Ethics of dismantling

[Bundalene]

I am having difficulties in coming to terms of dismantling any of these early vehicles. Each time I manage to source another car I look at it and think of how it would look restored, not thinking of the fact that the parts to do this have to come from somewhere, regardless of whether I wreck out a car or purchase parts from someone else.

To date (since late July) we have collected:

53 model from Razerback auction with a Holden engine: needs new engine, tiny bit of firewall rust, brakes as a minimum, all lights, horn, .....

51 from Razerback auction which I am restoring - needs front and rear hubs, many engine parts steering, as well as a full rebuild, have sourced horn button, lights, dash, steering box, ... (matching numbers)

58 model from Walcha auction - drives, brakes work - needs steering work, have sourced all lights etc etc (Matching numbers I think). This is my favorite at this stage!

50 Model from scrap yard - no engine in poor condition, am using hubs for 51 above (current garden ornament)

51 from Boree Creek paddock - many good parts, engine turns over, missing rear diff, else fairly complete, bent chassis (probably matching numbers)

51 from Boree Creek paddock - many good parts, missing front swivels, tail shafts, engine partly stripped and incomplete, won't turn over, (probably matching numbers)

I am thinking of dismantling the 50 model (no original engine) and either the 53 as there is no original engine, so no matching numbers or the last 51 as the chassis is in a poor state (very rusty underneath without having a good look) I plan restore the 51 fully, and bringing the others up to a running condition, engine, steering transmission and brakes, without throwing huge amounts of money at them.


SWMBO has advised that there will be no more, so that is that, maybe if one disappears, another can arrive :p:p. And I am sure we can find a seat box for you Diana, maybe not the correct colour though..

I know of 7 more 80's and 86's, some of which the owners will not part with or are too expensive, others I haven't asked about. I have yet to find under cover storage for the last 2 but this will happen shortly, (this week).

Any comments on the ethics of dismantling would be appreciated.

At the end of the day, most of these vehicles were snatched from scrap metal dealers, with the total paid for all 6 being $2650, not including transport.



Erich

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Hi Erich

There were 16,000 1950 model and the significant number came to Australia. Original firewalls are rare in the UK and Tom Pickford will buy good ones and ship them to the UK. I have called Tom a rapist at times for doing it (and for one other part relocation), but there is an argument on both sides.

If I were considering the ones to keep, I would always go for the 1948 and 1949 models, then best/most complete followed by early 1950 (lights behind grill). Then use the common parts off the 1951/52/53 models to restore the earlier cars. Simply because the older the more valuable.

Many 1953 steering boxes with the steel (2 start square thread) nut and steel worm are valuable because they don't wear out like the brass 5 start nut boxes, the steel worm and nut can restore a earlier box and make a car that doesn't wander all over the road.

As for the seat box, it will be being stripped back to bare aluminium and re-painted RACQ fleet cream, so doesn't matter about the colour just condition. The best one of mine is broken over the transmission tunnel.

[Bundalene]

I have my scouts out there and if I come across a 49 or heaven help, a 48, I may have to make an exception as to keeping it. I was just kidding about the colour!

As for Series 1 wreckers go, I have also had a good look over Walter's yard at Polo Flat - I think he may be retiring sooner than later, he is now only working 2 - 3 days per week. There isn't a lot of hard to get stuff left there, but it would be a shame to see those parts that he does have go to the scrap merchant if he did sell up. I find his general prices a bit steep, but that is how he makes a living, it is all about supply and demand.

The Auto Electrician working in the same building as Walter is a good mate.




Erich

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I bought a capstan winch from Walter about a decade ago. He keeps getting bits but there are too many people who know about him to find really early stuff.

[back_in]

Hi
if you can rebuild do so, what ever way you are comfortable with
it nice to see a old L/R still going
if it take one or many to get it going so be it
do your own thing
enjoy the result
cheers
Ian

[Lost Landy]

I say try to keep the more complete vehicles together, maybe make one good vehicle from both 1951 vehicles from Boree Creek paddock & use the left over parts for the others.

The 1950 should be restored or sold as a project if you don't wish to restore your self esply if its a "lights behind the grill model"


58 model from Walcha auction I myself would probly get that on the road first as from what you said has the least amount of work needed to get it on the road & while you have a series 1 on the road you can keep working on your 1951 from Razerback auction as time allows :D

[Bundalene]

The 50 is neither a lights behind the grill nor a ring pull vehicle. I will keep this one complete as far as the body / chassis / firewall goes. I have a shortage of hubs / swivels and I borrowed these for the time being.

I am intent on following through with the 51 I started. You are right about getting the 58 going, it would be the easiest. At this stage, that would be a distraction and I have the 58 tucked away nicely in a shed. I have 51 parts in a pile in my workshop, which need to be put back as soon as possible, which may take some time. This project is a learning experience for us, the next one will be easier.




Erich

[wrinklearthur]

Hi Eric

I feel your pain. But saying that, I do love the buzz that I get when I see someones new purchase drive out my gate.

Time for me to assess my collection as well, I have already had an inquiry to see if I will sell a pair of tidy 80" mudguards, while that particular Land Rover is dismantled and is missing a engine and some of it's brake parts, it's the only 80" I have and I am not keen to pick the eye's out of it for a short term monetary gain.

If I had ten of those 80" Landys, that would be a much different story and then I wouldn't hesitate to help someone out with some hard to get part.
.

[loanrangie]

I reckon if its beyond an economical repair then its ok to part out, a reasonable more complete vehicle is better left complete for some one elses next project or shed filler.

[russellrovers]

The 50 is neither a lights behind the grill nor a ring pull vehicle. I will keep this one complete as far as the body / chassis / firewall goes. I have a shortage of hubs / swivels and I borrowed these for the time being.

I am intent on following through with the 51 I started. You are right about getting the 58 going, it would be the easiest. At this stage, that would be a distraction and I have the 58 tucked away nicely in a shed. I have 51 parts in a pile in my workshop, which need to be put back as soon as possible, which may take some time. This project is a learning experience for us, the next one will be easier.




Erichhi keep all your parts to fund your resto all orignal parts are going to uk must be pristine there a big market there jim