Originally Posted by
DieselLSE
In early 1993, LRA imported five (or perhaps seven) special build LSEs, one of which was on display at the Sydney Motor Show in 1993 and was subsequently used by the MD whose name escapes me. We bumped into each other in Omeo (on the way to Dinner Plain, he returning) when he recognised the car and introduced himself and told me the story. The Thredbo landslide tragedy occurred later that night.
I think all the special vehicles were Mosswood with brown leather (everywhere!), with birds-eye maple trim, Rolls-Royce style fold out tables behind the front seats and rear air conditioning via a high back centre console with a drinks cabinet and tray. I suspect they were predominantly made for the U.S.A. market as I see heaps of bits for sale over there, in a range of colours.
I think the SE was priced on or about $95k at the time and the LSE $105k. These special vehicles were about $120k.
The show LSE (build date December 1992) was released for sale in late '93 and was bought by a Melbourne based exec for $95k. The company depreciated it to $36.5k three years later and insisted that it be changed over! I grabbed it as my SIII was getting a bit tired.
I expected it to go where the SIII (with FFR sealed ignition and a raised air intake) went with the exception of deep river crossings. Upon purchase, I immediately installed ARB diff locks, bullbar, rear bar, long range tank and winch. Subsequent updates have included IPF lights, an HS2.8 diesel, Mantec raised air intake and an engine driven air compressor. Mods include second battery and relocating EAS from underneath the car (where it was a bugger to work on) to the inside rear to where the absurdly large sub-woofer and CD stacker used to be (I plan on fitting a water tank where the EAS was). The sub-woofer has been replaced with a far superior Alpine unit to match the Alpine head unit which accepts an iPod.
The car has just had a major overhaul, replacing wheel bearings, overhauling swivel pin housings, new disks and pads and overhauled calipers. Interior has been looked after with a new headlining and I replaced the torn and faded leather front seats with a hard wearing Ford cloth as cloth is better in the heat than leather. It would have been nice to have imported the correct leather but hard to justify the cost. It is a bush vehicle after all. Whilst I had the seats out it was straightforward to wire up 12v outlets attached to the seat controls to power a couple of Waeco seat coolers for summer driving. I stripped out the broken seat base heater elements and replaced them with P38 ones. The seat back elements were OK with just one broken wire to be soldered up.
Car was ready to go back on the road a few days ago when I realised the WABCO booster (ANR 1118) had locked up. Probably the power valve. I am looking to see if there's anyone who can work on them, otherwise I'll have to strip it down myself! Parts could be a problem.
