'72 SWB LR - should I, shouldn't I?
Discussion
I have been offered a MOT fail SWB 1972 2.25 L petrol Series 3 for under a grand. It runs and failed only on a rusted bulkhead (which does look like a patchwork quilt with moth holes). However the rest appears solid with a recent new chassis and sympathetic last owner.
I good friends with my spanners and can look a welder in the eye. However having spent enough time in the military when a Wolf trip would mean hours of uncomfortable travel, I'm not sure why my heart says buy it. Perhaps it is just an iconic box that needs ticking.
Or should I forget it as a money pit that would give me a classic that was even slow and uncomfortable in its day. However the idea of stripping it back with cab and back off for the summer around the local lanes appeals.
Any advice appreciated, thanks.
I good friends with my spanners and can look a welder in the eye. However having spent enough time in the military when a Wolf trip would mean hours of uncomfortable travel, I'm not sure why my heart says buy it. Perhaps it is just an iconic box that needs ticking.
Or should I forget it as a money pit that would give me a classic that was even slow and uncomfortable in its day. However the idea of stripping it back with cab and back off for the summer around the local lanes appeals.
Any advice appreciated, thanks.
They're definitely slow and uncomfortable, but great fun for pottering about locally especially with the roof and door tops removed. I actually prefer driving with no roof or just a canvas bikini as it's much quieter!
Rotten bulkhead is a big issue though. Unless it's localised and repairable your looking at a couple of grand for a new one, or several hundred for a used one that needs work and there's a lot of labour to swap it out too. I think by the time it was done you could have spent as much as it would cost to buy one that's good to go.
Rotten bulkhead is a big issue though. Unless it's localised and repairable your looking at a couple of grand for a new one, or several hundred for a used one that needs work and there's a lot of labour to swap it out too. I think by the time it was done you could have spent as much as it would cost to buy one that's good to go.
A new bulkhead is around £1800. They're a relatively easy job on a Series as everything is a wee bit smaller and less electronically weighed down than on a Defender so access is a bit more forgiving.
With all the right tools, a lot of confidence and a bit of luck they can be turned round in a weekend. It seems a daunting job, but it's like anything on a Land Rover.....be methodical and note where everything is located.
The question is whether the vehicle is worth £2k of investment, or will you end up subsequently committing to even more jobs (and money) in order to get your money's worth out of swapping the bulkhead? The last thing you want is to spend money and time on the bulkhead then scrap it a month later if/when the gearbox goes pop for example.
And it does seem a bit odd that whoever changed the chassis didn't use that opportunity to sort the bulkhead.
All of that aside, whether it's the vehicle for you is entirely your decision. A Series is even more lethargic and unforgiving than a Wolf, by some considerable margin, but if it's destined to be a biffabout weekend toy I'd give it a go.
With all the right tools, a lot of confidence and a bit of luck they can be turned round in a weekend. It seems a daunting job, but it's like anything on a Land Rover.....be methodical and note where everything is located.
The question is whether the vehicle is worth £2k of investment, or will you end up subsequently committing to even more jobs (and money) in order to get your money's worth out of swapping the bulkhead? The last thing you want is to spend money and time on the bulkhead then scrap it a month later if/when the gearbox goes pop for example.
And it does seem a bit odd that whoever changed the chassis didn't use that opportunity to sort the bulkhead.
All of that aside, whether it's the vehicle for you is entirely your decision. A Series is even more lethargic and unforgiving than a Wolf, by some considerable margin, but if it's destined to be a biffabout weekend toy I'd give it a go.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 25th August 08:00
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 25th August 08:02
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