Is there a market for Discovery salvage?

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Author Message   Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Posted on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 08:10 pm:    I realized recently that there seems to be very few companies that specialize in the salvage of Discovery's. I have found a few english vehicle salvage yards that tend to carry Jaguar, MG, & Land Rover but most of them are in the UK. Motorcars LTD is the largest place of Land Rover OEM parts I have found on the internet but I don't know how much salvage they deal with and how the prices of their new OEM parts compare to the dealers. There may be more out there than I know off but I have not seen many advertised and very few, if any, on Discoweb. There is a list of over 450 items here wanted in the classifieds with almost 1400 items for sale. I have watched used items for Discovery's go for ridiculous amounts on eBay: wheels, rack crossbars, cargo cover's, OE seat covers, etc.. I am just curious about how big of a market I may be looking at. I have access to warehouse space, a salvage license, and I know a few insurance claims adjusters and many other people that may be able to get wrecked and stolen recovery Discovery's. I am not really interested in dealing with Range Rovers (nothing against them) or the new Discovery's (IIa?). I would like to specialize in Disco 1 '94-99 1/2 only but I am sure there will be a need for Disco II parts soon. I think the Discovery will be around for quite a while and may be like the Series I, II, & III's 25 years from now? It seems like everyone is needing or wanting something for their Disco whether it be a small part like a headlight washer jet or large like a transmission. Aftermarket hoods for the Discovery go new for about $750 unpainted...being aluminum, along with the rest of the body, they tend to be susceptible to damage. I think under $500 would be a reasonable price for a factory painted, undamaged, OEM hood. Another example would be to sell a set of the steel spare wheels with a decent winter or mud tire for people to have as an extra set. Have I gone completely nuts or may there actually be a market in this? I have good mechanical knowledge of all vehicles and know some people that do the same with Porsches/Audi and another with the '90+ Nissan 300zx's only. They both offer a service that very few others can come close to and seem to be doing well with it. I know this post was really long but I just want some comments on it. Thanks, Jason T. Barker speedminded.com   John Moore (Jmoore) Posted on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 08:14 pm:    Sounds great, I wouldn't leave out RR Classics. Rover Cannibal does the same http://www.carcannibal.us/roverparts/default.asp -John   todd slater (Toddslater) Posted on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 09:04 pm:    I agree no need to be so selective...and lets not forget http://www.octagonauto.com/default.htm out here in PA.   Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 08:48 am:    Apparently there are more places than I thought... I just don't see alot of advertisement of them. Does anyone know of any similiar places in the southeast?   Jess Alvarez (Jester) Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 12:18 pm:    How about the southwest?   Squadracorse Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 12:19 pm:    Hello Jason, I do agree with your post message and I hope you will also include international shipping! Here in Holland we have even less suppliers for Discovery but looking on the road, there are more every day! You can be selective, the need for Discovery is great and RR classics suppliers you can almost find them on every corner of the street, so getting these customers satisfied with great opportunities will be very difficult. (even in Holland :-) ) Squadracorse   Alex Cabrera (Alexcabrera) Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 08:03 pm:    The one farthest south would be http://www.roversland.com/ and don't forget the http://www.roverlandparts.com/ also in FL. I have used both for major parts .. ie differential, catalytic converters, and driveshafts. Used with low miles. There is another one here in Georgia but they charge ridiculous price$$. Wanted 1k for a used diff. HA.   Will Roeder (Will_Roeder) Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 08:14 pm:    What about English Swedish? they are in GA, and i get a lot of stuff from them pretty cheaply. ill get you guys their contact info once i can dig up their card.   Alex Cabrera (Alexcabrera) Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 11:13 pm:    Will, I'm sure it wasn't them. The guys I'm referring to...I talked them down to 800 for a used differential until I began searching all over the web. They are a dime a dozen at the above mentioned web site. Please post English Swedish info. I'm always looking for good parts close by.   Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Posted on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 11:56 pm:    English-Swedish Spares is in Alpharetta (I think closer to Cumming).... http://www.english-swedish.com/visit_us.htm I remember calling them about a year ago about some Discovery seats...I wanted to put a set of the early model 94/95 seats (I think they are thinner than the later models?) in an MG midget and use the "hand holds" as a place to run the 5 point harness through above the shoulders. Just a stupid idea I had one day that I never got to follow through with.   Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Posted on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 12:30 am:    Alex, Thanks for the Roverlandparts link, that is exactly what I am wanting to do. They only have 162 parts listed for the disco though (I guess just the main items and the rest you can call about?) Also, I have not found a LR/Discovery salvage/parts place that has setup their website correctly to enable search engines to crawl them. Thats why I can't find them on the internet. This is all to my advantage though I would reply to all the discoweb classified want ads. Even if its just a $2 part...at least that is one more customer that can advertise for you and possibly want more items later.   Alex Cabrera (Alexcabrera) Posted on Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 10:52 am:    Jason, More power to you! I'm always searching and scavenging in the darkest corners of the internet for a good deal. :lol I also had a helluva time when I needed parts. Being a CB that I am I held off till I was sure I had searched all over. You are correct in that their site aren't setup correctly. As you are also in Georgia I would love to see more salvage stuff. I even scavenge at a local Pull-A-Parts for stuff for the VW. They are pretty good. I'm sure you would get support from locals. Just might have to advertise heavily or put signs up. Please advise when it is setup. Thanks, Alex