Disco 1 V8, 64k value

Darren369 · Mar 8, 2020

Hi guys, looking for a bit of advise..... I’ve recently bought a 1998 V8i disco 1 with 64k on it, it was imported from Japan in 2011 by a policeman friend of my dad for his dad who used it to tow his vintage tractor. My intention was to put some big wheels and tyres, flexi arches etc on it and using it as a shooting vehicle.
Now my problem is, after having a good look at it and driving it 60 miles home I’m worried its to nice to start hacking at putting on arches etc I’ve owned a few disco 2’s and know a bit about them but don’t know a lot about disco 1’s so was hoping someone could tell me if it’s worth selling this on to someone who would appreciate what it is more than I do or if there’s not a lot of value in it and just go ahead with my original plan and be thankful I got a good base to start on?? I’ll give a brief description below and hopefully someone can give me some advice.

1998, imported in 2011 (the guy who imported it and the only owner since it was imported was a traffic cop so it was all done right with new rear lights, new properly adjusted mph clocks etc) 64k miles, auto, diff lock, electric windows all round, electric mirrors, cruise control, has lpg conversion done when imported, everything is completely standard down to the tape deck and steel wheels as far as I can tell and everything seems to work perfectly. It drives faultlessly....... no knocks bangs or rattles, dives straight and brakes straight, gearbox is smooth as anything and it runs like a dream. Body work and underneath are the best I’ve seen on any disco, no bumps or scrapes and completely solid all over, only bits of rust I can see is some light rust at the bottom of the a and b pillars inside the door and light surface rust in the front inner arches. Couple of the window seals are a bit perished, it could do with a polish and interior shampooing. Wheels need redoing but I’d change those anyway if keeping it.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Darren

Darren369 · Mar 8, 2020

Darren369 · Mar 8, 2020

Darren369 · Mar 8, 2020

Darren369 · Mar 8, 2020

These are the only photos I have right now as im at work but can get more later if needed

resto_d1 · Mar 8, 2020

I agree don’t hack it up. I’ll give you a grand tomorrow

resto_d1 · Mar 8, 2020

And advice wise. Do not hack it up!! There’s plenty around like mine from the lift and snorkel brigade that you could use. If you hack this up, Jesus will cry and so will I.

discool · Mar 8, 2020

Always beware of vehicles when their speedo digits don’t line up, it could look like a 100k miles or more have been removed in from the display.

FlyingPete · Mar 8, 2020

discool said:
Always beware of vehicles when their speedo digits don’t line up, it could look like a 100k miles or more have been removed in from the display.

Looks like it's using the original speedo, geared down so that 1km/h becomes 1mph. In which case, the accumulated km should have been corrected to the equivalent number of miles at the same time. Otherwise, the mileage will have accumulated some distance at 1/km in Japan, then started counting up at 1/mile once imported.

Turboman · Mar 8, 2020

Darren369 said:
Hi guys, looking for a bit of advise..... I’ve recently bought a 1998 V8i disco 1 with 64k on it, it was imported from Japan in 2011 by a policeman friend of my dad for his dad who used it to tow his vintage tractor. My intention was to put some big wheels and tyres, flexi arches etc on it and using it as a shooting vehicle.
Now my problem is, after having a good look at it and driving it 60 miles home I’m worried its to nice to start hacking at putting on arches etc I’ve owned a few disco 2’s and know a bit about them but don’t know a lot about disco 1’s so was hoping someone could tell me if it’s worth selling this on to someone who would appreciate what it is more than I do or if there’s not a lot of value in it and just go ahead with my original plan and be thankful I got a good base to start on?? I’ll give a brief description below and hopefully someone can give me some advice.

1998, imported in 2011 (the guy who imported it and the only owner since it was imported was a traffic cop so it was all done right with new rear lights, new properly adjusted mph clocks etc) 64k miles, auto, diff lock, electric windows all round, electric mirrors, cruise control, has lpg conversion done when imported, everything is completely standard down to the tape deck and steel wheels as far as I can tell and everything seems to work perfectly. It drives faultlessly....... no knocks bangs or rattles, dives straight and brakes straight, gearbox is smooth as anything and it runs like a dream. Body work and underneath are the best I’ve seen on any disco, no bumps or scrapes and completely solid all over, only bits of rust I can see is some light rust at the bottom of the a and b pillars inside the door and light surface rust in the front inner arches. Couple of the window seals are a bit perished, it could do with a polish and interior shampooing. Wheels need redoing but I’d change those anyway if keeping it.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Darren

Shame to hack up such a tidy example.
Auto V8 is an excellent tow vehicle.
I would think someone would snap that up for towing a trailer or caravan.
Maybe 1500 quid if you put a years ticket on it.

discool · Mar 8, 2020

FlyingPete said:
Looks like it's using the original speedo, geared down so that 1km/h becomes 1mph. In which case, the accumulated km should have been corrected to the equivalent number of miles at the same time. Otherwise, the mileage will have accumulated some distance at 1/km in Japan, then started counting up at 1/mile once imported.

So what an I missing it looks like a normal speedo to me

Although, not as you know it, as a UK spec speedo its highest MPH reading as 130 plus the small inner KPH numerals markers being just above 200.
As the D1 speedo is driven electronically any perceived alteration would require interference within the speedo head.

discool · Mar 8, 2020

Turboman said:
Shame to hack up such a tidy example.
Auto V8 is an excellent tow vehicle.
I would think someone would snap that up for towing a trailer or caravan.
Maybe 1500 quid if you put a years ticket on it.

In that case I’ve just added £1500 to my D1s value

nope I’ve change my mind it’s £3000 on top.

Darren369 · Mar 8, 2020

Cheers for the advise so far guys, I believe the mileage to be 100% accurate in miles, mot history backs it up and the guy who I got it of who had it converted is a cop and very to the book if u know what I mean. He said when they imported it the kilometres were converted into miles and the speedo corrected with the appropriate miles adjusted, could the misalignment be from when the mileage was adjusted on the speedo?

Darren369 · Mar 8, 2020

Oh it’s mot’d until mid December as well

discool · Mar 8, 2020

Darren369 said:
Cheers for the advise so far guys, I believe the mileage to be 100% accurate in miles, mot history backs it up and the guy who I got it of who had it converted is a cop and very to the book if u know what I mean. He said when they imported it the kilometres were converted into miles and the correct speedo with the appropriate miles fitted, could the misalignment be from when the mileage was adjusted on the speedo?

Ok I believe you, that clears that up then

kevstar · Mar 8, 2020

MMMMmm V8 I don't have one of them. Im viewing another v8 project on Tuesday might change my mind if this is
as nice as you make out. More pics required.

lynall · Mar 8, 2020

Get the grinder out.

If you cut it up, in 10/15 yrs time you could kick yourself when you see one sell for a fortune!
But old discos never seem to be worth big money, they are after all not that special in most peoples eyes? add in it is an import.

I like that colour, very understated.

Stanleysteamer · Mar 8, 2020

discool said:
Always beware of vehicles when their speedo digits don’t line up, it could look like a 100k miles or more have been removed in from the display.

Normally I would say this is true, ut if the guy who owned it was a cop? Past MOT mileages? On gov.uk.
I also have a D1 V8 lpg conversion and would love to be able to drive it, but the lpg conversion was never regictered and I won't fidle my insurance. so if yours has got proper registration I'd say you have goe a gem there. Although the wheels look as rough as a camel's asre.
My personal prejudice in favour of manual cars prevents me from offering you cash for it but it is still a nice vehicle.

Stanleysteamer · Mar 8, 2020

kevstar said:
MMMMmm V8 I don't have one of them. Im viewing another v8 project on Tuesday might change my mind if this is
as nice as you make out. More pics required.

(knew you couldn't resist!

)

Stanleysteamer · Mar 8, 2020

Stanleysteamer said:
Normally I would say this is true, but if the guy who owned it was a cop? Past MOT mileages? On gov.uk.
I also have a D1 V8 lpg conversion and would love to be able to drive it, but the lpg conversion was never registered and I won't fiddle my insurance. So if yours has got proper registration I'd say you have goe a gem there. Even without that it is still lovely. Although the wheels look as rough as a camel's asre.
My personal prejudice in favour of manual cars prevents me from offering you cash for it but it is still a nice vehicle.

Disco 1 V8, 64k value

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