As many know the 84 model year 90's will be a go for import very soon. Just curious to see what some of you guys think about the market for these trucks. Whats your opinions?
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Importing a 90
- Thread starter BuyRovers
- Start date
BuyRovers said:
The market will be flooded with these driving the price down on the NAS 90's that are already here. I can't wait. Bring them in.
ptschram
Well-known member
I've discussed this topic with a friend of mine who has owned more Defenders than anyone I know. He claims that the NAS trucks are sufficiently unique that the market won't be affected too much. My opinion is not consistent with his!
If you can find one overseas that isn't rusted or beat to Hell, bring it over, the sooner, the better as the market may well be flooded. Hasn't Global Rovers commented that he has a bunch in storage until their birthday? I wonder if all of the really good ones haven't already been bought by folks planning to do just this? When I went to the UK in '04, the pickings were already getting pretty slim and all the left-hookers had already been picked over pretty good. I spent almost two weeks looking for a suitable 109 to import.
Also, in conversations with folks who've brought trucks over recently, I understand the inspections, etc are much more extensive than they were when I brought mine over.
If you can find one overseas that isn't rusted or beat to Hell, bring it over, the sooner, the better as the market may well be flooded. Hasn't Global Rovers commented that he has a bunch in storage until their birthday? I wonder if all of the really good ones haven't already been bought by folks planning to do just this? When I went to the UK in '04, the pickings were already getting pretty slim and all the left-hookers had already been picked over pretty good. I spent almost two weeks looking for a suitable 109 to import.
Also, in conversations with folks who've brought trucks over recently, I understand the inspections, etc are much more extensive than they were when I brought mine over.
I think NAS trucks are going to hold their value for a couple more years, but by the time the import's start equaling the same year as the NAS trucks, the value will probably go down as you'll have a wider selection of trims and engines.
ptschram said:
I tend to agree with you. Although the NAS trucks are unique, as the 90's become legit for import I think it will have an effect. I have been actively searching for a while for some 90's and it has been tough to locate nice ones. I recently sold my 97 ST and have an 84 on the way in that has already had a 200tdi put in. It is RHD, but is a solid truck and I am excited to start the upgrades. It will be interesting to watch these importers start bringing them in and see what effect it will have on the NAS market...
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I predict no effect except that you'll stop seeing NAS vehicles change hands so quickly. Because the people that just want one to have one will be purchasing a cheaper one that has a slightly different allure to it.
ptschram
Well-known member
climbskiroverguy said:
How long is a string?
It depends!
You're looking at about $2500 shipping, $300 customs fees, whatever it costs to have it shipped from the port to your home, local registration and taxes. The vehicle itself-price here is gonna vary widely from a pristine truck with few miles to one with a rusted out frame, etc.
what about someone wanting to build a 100" hybrid on an unrusted southern US junkyard disco frame? Could we buy a vehicle over there, chop up the bulkhead and sides, ship it over here UPS, transfer title, and reassemble the way we see fit and be legal?
one could make an analogy with 110s.
have the 110s that recently been imported and sold negatively impacted the NAS 110s?
it hasn't appeared to at least the ones I've seen for sale.
there always will be a buyer who wants the US version of either one and will pay more for it.
just like there will be folks who like 90s or for that matter 110s and will be satisfied with a non-NAS version.
and as PT mentioned, how many "good" ones are there in GB.
personally I would go to a Country with a better climate like Brasil if I were going to import one.
Jaime
have the 110s that recently been imported and sold negatively impacted the NAS 110s?
it hasn't appeared to at least the ones I've seen for sale.
there always will be a buyer who wants the US version of either one and will pay more for it.
just like there will be folks who like 90s or for that matter 110s and will be satisfied with a non-NAS version.
and as PT mentioned, how many "good" ones are there in GB.
personally I would go to a Country with a better climate like Brasil if I were going to import one.
Jaime
ptschram
Well-known member
robertf said:
First off,I think the whole fear of rusty Disco frames is overblown. I have a rolling chassis in the shop right now where the body of the truck that was on it was completely rusted away, yet the frame is in fantastic condition with very little heavy rust.
What you have described is not uncommon, either with Series parts or Defender parts. It would probably be much less expensive to use a Series bulkhead and tub with a Defender breakfast. I think Gordo is the one who's building one now.
ptschram
Well-known member
OK, I understand. There have been some recent discussions where folks were bashing RRC frames as being rusted pieces of junk yet the one I have in the shop is in pretty damned good condition, maybe better than under my Disco.
Admittedly, there is also one outside where the frame is in sad shape, but there are as many good ones as rusty ones here.
Body panels wouldn't be a problem and you might even find everything you needed on this side of the Atlantic, saving on horrendous trans-oceanic shipping of big bulky things like body panels. Buy a worn out Series with a good bulkhead (or buy a new bulkhead) and bolt the body panels to the RRC frame.
I have always thought it would be cool to have a Defender/Series body on a Disco frame and stamp the Disco VIN on a blank Series VIN plate!
Admittedly, there is also one outside where the frame is in sad shape, but there are as many good ones as rusty ones here.
Body panels wouldn't be a problem and you might even find everything you needed on this side of the Atlantic, saving on horrendous trans-oceanic shipping of big bulky things like body panels. Buy a worn out Series with a good bulkhead (or buy a new bulkhead) and bolt the body panels to the RRC frame.
I have always thought it would be cool to have a Defender/Series body on a Disco frame and stamp the Disco VIN on a blank Series VIN plate!
I'm not so sure it would be easy to get the vin done on a bunch of parts. It would be much easier to have it titled as a "hobbiest" vehicle. There was a guy I met a few years ago that had a Lotus Exage shipped to the US in pieces. He then reassembled and had it titled as a hobbiest vehicle.
The actual key to using a DI frame and motor is this requirement: Vehicle must no longer be recognizable as the original vehicle.. I think the arguement wouldn't do too hard that the Defender/Series is not comparable to the Discovery.
I think the key to something like that is being friendly with the inspector. In Wisconsin, there are specific requirements to be street legal. But all it requires is a signature of inspection from a State Patrol officer. If you know the right people, it's not too hard {wink, wink}.
The actual key to using a DI frame and motor is this requirement: Vehicle must no longer be recognizable as the original vehicle.. I think the arguement wouldn't do too hard that the Defender/Series is not comparable to the Discovery.
I think the key to something like that is being friendly with the inspector. In Wisconsin, there are specific requirements to be street legal. But all it requires is a signature of inspection from a State Patrol officer. If you know the right people, it's not too hard {wink, wink}.
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personally I like having a Series body on a 110 frame/driveline and stamping the serial number on a blank Series plate!
lol!!
Jaime
ptschram
Well-known member
BuyRovers said:
Unless you can price a frame for less than a complete running Disco would cost, it ain't likely to happen. I have less than $1800 in two Discos and the RRC, and got three engines, transmissions, transfer cases, etc. Sounds like it is far more economical to deal with welding some outriger to a Disco or RRC frame than buying a new Defender frame.
Disco frame crap? I didn't call your frame crap (assuming you were discussing a frame and not an entire truck-in which case, my comment is even more applicable).
In some states, the VIN stays with the frame, the bulkhead, or the vehicle from which the majority of parts came from. In Indiana, I would have no problem stamping a VIN onto a Series VIN plate, providing I had the title that went to that VIN-this is why I have an envelope full of titles... (well, it's also why I have a barn full of Land Rovers in various states of disassembly!)
Not calling your or anyone elses disco frame or truck crap. As a matter of fact I own 2 disco's now and have had a whole fleet in years past. My point was instead of trying to import some panels and find a disco frame to put it on it would seem to make more sense (and be cheaper) to just buy a 90 complete from the other side of the pond that is solid and in good shape. But maybe I am missing some key point here...
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ptschram
Well-known member
OK, comments retracted!
I don't know, I have a pile of engines and body panels. To me, given the period of time I've had these piles of parts the price of those parts becomes nearly zero, time is the precious commodity.
I suppose if I wanted a driver today, I'd buy one, but I have a number of projects that may end up never getting finished, or may take forever to put together with cheap parts.
I don't know, I have a pile of engines and body panels. To me, given the period of time I've had these piles of parts the price of those parts becomes nearly zero, time is the precious commodity.
I suppose if I wanted a driver today, I'd buy one, but I have a number of projects that may end up never getting finished, or may take forever to put together with cheap parts.