Value of an '80s Defender 110?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’m looking at a 1983 Defender 110 , RHD, FD35T Nissan 4-cylinder turbo diesel, LT77 5-speed gearbox, 153k. Marketed as a daily driver, looks solid in the pictures, the ad mentions rear crossmember rust as the only real issue. I have no freaking clue what it’s worth. NAS 110 Defenders are pretty obscenely priced, but I can’t find many comparable import 110s to compare to. What does a nice 1980s import 110 go for?

 

[jwlester]

No way to give any guidance without knowing the true condition. Depends on how we define "nice"? You should go check out all the threads at d90.com. Should give you a pretty good perspective. The sky is the limit depending on what kind of rebuild this thing has come through. Most need major work even if they are "driver" condition.

 

[Red90]

$10 to $15 if it is stock and in decent shape.

 

[meatblanket]

If this is the brown 110 in Littleton CO, it has been sold.:sombrero:

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

If this is the brown 110 in Littleton CO, it has been sold.:sombrero:

Damn!!!

 

[jwlester]

Pictures?? I'll be diving into this search at some point, but have purposely stayed away from temptation lately. The projects section at D90 is bad influence. Good luck with the search 'whipped'.

 

[owhiting]

used land rovers

There will be another 110 along soon. Make sure you check for rust on the frame!!!
If the rear cross member is rusty or has been replaced there is likely more rust to be found. Take a flash light and a screwdriver and get under the truck and poke around.

Check the front outriggers that support the bulkhead and the cross member in front of the rear axle. This is a little hard to get to as it usually rust from the top of the frame rails down right where the cross member is welded to the frame. A little mirror might help in this area but get your hands dirty, reach in to these areas and poke around.

Land Rover frames are very light guage steel and know for rust issues.

 

[meatblanket]

Indeed, there will be more, and price is entirely dependent upon condition, which is very hard to assess unless you inspect it in person. Rust is the biggest concern with these, and you need to watch out for shiny new paint that might be hiding something horrifying. Caveat emptor.

The Littleton truck had some rust, but had never been painted so you could at least see what you were getting.

 

[rijosho]

Pictures?? I'll be diving into this search at some point, but have purposely stayed away from temptation lately. The projects section at D90 is bad influence. Good luck with the search 'whipped'.

Last posted price was $17k.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=305493670&dealer_id=66578167&atc_id=AT-123576a6

PRICE REDUCTION - $17,000 OBO This is a 100% LEGALLY imported 110. DO NOT find yourself in trouble with US Customs by buying a truck that is less than 25yrs old and was imported illegally. Customs WILL come and take your truck! You are then looking a having a FEDERAL Conviction as well as an empty bank account. 1983 Land Rover Defender 110, Right Hand Drive, Brown Exterior with Beige (Cloth Seats) Interior, 4cyl NISSAN DIESEL ENGINE!!!, 5 spd Manual Transmission, All Wheel Drive, 4X4 Hi and Low , Original 153,000 Miles. VIN SALLDHMH7AA194700 Too many rovers at the house and this one sadly needs to go. It has been my daily driver and is very solid inside and out. This thing is ready to take you to the mountains or the beach. Seats EIGHT people! As tough and ready to go as they come. Valid state vehicle inspection. Recent new starter, and wiring upgrade done by local Rover specialist. Engine ( Nissan FD35T) runs STRONG. This is the standard Nissan commercial engine and has more power than the Rover 300Tdi!! This engine conversion was done in the U.K. and appears stock. This is NOT a hack job. VERY well done conversion. Frame is solid. Only rust of any concern is on the bottom of the rear crossmember. Replacement part is approx $300 from Rovers North. The truck isn't 100% perfect, and it is not priced as such. I've had a few questions about Air Conditioning... sorry, but no.. the truck does not have air. The GOOD news is that it can easily be added through a company such as "Vintage Air" http://www.vintageair.com/ Serious inquiries welcome. No foreign sales, no trades, no food stamps, no post dated third party checks from your cousin in Nigeria. Cash is king. Those willing to come visit and take the truck for a test drive will be allowed to wheel and deal. $20K is MORE than fair, but I will listen to reasonable offers.

 

[meatblanket]

Sold for $15k.

 

[jwlester]

OH..I thought someone here bought it. Have I avoided these for too long, or is that price absolutely crazy?

 

[LtFuzz]

I followed that truck for a while -- looked like a nice truck and a well done conversion. $15k for a registered diesel D110 that isn't falling apart is not a bad deal at all. I don't mind that paint either.

 

[LtFuzz]

or is that price absolutely crazy?

Start pricing NAS 110s if you want to step into Crazy Land.

The 25 year rule is static and time marches on. IMO the market for for NAS D90s/D110s will disintegrate once Julian, et al., can start shipping over the ROW Defenders we want.

We're rapidly closing in on that threshold. 2012 is no time to be investing $100,000 in an NAS.

 

[jwlester]

You're speaking to the choir here. I was more thinking $12k was reasonable...but I admittedly don't know much more than what I've seen buddies in the UK and Germany bringing back. Personally, I'd rather spend $50k touching every nut and bolt and upgrade on an early 110 rather than any money on an NAS 110.

I agree that the market just keeps opening up more and more every year. I haven't thought about it enough to have an idea of when things will really "fall apart" but I expect to be working in Europe for a while over the next few years and will probably be more tempted then.

Start pricing NAS 110s if you want to step into Crazy Land.

The 25 year rule is static and time marches on. IMO the market for for NAS D90s/D110s will disintegrate once Julian, et al., can start shipping over the ROW Defenders we want.

We're rapidly closing in on that threshold. 2012 is no time to be investing $100,000 in an NAS.

 

[overlander]

Start pricing NAS 110s if you want to step into Crazy Land.

The 25 year rule is static and time marches on. IMO the market for for NAS D90s/D110s will disintegrate once Julian, et al., can start shipping over the ROW Defenders we want.

We're rapidly closing in on that threshold. 2012 is no time to be investing $100,000 in an NAS.

Actually, NAS 110's in typical condition tend to run in the $40k-$60k range. $100k is going to be for something like an ECR full restoration with improvements version, of which there are not many of. Also, New Englanders seem to pay a premium to have their Defenders parked in the driveway of their beach house in Nantucket, which keeps the price up.

I am all for more Defenders coming in, and keep in mind I have an NAS 110. I love looking at them and would like to see more on the trails and highways doing what they were built to do. Also, the more they come in, the more suppliers will be compelled to offer TDI and Defender specific parts.

I will say that on D-90.com, this topic has been debated quite a bit and most believe that the prices for NAS's won't come down with more 25 year Defenders coming in. Something about that US VIN that gives a sense of comfort to EPA, DOT and insurance companies (warranted or not). I bought my 110 before the 25 year rule kicked in, but if I were to buy today, I would probably commit around $25k and go with a Euro 110 county with a 300tdi and r380 in it. What a great base expo vehicle that would be!