SERIES ONE PRICE BUBBLE?

Hi, on a desire to get the whole set I have been looking at the series one.
I have seen lots. can somebody tell me why they are commanding such ridiculous prices?
In terms of usefulness and robust construction they are not a patch on the series 2-3, are underpowered and for the 80 inch- just too bloody small!
I walked away from one deal- no doubt financially sound as my head and wife would say, But my heart says "but I don't want one" I only have 6 land rovers - do I really need a series one as an unloved investment?
Comments from the floor......

Value wise to a dedicated Land Rover fan Priceless. The problem even if the sight of worn out type field mouse version would tug at the most budding. I guess this the same as bits of the old rugged cross or caveman drawings. The only benefit and wealth is to the person owning for the time being on the planet. Remember just because you want doesn't mean the offsprings and the misses or gay lover also want it after.

i think it would be more than difficult for anyone to try to validate wanting a series 1 for usefulness. i reckon its just the value of having one of the ones that "started it all" rather than any practical reasons. couple that with the defender dynasty coming to an end and casting a lot of eyes on its origins and a few high price and high profile auctions and people have just whacked the premium on to reflect that. its good that they are appreciating, but as it does there will be less motors around that new folks can afford. i think prices will creep down a little again before long as more people who rushed into things find themselves in over their heads and more trickle into the market but i doubt they will ever be cheap again.
i would absolutely have one, but i would only have it for the fun of it. i wouldnt want to use it all that much as the cost of repairs will only get higher, but having a functioning and solid one is definitely a sound investment. it would be long time before i would ever have one. besides, as you say, they are small and i personally find any swb models generally too small for anything i want a landy for. given that the 107 is even more unusual it is even more unlikely that i will have one. especially when there are other things i would actually use that i could spend the money on (mmmmm, forward control).

They cost a small fortune cos that's what you need to restore one, that and the rarity value. You only see them at classic shows nowadays, delivered and returned on a trailer. That's no way for a landy to live out its pension years.

Col

turning into investment vehicles and there's not much we can do about it. great for owners, not so great for buyers or enthusiasts who just want one just because its an old landrover

I already have the Landy I want, and it's something I can evolve into _exactly_ how I want it to be and how I want it to work for me. I can't afford to spend much, so make a few bits that I can, I use it to it's fullest and often break it, needing fettling before we go out again .. but wouldn't change it.

However, if I could afford it, and a decent, dry, secure garage with enough room, I'd have an S1 like a shot. I'd still occasionally go laning in it, but they'd be 'nice' lanes, ones we could picnic on instead of just quickly grabbing a sandwich. I'd drive it fairly regularly and use it for holidays or special occasions, but wouldn't keep it as an investment, I'd keep it as a good, regularly driven, example of a great little Landrover.

Mate of mine has one. He drives it around in the summer at the weekend in dry sunny weather with the hood off n windscreen down and TBH I'm jealous. They look good for that kind of puttering around. The prices are as posted reflecting the original provenance of real landys. I know at least two others being hoarded by non landy enthusiasts just cos of their perceived value. Frustrating but it's inevitable that an original model will command high value. Same probably applies to other classic cars.

If you can't stand / afford a series 1 a 2 or a 2a comes pretty close.

In my opinion a series 2/2a is the better buy - just as charming - less initial outlay (OK it wasn't the first but then an Austin Gypsy could fill that gap for less)

"i personally find any swb models generally too small for anything i want a landy for"
well, they are good at going round corners in one attempt, unlike the LWB!

RobertP said:

"i personally find any swb models generally too small for anything i want a landy for"
well, they are good at going round corners in one attempt, unlike the LWB!

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oh dont get me wrong, i certainly have no issue with any swb. if i was off roading for fun or access then a swb is an absolute no brainer. just personally i use my landy mostly for moving things around, camping and in the past for hauling loads of logs in and out of the woods. so for me load space is more valuable than turning circle. i would never turn my nose up at one, they just doesnt fit my general needs.

christofloffer said:

oh dont get me wrong, i certainly have no issue with any swb. if i was off roading for fun or access then a swb is an absolute no brainer. just personally i use my landy mostly for moving things around, camping and in the past for hauling loads of logs in and out of the woods. so for me load space is more valuable than turning circle. i would never turn my nose up at one, they just doesnt fit my general needs.

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have to agree, i've owned shorties since 2009 and they are the least practical "car" i have ever owned. load space is deceptively short, and unhelpfully high. i always said i would never have another swb and then promptly bought one anyway! i think the proportions of an 88 are more traditional and look more "land rover" from the classic car/enthusiast angle.

Colthebrummie said:

They cost a small fortune cos that's what you need to restore one, that and the rarity value. You only see them at classic shows nowadays, delivered and returned on a trailer. That's no way for a landy to live out its pension years.

Col

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Utter bollocks . There are plenty of Series Ones being regularly used as they were intended . My 107" trayback is regularly used for hauling stuff at home and work . That is what I built it for . Obviously , it is more useful than a short wheel base , which is why I am selling my 86".

I also take it on longer trips .

Round here you see no more Series 2A's and 3's than you see Series Ones .
And when I want to go and harass some Jerries in the desert , I convert it into a Long Range Desert Group gun ship !

Remora107 said:

Utter bollocks . There are plenty of Series Ones being regularly used as they were intended . My 107" trayback is regularly used for hauling stuff at home and work . That is what I built it for . Obviously , it is more useful than a short wheel base , which is why I am selling my 86".

I also take it on longer trips .

Round here you see no more Series 2A's and 3's than you see Series Ones .
And when I want to go and harass some Jerries in the desert , I convert it into a Long Range Desert Group gun ship !





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Just because you use yours for its intended purpose doesn't mean I am talking utter bollocks. I haven't seen a series 1 on the road for years and I get about. Therefore I conclude that it is you who is talking utter bollocks so stop it this instant you naughty person.

Nice truck by the way.

Col

owning and working a series 1 does afford a bit of confirmation bias

Colthebrummie said:

Just because you use yours for its intended purpose doesn't mean I am talking utter bollocks. I haven't seen a series 1 on the road for years and I get about. Therefore I conclude that it is you who is talking utter bollocks so stop it this instant you naughty person.

Nice truck by the way.

Col

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Alright then , I'll change what I said . You is talking mostly utter bollox. Because you haven't seen any Series Ones on the road doesn't mean they aren't there . Obviously there won't be that many being used everyday so seeing them regularly on the road ain't going to happen .
As for them only being trailered to shows is definitely wrong , because the over whelming majority are always driven to them . Only the prissy garage queens are trailered .

ciderman said:

Hi, on a desire to get the whole set I have been looking at the series one.
I have seen lots. can somebody tell me why they are commanding such ridiculous prices?
In terms of usefulness and robust construction they are not a patch on the series 2-3, are underpowered and for the 80 inch- just too bloody small!
I walked away from one deal- no doubt financially sound as my head and wife would say, But my heart says "but I don't want one" I only have 6 land rovers - do I really need a series one as an unloved investment?
Comments from the floor......

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They are a good vehicle for what they were intended for.
Farm work on a small farm, bit of laning, trips to the shops.
Canvas top is nice on a nice day LWB is more practical as a load carrier. TBH SWB 2a,3, or even a Ninety are not much better for loadspace.

Nice vehicle if you can find one for sensible money.

My neighbour was using one on the farm and for delivering Swedes and Spuds right up until 2002, now sold it to a friend who takes it rallying. No issues.

ciderman said:

Hi, on a desire to get the whole set I have been looking at the series one.
I have seen lots. can somebody tell me why they are commanding such ridiculous prices?
In terms of usefulness and robust construction they are not a patch on the series 2-3, are underpowered and for the 80 inch- just too bloody small!
I walked away from one deal- no doubt financially sound as my head and wife would say, But my heart says "but I don't want one" I only have 6 land rovers - do I really need a series one as an unloved investment?
Comments from the floor......

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Don't bother. Unless you particularly want one , and not just for completion of the set's reason . It is undoubtedly true that they can cost more to keep and maintain , purely because of the cost of spare parts and their availability , but they are no less practical than any of its successors .

Of course , if you want look cool and hip , then a Series One is the only way to go . Forget those 90" boingy tarts wagons , a tatty old 86" is what you want .

Hey, completing the set IS important. I have seen many S1s which are being priced 5-6 times what a S2-3 in the same condition would fetch.

Remora107 said:

Forget those 90" boingy tarts wagons

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Boingy tarts wagon! BOINGY feckin' TARTS WAGON???!!! I'll have you know my 90 is NOT boingy, and doesn't (so far) seem to attract tarts ...
I know it ain't boingy 'cos it ain't feckin' running (again) at the mo' (rear diff bearing and oil seal!)
I know it don't attract tarts 'cos it don't even attract normal womensfolk ....
And it ain't a wagon 'cos I ain't ever been shaggin' in it ..

Paul D said:

Boingy tarts wagon! BOINGY feckin' TARTS WAGON???!!! I'll have you know my 90 is NOT boingy, and doesn't (so far) seem to attract tarts ...
I know it ain't boingy 'cos it ain't feckin' running (again) at the mo' (rear diff bearing and oil seal!)
I know it don't attract tarts 'cos it don't even attract normal womensfolk ....
And it ain't a wagon 'cos I ain't ever been shaggin' in it ..

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Calm down , Dear , don't get your knickers in a twist , I didn't realise you such a Sensitive Susan . Maybe that is why you can't a bird , you're even more highly strung than they are !

Anyway , the tarts in question are the ones who drive them , not the one the drivers are after .