Advice sought re purchase of a Land Rover

**Dobby** · 12th March 2012, 07:15 AM

G'day,
I'm new to this site and am after some advice please. I am considering purchasing a Series Three Land Rover. I did own a 76 model two door long wheel base which had a 202 motor in it years ago, and I still regret selling it.

I have been looking at a couple of Series three vehicles recently, although there doesn't seem to be many around. I looked at a 74 model two door which had a Holden 161 engine in it and was unregistered and needed some cosmetic work, but old mate wanted $3500-00 for it. Another one I saw which is registered and a 77 model which had a 202 engine in it is on the market for $5700-00.

Could anyone tell me what sort of price range I should be looking at for a series three and what the availability of spare parts, body panels etc is. Also are those Fairey or Toro overdrives still available and what sort of price would I be looking at for one and where would I find one?

Any advice would help. Many thanks.

**mick88** · 12th March 2012, 07:38 AM

The prices all vary, as does the condition of vehicles on the market.
At the end of the day if you see one you like and you want it, you have to pay for it! They are getting on in years now and so there will always be a buck to spend and something to do on them, so you can always throw a few hours into them.

They are a lot of fun and pleasure.....with the occasional "expletive" thrown in.

Cheers, Mick.

**87County** · 12th March 2012, 08:44 AM

others may not agree, but if I was starting out I would go for one that hadn't been mechanically altered from as it was when it was built - and probably a 4 cyl one at that ...

.. although my first LR was a 6cyl ex-army and it was trouble-free

... and try to get one that is registered - saves a lot of mucking about

I would very definitely avoid holden (and other) conversions unless you are very confident of your mechanical experience for many good reasons including:
. many were fairly amateur in their execution and chassis alterations
. some kits didn't fit properly
. the gearbox is less suited to and a little weak for the holden
. the oil pickup in the sump isn't good for the kind of grades an LR can travel

- that being said they do have their devotees

2nd hand overdrives do come up for sale now & again from $100 to $1,000 - but the condition of a used one could be quite variable depending on how it was used and maintained
a lot seem to have been more abused than used (and therefore worthless) - again, are you equipped to check it out?

**akelly** · 14th March 2012, 04:11 PM

Pretty much what ^he said!

I'll add though, if the holden conversion is done properly they can be OK. My IIA has one and it's fine (although I would prefer a landy donk).

Things to watch out for are bodgy chassis repairs, rust in the doors and firewall - they are all expensive repairs.

If it's not leaking oil underneath it's either just been degreased or there is no oil in there - I had both those issues when I bought my last one!

$5700 seems very high for a series - it would want to be very good for that money. I sold my SIII wagon (1980 model) about 12 years ago for $6000 and it was in near-new condition still (I was second owner) with an overdrive and recond landy motor.

You can buy a V8 county for not much more than $5700 these days.

Good luck!

Adam

**Dobby** · 16th March 2012, 07:37 AM

Many thanks Adam,
The Series 111 I saw was on the carpoint website and is at Hunters Hill N.S.W. I thought it might be a bit high given that I had one very similar 20 odd years ago and I only paid $3800 back then. I'll keep looking. There certainly doesn't seem to be as many around as there used to be, which is a shame. I guess they are getting a bit old now.
Regards
Vince

**The ho har's** · 16th March 2012, 08:31 AM

Those prices seem a bit high to me, they would have to be in tip top condition

registered, drive away

Mrs hh

**banjo** · 16th March 2012, 11:52 AM

HHHHMMMMMMMM
And i'm seriously think of selling my green one LWB 202 .Full power steering.Duel batteries ,PTO winch that works just needs rope or wire rope.& i'm about to put 12 months rego on it..

**banjo** · 16th March 2012, 12:00 PM

Wot else does it have HHMMMMM duel fuel tanks REGO as a 6 seater full engineers certificate.spare wheel carrier nice interior good mud tyres UHF ? maybe may keep that. Small fridge cooler behind center cubby box.CD player in over head consol hilift jack on the back rear work light above rear door we use as reverse light aswell .Thermo fan with switch on dash.The green one in my signature picture although some what faded..
MAY EVEN TRADE FOR A DISCO1.

**Dobby** · 16th March 2012, 01:13 PM

How much would you be looking at for it? Sounds interesting. Power steering?? That can't be oirginal, but sounds pretty flash

**JDNSW** · 16th March 2012, 01:20 PM

As I have commented in other threads, it is very difficult to put a price on Series Landrovers. The problem is, the market is very thin, probably no more than about half a dozen on the market and around the same number of buyers Australia wide at any instant in time. At those numbers, all it takes is either an extra buyer who needs one now to really push the price up, or someone who has to sell now, to really push the price down.

Having said that, price really depends on condition, but I would suggest a price range of $500 (set by scrap value) to $5000 for one in near perfect condition, long rego (as indicated, merging into the 110 V8 prices. The only reason for going over these prices would be if it has something special about it - special owner, rare model, that sort of thing. (One that could go over would be the Factory Isuzu Stage 1 Series 3)

If it is unregistered, and has not been used for a while you can start at say, $5000, and subtract from that what you need to spend immediately - almost certainly brake and clutch hydraulics, probably tyres, new battery, rego, insurance, and then look at any work that may need doing - rusty chassis, upholstery, seat belts, wiring, brakes, leaking oil seals, exhaust, scratched windscreen. A lot of these are not much if you do the work yourself, but they add up quite rapidly. As a result it is hard to justify paying more than about $2500 for anything that is not registered and going. Unmodified vehicles will always command higher prices than modified ones.

All parts are available readily for Series 3 except some parts that are special for the V8, and engine parts for the six that could be a bit hard to find. And most parts are cheap compared to most other cars.

Overdrives are available new - Fairey from Rovers Down South in New Orleans, although I don't believe the Toro is. There is another North American overdrive also available, stronger than the Fairey but more expensive, but I can't remember the name.

You will find that there are some people think that their old Series 3 is worth a fortune - it isn't. Similarly, you will find restored versions that someone has spent a fortune on and expect to get it back - restoring any sort of car simply does not work that way!

John

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