Series 1 Checking originality of Series 1s

AlbertDefender90 · Jul 26, 2016

Hi all,

I've never had anything to do with series 1s but a possible opportunity has arised to purchase a pair which have been sat in a shed for the past 30 years. I don't know much about them at the minute except that they are both short wheelbase and one is a pickup/ragtop and the other is a hardtop. what I want to know is are there any easy ways to check wether things like engines etc are original to that vehicle as this will have an effect on bartering prices?

Thanks

Albert

SpringDon · Jul 26, 2016

Numbers may may on the v5 otherwise a certificate from gaydon will have them on. Wheels are dated. They are worth a lot more if everything's original.

AlbertDefender90 · Jul 26, 2016

Ok thanks, not sure if the v5s are present but I will find out. Found a useful website showing chassis and engine numbers so at least I'll be able to check that they're age related and not out of a later vehicle.

I will keep you updated as I go along

Thanks

Albert

Remora107 · Jul 27, 2016

First you need to find out which models they are , 80" , 86" or 88" . Ironically , the shorter they are the more valuable they are . The easiest way to see which they is to count the number of rope tie down hooks there are on each side of the rear body . If there are two then it is an 80" , and if there are three the it will be either an 86" or an 88" .

What are your plans for them if you manage to buy them ? Keep them to restore or sell them on , hopefully to make a bit of a profit ? If you intend keeping one or both then the first thing I would do is to join http://www.lrsoc.com/forum/index.php , as there is a wealth of knowledge to be had there .

Personally I wouldn't be overly worried about having matching chassis and engine numbers , but would be more concerned that the chassis's and bulkheads were in reasonable condition . If they weren't then that would a bigger bargaining point . If the chassis's were beyond repair then that would bring the price right down as new replacement ones are virtually unobtainable at the moment . Bulkheads are available from a number of sources and expect to pay £1600+ for a new one .

Does the seller know what they are worth ?

Good luck with your venture .

AlbertDefender90 · Jul 27, 2016

Remora107 said:
First you need to find out which models they are , 80" , 86" or 88" . Ironically , the shorter they are the more valuable they are . The easiest way to see which they is to count the number of rope tie down hooks there are on each side of the rear body . If there are two then it is an 80" , and if there are three the it will be either an 86" or an 88" .

What are your plans for them if you manage to buy them ? Keep them to restore or sell them on , hopefully to make a bit of a profit ? If you intend keeping one or both then the first thing I would do is to join http://www.lrsoc.com/forum/index.php , as there is a wealth of knowledge to be had there .

Personally I wouldn't be overly worried about having matching chassis and engine numbers , but would be more concerned that the chassis's and bulkheads were in reasonable condition . If they weren't then that would a bigger bargaining point . If the chassis's were beyond repair then that would bring the price right down as new replacement ones are virtually unobtainable at the moment . Bulkheads are available from a number of sources and expect to pay £1600+ for a new one .

Does the seller know what they are worth ?

Good luck with your venture .

Thanks for the pointers on the size, that'll give me a good indication from a glance. I'll definately be keeping the older of the two and may sell the other to a friend at cost price. Depending on condition id like to rebuild everything as far as reasonably possible underneath then just give the body a good clean to leave the original patina if it's not too bad unless it's a very early one then I'll consider a full restoration.

I found the series one club yesterday and I will certainly sign up and get the pair registered.

Being ex farm I don't have much idea what state they'll be in underneath but I'm hoping they'll be somewhat retrievable. I do know that one was dead when it was rolled in so I'm not sure what that means for it yet also I've had more confirmation on the amount of time they've been sat there. My dad doesn't remember him having two and the one he does remember he hasn't seen for over 40 years. What he does know is that it was a hard top and it was ancient when he was little so it sounds like an early 50s possibly late 40s 80".

As I said I will let you know as I learn more and I will certainly get some piccies up if I'm able to go and look at them.

Thanks

Albert

Rubins4 · Jul 27, 2016

If the steering wheel is in the middle, I'd pay a small premium.

AlbertDefender90 · Jul 30, 2016

Just been to look, ones a late series one and the other is a series 2.

Does anyone have any idea where I can get registration records so i can get original details? The reg of the s1 is ecw 569

AlbertDefender90 · Jul 30, 2016

A couple of pics:

honolulujoe · Jul 31, 2016

stick some wiper motors on the s1 and you should be good to go

restoring those should keep you occupied for a while

AlbertDefender90 · Jul 31, 2016

To be honest looking at the s2 all it needs is a chassis and bulkhead and the rest is good to go. Can't say the same for the s1 unfortunately

honolulujoe · Jul 31, 2016

tbh I would just go for the 2 as you can still get a new galv'ed chassis and bulkhead - or maybe pick up a better condition used bulkhead - as remora107 says new s1 chassis aren't readily available now. there was a chap doing flatpack s1 chassis on ebay but they weren't cheap and if you can't weld, paying someone else to weld it up would probably be expensive.

if you can weld and fabricate doing the s1 would probably be great fun

AlbertDefender90 · Jul 31, 2016

Well as it stands he's not in a position to sell them at the moment but that might change over the next few months. I can weld so neither would be a big issue. Just hoping that they become available. Best get my 90 finished in the mean time

Series 1 Checking originality of Series 1s

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