79 Series III Lightweight -- what's it worth?

[CRJeepin]

Have been CL stalking diesel Rovers for a while and dreaming of an expedition, someday. Definitely would want a diesel for the fuel efficiency...and cool factor! I've spent some time on Rovers North and know enough to be dangerous, but not much more....

Saw this '79 on CL and followed the link to the website of the company listing it. I've read a little about the lightweights and understand what they were developed for, but do they make a better or worse expo rig than their civilian cousins of same vintage? And, is the price for this way out of whack, or in line with what you'd expect? Seems reasonable given that it was imported and is in good running order, but like I said I don't know much about Rovers. http://www.oldenglishcars.com/id44.html

Also saw this '84, sounds like it needs a rebuild and I'd like to find a 110, rather than an 88, but curious if the price is in the right ballpark or not? http://asheville.craigslist.org/ctd/2478159642.html

Any comments or suggestions appreciated!

Thanks,
Chris

 

[dcwhybrew]

Looks like that could be a good price. I am not an expert on Series vehicles though. Post the pics and prices on the roversnorth website and get their opinion. Note that it says the chassis is in good condition. I am a bit skeptical, so you may want to get some pictures of the chasis. It's easy to do a cheap paint job (good ones arent cheap) and clean up a body, but expensive to repair or replace a chasis.

Judging by the pictures though, I would say chances are better than average that the chasis is in great shape along with the body. Maybe someone here can go look at it for you if you arent in the area?

 

[proper4wd]

That price seems high for a non-original lightweight.

Mechanically they are exactly the same as a similar-generation 88", save the axle shaft lengths. They are even less "refined" though. Slightly smaller inside. Hard tops don't fit quite correctly (they were never offered in that configuration originally). Body parts and fittings can be hard to find. Weigh all of this against your needs in a vehicle.

Edit:

Also, "Lightweight" is misleading because they are actually slightly heavier than a standard 88". The accurate description would be "airportable". The major design spec that was changed was the overall width. This was to allow two vehicles to fit side by side in the military cargo planes of the time. Weight was not a concern.

 

[Wander]

Old English is a pretty well thought of dealer, they do a lot of consignment works as well so give them a call and see whats what. As you have probably learned the two biggies are the chassis and bulkheads. This is ex-mod but it doesn't say where it was used. The MOD like any military are know for painting anything that doesn't move which can often hide rust that is forming, when it comes out of MOD and the buyer starts taking off the many layers of paint they can often find a nasty surprise. Old English is just outside Asheville which isn't terribly far from you so if you're serious it would worth a weekend trip to wonderful western NC (spin it as a get away to your SO) The MOD trucks have dual tanks and the already heavy duty bits found on all series trucks is even heavier duty so do't expect anything like comfort or suspension compliance-it aint there. They usally have uprated heaters as well that often actually work-a rarity in a series. My 64 IIa was an absolute blast to own and drive, sure it took me longer to get anywhere but I wasn't out for speed. I miss her terribly quirks and all.

 

[Antichrist]

If it's the original engine expect it you have an engine oil cooler in front of the radiator as that was stock. It's about 8" wide and about 15" tall.
All IIA's were used by the British Armed Services and most were petrol. If you find a diesel IIA the odds are good it was converted. Even for the Series III most MoD were petrol, but for export diesels were more common, particularly for Denmark which used primarily diesel versions.
It's not a big deal to convert one to diesel, I did mine, but the heater pipes enter the cab right where the cross-shaft for the throttle runs (on LHD versions) so you have to decide if you want to ditch the heater or configure a different kind of throttle linkage.

The actual designation was "TRUCK, UTILITY, 1/2 ton, 4 x 4".
The "Lightweight" name comes from the fact that the original specs required the it to be able to be carried by the Westland Wessex helicopter. They were also called "Air-portable", but that doesn't differentiate them from the 3/4 ton Air-portable that was designed to be stacked in cargo planes (if I recall correctly the 3/4 ton never went in to production. Certinaly not on a large scale).

The 1967 Land Rover adverts for the 1/2 ton referred to them both as lightweight and air-portable.

As for the hard tops, even though most came with soft tops hard tops weren't uncommon in all branches and were actually very common on RAF versions. A variety of tops were fitted, with panel sides, fixed windows and sliding windows. Sometimes the windows were oversprayed.
Though none came from the factory with hardtops, Land Rover supplied them as a kit to the services for retrofit.
The REME used yet a third type that had rounded top corners on the sides.

(TOM: I had to remove the last image as the author of the book respectfully asked for it to be removed because it was posted without attribution)

 

[Series1Rangie]

your in the ballpark, but it sounds like what you want is a lwb diesel. If you have a little more in your budget than those postings, I would look at getting a 110 from Blanchards There is a guy on gunsandrovers that has one, and the picts are impressive. I heard he was pretty happy with it. took a few months to get it here, but it looks clean, and they met his specs (as long as he didn't want a motor swap) and they are LHD.

something to keep in mind.

Mike and Myles

 

[Antichrist]

I've been in PA Blanchard's shop and seen their work in progress. It looks well done. They certainly don't lack for parts.
This is what I saw there that I really want, and only £10,000