classic manual gears or auto ?

philip pickard · Oct 8, 2016

well just bought a new project 87 classic it is a manual but im thinking of changing it over to auto. the thing is will it loose money years later if i change it over. plus its on springs but it was on air bags should i change it back to air to keep it original ? would it be worth more later as manual.? thanks for replies

discool · Oct 8, 2016

A 1987 RR has depreciated to it's lowest level and so could be an appreciating asset now, autos were more popular than manuals when new just like most luxury vehicles.
When new a 1987 model didn't come with air springs, that came in the later LWB model, just like Land Rover's discription "classic" with a rear badge to match.

philip pickard · Oct 8, 2016

sorry my mistake it is another classic i had looked at with the air bags changed sorry. the one i am picking up in the morning has always had springs no air. one thing its has got wrong is the second gear dosent like going in if you are going over 20. which isnt anything yet is this the sincro maybe. im chomping at the bit to get my hands on this baby after all these years. i did wonder if there was many manual ones about though.

Gmacz · Oct 8, 2016

I like a manual box so am only interested in manuals, no interest in any autos.
You should fit whatever you prefer, there are plenty manual classics out there and also loads of replacement gearboxes of both kinds.
Forget about selling price or value, you have just purchased it, enjoy it and modify it to your tastes.
Good luck with the RRC.

300bhp/ton · Oct 8, 2016

Is it diesel or petrol?

Most V8's are auto of this era. Manual's rare, but faster, more fun and better mpg. If it's diesel (2.4 TD VM), then there wasn't an auto version.

cooltide · Oct 8, 2016

As above manual v8 is more of a rarity, keep it original

philip pickard · Oct 8, 2016

yes petrol i wanted to change the colour to range rover classic green but should i keep it Caspian blue

Seffy · Oct 8, 2016

The big question is why do anything. You can do things to please you, or you can not do things to leave it as a potential all-original investment. Happy now, or (maybe) cash later?

Given the state of the market I think you are unlikely to cause a drop in value (doing the conversion and any other work will lose you money short term), long term it may not appreciate quite as much as an all-original vehicle.

pete1987RRC · Oct 9, 2016

No air suspension on an 87, get a good set of springs for her.
There were a lot of autos built and if your planning lots of towing its worthwhile but as the 5 speed waggle sticks are quite rare it will grow in price a little better.
Price wise they have been on the up for a few years but they have to be good

waldamar · Oct 9, 2016

original is the main thing with any classic long term investment - so if that's important to you [and it ought to be] then keep it EXACTLY as it left the factory.
Any conversion that you may find suits you now almost certainly will de-value it in the long run - so choice is yours....................
There are those on here who are 100|% certain that they will never want/need to sell so they're happy to convert as they wish - those wiser keep stuff original with an eye on future values.
Bottom line is any RRC is an investment, and history shows that any classic car is worth more if it's original - future buyers want the original factory spec car - not your interpretation of it...................... keep it original, spend the money on restoration [ps. this advice will cost you 10|%!]

Expletive · Oct 10, 2016

Personally I prefer manual, but mine is auto and I want to keep it as original as I can (apart from the lpg). But I have a less complete one which I eventually plan to convert to a manual (and diesel).

As someone else said a manual V8 from that period is rare so it could be worth keeping it manual but ultimately it's whichever you prefer.

Also, how much of a project is it, is it in decent condition or does it need heavy work? And be sure to show us pics.

philip pickard · Oct 10, 2016

well picked it up on the 9th oct and it still on the truck it needs a new cross member on the back under the tailgate. new skin for the tailgate. the sensor has been snaped off on the brake master cylinder,needs a water pump engine is very nice. most panels need rubbing down so it will have a full respray i need a set of wheels as the ones on her are !well ive not seen these type before pictures to follow tonight. inner front wings will need replaceing at some point its had all new brakes pads discs calippers pipes replaced chassis is top class from what ive looked at but as you all know till its on the ramp you cant be 100% on that. to me thats the important bit of the car. the rest i cant take off and put new on so i dont mind that ive bought it to restore. and drive around for a few years pleasure. its nice to think i would get more for her than i put in but the man hours i put in out ways that so ill probly keep her till i get put in a care home and then my kids can fight over it. thanks for the replies i will keep it as manual and she will look like she came off the factory line next year but not quite as good with her being an 87 the steel under her will show her age but shot blastered .i have a garage workshop so it can get done properly.

Disco1BFG · Oct 10, 2016

philip pickard said:
well picked it up on the 9th oct and it still on the truck it needs a new cross member on the back under the tailgate. new skin for the tailgate. the sensor has been snaped off on the brake master cylinder,needs a water pump engine is very nice. most panels need rubbing down so it will have a full respray i need a set of wheels as the ones on her are !well ive not seen these type before pictures to follow tonight. inner front wings will need replaceing at some point its had all new brakes pads discs calippers pipes replaced chassis is top class from what ive looked at but as you all know till its on the ramp you cant be 100% on that. to me thats the important bit of the car. the rest i cant take off and put new on so i dont mind that ive bought it to restore. and drive around for a few years pleasure. its nice to think i would get more for her than i put in but the man hours i put in out ways that so ill probly keep her till i get put in a care home and then my kids can fight over it. thanks for the replies i will keep it as manual and she will look like she came off the factory line next year but not quite as good with her being an 87 the steel under her will show her age but shot blastered .i have a garage workshop so it can get done properly.

You excited by any chance ?!?!??!?

300bhp/ton · Oct 10, 2016

philip pickard said:
well picked it up on the 9th oct and it still on the truck it needs a new cross member on the back under the tailgate. new skin for the tailgate. the sensor has been snaped off on the brake master cylinder,needs a water pump engine is very nice. most panels need rubbing down so it will have a full respray i need a set of wheels as the ones on her are !well ive not seen these type before pictures to follow tonight. inner front wings will need replaceing at some point its had all new brakes pads discs calippers pipes replaced chassis is top class from what ive looked at but as you all know till its on the ramp you cant be 100% on that. to me thats the important bit of the car. the rest i cant take off and put new on so i dont mind that ive bought it to restore. and drive around for a few years pleasure. its nice to think i would get more for her than i put in but the man hours i put in out ways that so ill probly keep her till i get put in a care home and then my kids can fight over it. thanks for the replies i will keep it as manual and she will look like she came off the factory line next year but not quite as good with her being an 87 the steel under her will show her age but shot blastered .i have a garage workshop so it can get done properly.

I wouldn't bank on a big payout on it. Let's face it, 1987 isn't so long ago and few other cars of that era are really considered 'classics' yet.

1970's 3 door Range Rover's are the ones on the up at the mo. But I suspect that is a bubble that'll burst at some point. And is largely due to the current fascination with SUV's in general. That and the fact Range Rover's were built in pretty good numbers, so not exactly uber rare.

philip pickard · Oct 10, 2016

just a couple and the wheel picture any one seen these before and are they for land rover. i will most likely keep this one for 11 years

Gmacz · Oct 10, 2016

Google number on wheels will give you all the info needed.
RRC did not fail mot on very much, are you going to repair it to pass mot and use it or is it a complete strip down.
Mileage will not be a problem, mine is about the same.

philip pickard · Oct 10, 2016

im going to strip it to the bones and rebuild it to as good as i can get to to be cause all the parts are cheap enough really with looking around the country. the bonnet looks to thick is it possible that a later bonnet has been put on this 87. im now looking for a different one. i did see the back axle hubs were leaking a bit are these paper gaskets does any one know or do i have to buy ones from a shop. need front inner wings really cause someone has fiber-glassed the front inside of them and its got to come off. so i will most likely needing new ones.

Expletive · Oct 10, 2016

Not a type of wheel I've seen before. And I'm going to go ahead and say that the exhaust is also a bit non-standard.

Similar blue to mine. Got to love the classic.

philip pickard · Oct 10, 2016

exaust has to be changed the young lad who i bought the car from did that and it sounds like a corvette and as you say not standed

pete1987RRC · Oct 10, 2016

Interesting project.
Me thanks they are special edition wheels off on of the tarted up Chelsea tractor types, please post some picks of the dash.
Your bumpers are wrong for an 87.

Have fun

classic manual gears or auto ?

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