Importing a Series

[roverX]

I have gotten tired of the over inflated prices of Series vehicles here in California. I have decided to work with Series3guy and import one from the UK. Here are a few questions that I have:
1 - petrol or diesel and why? Most have suggested a petrol b/c the parts for a diesel are more difficult to find here in the States.
2 - Since I am looking at a IIa, it will not need to be smogged here in California. Even with this fact, how difficult will it be to register it here in California? Any difference between registering a petrol vs. a diesel?
3 - Since I will be using a shipping container, does anyone else want to import one so we can split the cost of the container?
Thanks!

[pickuprover]

Originally Posted by roverX

I have gotten tired of the over inflated prices of Series vehicles here in California. I have decided to work with Series3guy and import one from the UK. Here are a few questions that I have:
1 - petrol or diesel and why? Most have suggested a petrol b/c the parts for a diesel are more difficult to find here in the States.
2 - Since I am looking at a IIa, it will not need to be smogged here in California. Even with this fact, how difficult will it be to register it here in California? Any difference between registering a petrol vs. a diesel?
3 - Since I will be using a shipping container, does anyone else want to import one so we can split the cost of the container?
Thanks!

can't help on 2 and 3 but as for the diesel/petrol debate....

It really depends what you want to do with the truck...the petrol parts might be easier to find (but doing a quick search of the usual parts suspects, the diesel parts seem to be readily available) , but the diesel has less to go wrong and generally requires less maintence. If you want a off road truck (ie not running a lot on highways) then I would go with the diesel. The torque is greater and they have more lower end power, however do not have the top end, making an overdrive a nessecity for any long distance travel. Then there is as well the gas price debate.... Personally I wish that my truck was diesel. I almost replaced my engine with a diesel when I rebuilt it, but time and money made that option a little less attractive.
I would seriously consider the diesel option, asssuming thatit will not give you any hasselswith the Cali emmision laws...

[onslow]

Originally Posted by roverX

I have gotten tired of the over inflated prices of Series vehicles here in California. I have decided to work with Series3guy and import one from the UK. Here are a few questions that I have:
1 - petrol or diesel and why? Most have suggested a petrol b/c the parts for a diesel are more difficult to find here in the States.
2 - Since I am looking at a IIa, it will not need to be smogged here in California. Even with this fact, how difficult will it be to register it here in California? Any difference between registering a petrol vs. a diesel?
3 - Since I will be using a shipping container, does anyone else want to import one so we can split the cost of the container?
Thanks!

Be aware that british series vehicles are now becoming very hard to find in the condition you guys are accustomed to, corrosion is a major problem here and it can prove costly to put them right im not decrying series 3 guys knowledge but it takes a keen eye and many many years of experience to fine the "right" motor for your needs.

Good series motors are hard to find over here and mint ones are drawing very high premiums indeed for a very good series 2a with little to no corrosion you will be looking at £3500-5000 and thats if you can find one.

A tatty 2a needinga lot of work but usable will be £1500,The last thing you need is a heap turning up in a container and then spending a fortune on parts just to get it in a usable state.

Really do have a think to see if its worth it, dry state US motors will beat anything we have here in the UK in terms of condition of course then there is the right hand drive issues,lighting etc all different on US vehicles then there is the importation fees etc

[roverX]

Good points Andrew about the diesel - I was always told that the parts were harder to come by but there is soooo much less to go wrong. I am really thinking about a diesel with an overdrive. But like Onlsow says, a IIa in good condition might be hard to come by. In the end, it might be the condition of the truck that determines whether I get a diesel or a petrol.

Onslow, even though it might be harder to find a decent non-rust IIa in the UK at the moment, I am a patient man. Yes, I can get them here in the States but most of the guys selling them are pompous asses. I would rather spend a bit more than line their pockets with my money. Besides, there seems to be some adventure in all of this too. I think very Series needs to have a story behind it, like how it was acquired by the owner and so forth. Just makes land rover life a bit more exciting.

As far as the RHD issue...I am ok with that. It might take a bit getting used to but I suspect it won't be too bad. I grew up driving farm equipment with centrally located steering mechanisms and so forth.

Thanks for the input!

[TerryS]

Even with an overdrive, a 2 1/4 liter diesel is painfully slow. The novelty wears off quickly. the 2.5 isn't much better. There isn't anything you can't buy for the 2 1/4 gas engine from the better know suppliers over here, but in the US, Diesel parts, especially engine internals are very difficult to get, off the shelf, though RN and BP will order anything for you. AB won't be of much help at all for diesel. I have rebuilt several 2 1/4 gas and they are very easy to work on. Setting the timing on a petrol engine is a walk in the park, not so with the diesel. Yes, I love diesels too, and am in the shortstrokes on buying a 300tdi for my 110, but the little NA engine just don't do it for me anymore.
Good 2As are getting hard to find anywhere, and even though I far prefer the sparceness of them, don't turn your nose up at a series three if it's sound.

RHD will take you 90 seconds to get used to, but don't buy one unless there are windows all around, as in the station wagon. Visibility in a hardtop or commercial isn't there and makes driving on any multilane road a fright. Also, RHD brings a fairbit less on resale over here.

Don't be afraid of a very good 2A with a bad chassis, as it's a pretty easy job doing a chassis swap. Doing a 109 chassis swap isn't too much more difficult, on a 3 door, or pickup, but a 5 door is finicky in getting it all to line back up right. 109 frames are quite a bit more expensive than 88 frames.
Having imported a 40' container every week for more than 10 years, and nearly as much by air, I can tell you I know a fair bit about importing, but first and foremost, costs have gone thru the roof, and paperwork is everything. Pick out your import broker before you buy, because you won't be happy with one that gets assigned to you by the freight forwarder. FWIW, you can get 3 88s in a 40' container, or two 109s. Freight from an east coast port to CA may be nearly as much as Felixstowe to Baltimore or NY.
I paid $1200 for my first 2A, when it was 2 years old. Those days are gone. I agree there are some silly prices being put on many, but there are still some decent ones too. The Green 2A on ebay that the guy put $34k for a buy-it-now price, is over the top, but it's perhaps the nicest restoration I have seen, and that's saying something, since I've seen loads. If I sold my freshly restored 2A for 13, I would just break even. As Onslow says, you may get something that passes MOT for a seemingly fair price, but add the shipping and then not be happy and no price is a good price.
If it were me, with airfares so low, I'd go over and hand pick it out. Too bad the dollar is so low against the pound though, makes a pint of Stones or Worthington cost $5.00

[75series3]

Hey X

There is guy in the Atlanta area that imports them all the time. This is where my 75 came from .........mainly military stuff. My was a radio truck from the belgium army and came 2wd from the factory. She is kind of rare in these parts.....I will see what i can come up with on finding out more info on this guy......

tim

[roverX]

Thank you Terry and Tim. My reason for wanting a series is having wheeled with them alot, I am extremely impressed with their abilities. I am not looking to restore one, nor am I looking for one in pristine condition. Mechanically sound with a few dents and dings is fine by me. I will drive it around town and use it as a daily driver along with my disco. And I will be using it for offroading. I am not a speed demon and have not been for the last 11 years since my oldest was born! LOL! I actually enjoy putting around at the speed limit.

So having said that, what would you advise me to do?

[75series3]

I email my brother and checking to see if the guy in Georgia has a website........I will let you know later

[onslow]

Originally Posted by roverX

Good points Andrew about the diesel - I was always told that the parts were harder to come by but there is soooo much less to go wrong. I am really thinking about a diesel with an overdrive. But like Onlsow says, a IIa in good condition might be hard to come by. In the end, it might be the condition of the truck that determines whether I get a diesel or a petrol.

Onslow, even though it might be harder to find a decent non-rust IIa in the UK at the moment, I am a patient man. Yes, I can get them here in the States but most of the guys selling them are pompous asses. I would rather spend a bit more than line their pockets with my money. Besides, there seems to be some adventure in all of this too. I think very Series needs to have a story behind it, like how it was acquired by the owner and so forth. Just makes land rover life a bit more exciting.

As far as the RHD issue...I am ok with that. It might take a bit getting used to but I suspect it won't be too bad. I grew up driving farm equipment with centrally located steering mechanisms and so forth.

Thanks for the input!

Cant argue with that!!!

Ill keep my nose to the ground for you I get offered motors regularly

[75series3]

YO X

My brother emailed me back and the guy in Marietta used to have a website and he kept all his imports in Alabama really close to he georgia border. He has forgotten his name and such......maybe if you do a search on Military rovers alabama and or go to the Atlanta area rovers club site (which i forget) and you could find him that way........

[p76rangie]

Why don't you import one from Australia. They are very cheap over here and if you by from the southern states they will have less rust in them. If you find a reputable dealer, you should be OK.

Ian

[roverX]

Ian - never thought of that. Shipping might be a bit more though...

[-MOSES-]

I got my Series from LiverPool, Pain in the butt , Customs, container, registering in Texas(easier than Cali) ect ect ! There are alot of nice trucks over here for good prices . And again rust Ect ! I got lucky on mine but still had to fix small things . Deisels do cost a little more and are a little harder to import, not too much harder but emessions yada yada, smoke ect !
I know you and I say find a nice Series 2 and put a RRC under it !! LOL

[roverX]

Originally Posted by -MOSES-

I got my Series from LiverPool, Pain in the butt , Customs, container, registering in Texas(easier than Cali) ect ect ! There are alot of nice trucks over here for good prices . And again rust Ect ! I got lucky on mine but still had to fix small things . Deisels do cost a little more and are a little harder to import, not too much harder but emessions yada yada, smoke ect !
I know you and I say find a nice Series 2 and put a RRC under it !! LOL

Hey Mo...PM me the details on the costs you paid for shipping, problems with customs...thanks

[p76rangie]

My Mechanic use to export series landrovers to the middle east, etc. He also has a good collection of series vehicles that he is often willing to part with. He would make sure it was in good condition before sending and would do any mods required. But I am not sure whether he would still arrange the export, etc.

Personally I would not be bothering with the 2A, I would go for a Stage 1 Series 3. It has a V8 and constant 4WD. Also remember we have a large Range of Series vehicles here and you would have to be specific as to what you want. The Military was a big user, so you can get ambulances, etc. There were limited editions like the "Game". Many of the 4 Cyl ones have been converted to Holden (GM) 6's. In later models we have 6wd 130's. We also have 110's County.

You can look at various car sales web sites to get an idea as to what is around. You could also look in the for sale section of www.lrocv.com.au/forum.

Ian