A reg defender project

greenlanebasher · Dec 19, 2015

Hi everyone,
Not content with owning one old 110 I am now considering another! It's an early 2.5na 110 commercial that has been off the road since 2001. I went to look at it today and it is a bit of a wreck to be honest! Chassis is completely wrecked bulkhead has the structural integrity of a teabag rear crossmember and fuel tank, missing presumed dead. Both front doors are wrecked the interior is destroyed thanks to mice. The rear door and the other bodywork is in remarkably good condition other than a dent in a side panel. It has lift up handle front doors with sliding Windows and a 2 hinge rear door with the usual defender running gear underneath. The engine does not run and transmission is untested so the big question is, is it really worth it? If I was to do it it would be rebuilt on a Galv chassis from the bottom up with a new Galv bulkhead, disco 200tdi engine etc. A quick tot up this evening indicated all the major parts would total 5.5-6k. So my question is, any idea what a "restored" A reg defender with mot would be worth because they are hard to come by!
Thanks
Matt

Kwakerman · Dec 19, 2015

Generally you will never get back what you put in it both financially and man-hours wise plus what standard will you build it to (resprayed?). If you are intending to build it then flog it to make a profit then you are probably on to a looser. If you intend to keep it then the financial value doesn't really come in to it as long as you are happy to put the time, effort and money in to it. Insurance value is a different matter!

waldamar · Dec 20, 2015

Depends how long you're willing to keep it - 25 or 30 years ago I walked away from a couple of Series 1's because they needed a tiny bit of work - if I had them now.........................................
I've got an A reg - love it though it seems to hate me - but it's certainly not going down in value. Iconic motor, future classic, early ones are getting rare, I think it's your duty to save this one [and at present bits are really cheap] Buy it but only if it's a LONG term project would be my advice, A

greenlanebasher · Dec 20, 2015

Unfortunately it would have to be a case of rebuild then sell, I already have a d reg 110 and I don't have the space for 2 but I just can't bring myself to condem it to the scrap heap. Basically if I don't have it it is going on the heap and unfortunately the more I think about it, it is not cost effective but I just can't face saying no. You say parts are cheap waldamar but doors seem difficult to find, especially with Galv frames, and basic ones are £360 each! If it was not so cheap to buy it would help make up my mind but the bloke is practically giving to to me

Matt

bluehaze · Dec 20, 2015

Sounds perfect to me but I have a garage full of spares and enjoy tinkering. If you're able to take the long term view in order to buy the parts at a good price then it is worth it. Buy it and put it away for a rainy day.

Al2O3 · Dec 20, 2015

You will need to do some market research, to see how much models like that are going for. Also, the difference between rebuilding it to original spec and putting a different engine in etc. As has already been mentioned, if you are getting a decent respray how will that affect final price. Then it's down to your choice. Generally speaking parts are not that expensive. However, multiply inexpensive by hundreds of parts and you still get a massive bill. On something like that I reckon you will easily spend 6K if you do the rebuild to the level you are suggesting. They are going for silly money, so if you do a top job, you might be surprised at what you get back.

Turboman · Dec 20, 2015

greenlanebasher said:
Hi everyone,
Not content with owning one old 110 I am now considering another! It's an early 2.5na 110 commercial that has been off the road since 2001. I went to look at it today and it is a bit of a wreck to be honest! Chassis is completely wrecked bulkhead has the structural integrity of a teabag rear crossmember and fuel tank, missing presumed dead. Both front doors are wrecked the interior is destroyed thanks to mice. The rear door and the other bodywork is in remarkably good condition other than a dent in a side panel. It has lift up handle front doors with sliding Windows and a 2 hinge rear door with the usual defender running gear underneath. The engine does not run and transmission is untested so the big question is, is it really worth it? If I was to do it it would be rebuilt on a Galv chassis from the bottom up with a new Galv bulkhead, disco 200tdi engine etc. A quick tot up this evening indicated all the major parts would total 5.5-6k. So my question is, any idea what a "restored" A reg defender with mot would be worth because they are hard to come by!
Thanks
Matt

A reg. That will be a One-Ten. Defenders didnt start til about an H plate!

Valuing vehicles at a distance is difficult, especially when the vehicle doesnt actually exist yet.

My best guess would be that an A reg One-Ten with a Disco engine might sell for about 5-6k. Maybe a bit more if it was really well done. So I would doubt if that is worth doing unless you want to keep the vehicle yourself. I think you might spend a bit more than that on the rebuild as well, little things add up!

If I was going to do it, I think I would go with original engine, more likely to get classic interest like that than a bitsa.

flat · Dec 20, 2015

Original engine etc also makes it US importable so could bump the price up

A reg defender project

greenlanebasher

Active Member

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

waldamar

Well-Known Member

greenlanebasher

Active Member

bluehaze

Well-Known Member

Al2O3

Well-Known Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

flat

Well-Known Member

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