are still being driven when nearly every other car on the road will not be tootling down a road when it is at least 20 years old - let alone how old some of the Series Land Rovers are.

Call it preserving motoring history. A time when obsolescence was not the main engineering factor built into the vehicle.

Kind Regards
Lionel

[rangieman]

If they have to ask why you like Land Rovers and Zooks, they will never understand, no matter how well you explain it.

One reason (among many) why I love Land Rovers is because I'm not a sheep :D

Cheers, Murray

x2 so true Could not have said it better :D
Imagine how boring life would be if there was just Collingwood and Commodores:p

[isuzutoo-eh]

Dunno why, I just wanted one. No need to justify it, not even to myself. Heck, I was a student with a casual job and a boringly reliable Corolla I could barely afford upkeep on.
After a year or so of looking around I found my IIa, didn't even own a socket set at the time, another 5 years later and it was registered, now I drive it when the mood strikes.
I can't recall anyone questioning me on owning or driving my IIa, a few have questioned me on owning my County mind you!

[Disco Muppet]

I learn new hand skills because it's a challenge, not because it's easy. And upstaging a typical Toypoojero owner in an old Landy/Zook etc makes it all worth while.:p

But if you like challenges, why are you upstaging Toypoojeros? :confused: :p

[wanglemoose]

its simple. true motoring enthusiests like particular vehicles that strike their eyes, hearts and memories. it doesnt matter what breed, age or shape. if you like it you are generally buying it to enjoy what it is. non enthusiests will never understand it and trying to explain it is like trying to teach a fish to drive, its never going to work. you build relationships with cars, the more time you spend doing them up, modifying them, fixing them the more the relationship grows and the less you seem to care about the costs invloved in what your doing.

[4x4 MORE]

Thanks guys

By the way this is what I am talking about, needs a LOT of work!



LJ81 Ute 1979 Photos by 4x4_08 | Photobucket (http://s493.photobucket.com/user/4x4_08/library/LJ81%20ute%201979)

[mattadelaide1975]

I can add to this argument,

With the current issues my D2 has, my work mates take great joy in telling me I should have bought a toyota..nissan....etc.

But as one of my workmates knows, who keeps having a go at me while my D2 is in the shop.... my stock standard D2 is able to go where his Landcruiser has problems accessing.... we went out on a group weekend a few months ago, and he would look at some situations, and say..nope not going there.... but my D2 looked at it, smiled, and said to me "what ya standing still for, this is what I was built for".......

Unfortunately or Fortunately, owning/driving a land rover gets into your blood stream and you dont want to own anything else.

Everyone else can laugh, and have a go at you for owning a Land Rover, but we know what they are capable of... whether it be a series, defender, discovery or dare I say it a freelander:wasntme:

Cheers

Matt

[isuzutoo-eh]

I learn new hand skills because it's a challenge, not because it's easy. And upstaging a typical Toypoojero owner in an old Landy/Zook etc makes it all worth while.:p
But if you like challenges, why are you upstaging Toypoojeros? :confused: :p


Because Toypoojero owners are the masters of 'hand skills'. :D :angel:

[Hall]

Well you can`t drive your golf clubs to work after the weekend and they won`t get you out into the wilds. Simple really for me I prefer to spend my cash on some thing that delivers enjoyment and usefulness all the time. Plus as posted a vehicle that is a iconic 4wd that has character not some shapeless conforming thing that could be any other brand of four wheel drive.
Cheers Hall

[Avion8]

I was thinking on the 130 km drive to the British Classic the other weekend why do we do this. I had spent 3 months replacing the steering on my 1951 80" (2.5 months to UK repair & back). Going up a fairly steep hill out of Armadale a new insect noice joined the throng of animal noises emanating from the gearbox engine area (worse with aircon flap open) - I think it is some sort of Cicada:(

But on the flat and cruising at 73 kph (30 - 50 MPH) it is hard to beet the feeling or wipe the smile off. Also no better vehicle off road in standard trim I believe. Just love them. I imagine the old Suzuki would be similar.

[The ho har's]

My family shake their heads as well:( but are always interested to know where we have been and what show we have gone to, Military or otherwise:D

I noticed one of the thanking posters forum name, he own zooks as well:) didn't see him post though. There a LOT of Land Rover collectors have owned iconic cars in the past and present:D Zooks, Beetles and Mini Coopers come to mind:) Us being Beetles;)

Mrs hh:angel:

[Hoges]

Simple answer: A man needs a hobby...;)

[zulu Delta 534]

Ask your brother in law and the elder sister why they waste time going to the doctors. They may be surprised to find out their reason and yours re the vehicles are very similar.
Regards
Glen

[Kapunda]

I just sold a boat that I only managed to clock up 44 hours in 3 years. Took nearly another year to get $16,500 for it and it cost the other side of $25,000 new.
Now that's a waste of money :D:D
Just imagine what extra's the Landie could have with the shortfall :twisted: Anyway who wants to go boating when you can go 4x4ing...

Boat. A hole in the water that you try to fill with money.

[Don 130]

A bloke was saying on the radio only the other day, that of all the common/popular collectable investments,(art, coins, stamps etc) classic cars are the best in terms of returns.
Don.

[carjunkieanon]

One reason (among many) why I love Land Rovers is because I'm not a sheep :D


I'm not a sheep either!

:D

[460cixy]

Zooks and land rovers my two most favourite vehicles they just don't understand and who realy cares

[superquag]

Frequently have this argument with the 'rents and SWMBO.

Because it's fun
Because you learn heaps
Because you get to meet interesting people, make new friends
Because what good is having money if you get no enjoyment out of life?
Because it's better than sitting in a pub all day

So there :p


Totally agree Young Muppet. - All of the above.

Where else can lunatics find such mutual approval ... :p:p:p

[3doug6]

Thanks guys

By the way this is what I am talking about, needs a LOT of work!



LJ81 Ute 1979 Photos by 4x4_08 | Photobucket (http://s493.photobucket.com/user/4x4_08/library/LJ81%20ute%201979)

And yet that is in much better condition then ours :( . One day I'll have the time/ skills to fix that brilliant machine.

[olbod]

My LJ50 back in the seventies.
On this trip I had been bush bashing for a couple of days from the Hawker gate to find and reach Mt Hopeless.
Great fun.

[Disco Muppet]

My response is always the same: can't spend all your money on hookers and blow :-p


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/11/1254.jpg (http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/DiscoMuppet/media/CharlieSheen_zps8305d7c6.jpg.html)

[Baggy]

Why do I have an old Landrover .....because they have a soul.

Starting them in the morning they can be a little rough ....but once you do get them going they will happily take you where you want to go in style and comfort.
And like any great partnership if you look after her, she will look after you and take you and your family to places that will take your breath away in this great land.

They are great listeners as I talk to mine often and I have become a better listener too ... for whether the windows up or down I'm always alert to new strange sound coming from her .... though my wife may disagree.
And its a myth about them being unreliable - gossip spread by Landrover enthusiast - for how else can we spend time with them ........honey I'm having to working on the Landy today never gets a harsh word from SWMBO

And finally ...... my 5K Landy will go anywhere a 100K Tojo will go and I smile at all the money I didn't need to spend :D

Cheers
Baggy

[Grumbles]

My LJ50 back in the seventies.
On this trip I had been bush bashing for a couple of days from the Hawker gate to find and reach Mt Hopeless.
Great fun.

Those pics brought a flood of memories back for me Oldbod because all those years ago I started the four wheel adventure with a Suzi LJ50 - the 3 cylinder 2 stroke engine and a hard top.

[4x4 MORE]

My LJ50 back in the seventies.
On this trip I had been bush bashing for a couple of days from the Hawker gate to find and reach Mt Hopeless.
Great fun.

Wow! now that's going back a bit!..did you buy it new?:confused:

[The ho har's]

Wow! now that's going back a bit!..did you buy it new?:confused:


Olbod certainly did not look old in the pic :)

So how is the zook going??? Started restoring it yet?

Mrs hh:angel:

[4x4 MORE]

No..that LJ from Dubbo is for when I get quite a bit older [ONLY 23]

I am however Pulling apart my other LJ ute[ I got 3] for a Competition rig!:)

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr298/4x4_08/4X4%20PICS%202014/20140213_122030.jpg

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr298/4x4_08/4X4%20PICS%202014/20140213_122209.jpg

It's been complexity stripped down..chassis is nearly all stripped down..just gotta remove the motor..

[was going to leave motor in place but will be easier to paint the chassis with motor removed:D]

[PAT303]

If you think fixing an old zook or series is a waste of money,what do you call monthly loan repayments on a new vehicle that will loose 5% of it's value as soon as it leaves the lot and another 40-50% after 2 years?. Pat

[Slunnie]

It not about the head, there is very little logic in rebuilding and restoring. It's all about the heart. People that get people will understand.

[123rover50]

Since we are talking Zooks.
Here is me in the 70,s getting a helping hand:(
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/145.jpg (http://s939.photobucket.com/user/123rover50/media/Papua%20New%20Guinea%201969/Bougainville/suzuki001.jpg.html)

Didiman

[olbod]

Olbod certainly did not look old in the pic :)

So how is the zook going??? Started restoring it yet?

Mrs hh:angel:

Sorry for the delay as I did not see this.

The LJ50 was twelve months old when I got it for the Missus.
I pinched it off her and fitted it out for my solo trip in 77.
Two things I wanted to do, stand on top off Mt Hopeless and and recreate my ealier trip circumnavigating Lake Ayre which I did in 63 I think in my LR that I had bought new in 62.
Both solo trips successful and very satisfying.
I must say that the little Suzuki was terrific for bush bashing and going where there were no roads or tracks. On that trip I spent weeks in the bush and desert, only coming in for water, fuel, baked beans and spam.
Bit difficult nowadays to get about like that unless you snuk.
I dont like now.

Wife kept the little thingy for a couple of years before trading it on a Mini Cooper S.
When I returned it to her she never let me drive it again and would hide the keys. I could service it tho !!!

[4x4 MORE]

Awesome..how much was it?

The gearing is pretty low low in those Lj50's yeah?

[goanna_shire]

Well Its better than drinking or smoking cigarettes or coming home smelling like another woman:o. I think the worst thing is oil and grease stains on 'that new shirt I just bought you yesterday'. It's just pure satisfaction making a little part of the rover better than it was bit by bit. Its definitely an attachment to a vehicle with character and personality. I feel safest in a vehicle I know intimately instead of not knowing whats going on in my toyonissajero appliance.

Cheers,

Brian.

[Ancient Mariner]

I have spent the last 18 months building my 96 defender With the money I have spent and the hours were charged out at our hourly rate I would have 2 maybe 3 new Defenders .Would probably need them to one to use. one on the flatbed and one at the dealers for warrenty:D In the end what did I finish up with? A rough looking Defender noisy leaks water rattles vibrates no electronics and goes pretty well.Worth it Yeah:D


AM:wheelchair:

[UncleHo]

Hey! AM You bought a Perentie, Huh! :D:)

[Ancient Mariner]

Nup Prenty to hard to spell:p

[4x4 MORE]

Well Its better than drinking or smoking cigarettes or coming home smelling like another woman:o. I think the worst thing is oil and grease stains on 'that new shirt I just bought you yesterday'. It's just pure satisfaction making a little part of the rover better than it was bit by bit. Its definitely an attachment to a vehicle with character and personality. I feel safest in a vehicle I know intimately instead of not knowing whats going on in my toyonissajero appliance.

Cheers,

Brian.

I agree..I used to drive brand new Audi's for my old job..so out of touch and characterless..like a PC on wheels!:angel:

I love my old my old zooks