My first one was bought purely to pull a heavy trailer and for 7 seats as we thought we'd be running a B&B and doing wine tours. Neither of those happened but the trailer sure did! so owned our first D1 since about 2003.
Loved it so much and it was SOOOOO reliable have bought two more. (The TD5 purely for medical reasons as I couldn't drive for a while so Wifey had to and she can only drive an auto. ) They cost peanuts back then. My D1 V8 with full lpg kit only cost £1250. I have a BMW key ring worth that! (That I acquired accidentally when buying an old beemer). the TD5 cost less than £3k.
I think by hanging onto them they will eventually turn a profit as the prices seem to be rising, finally!
It is true the ride in more modern ones is better and with a dodgy back like yours i am sure that is a good thing.

