Hi everyone,

I'm considering bidding on a 1971 Land Rover 88 Series IIA Project that's been sitting on a farm for two decades. It has a starting engine but needs refurbishments like hydraulics, fuel tank cleaning, and a new radiator. The current bid is $4,700 USD, and I'm wondering what you think might be a reasonable price given the condition and the work needed. Ideally, I would like to invest a little bit to get it road-ready (unfortunately, I'm not knowledgeable enough to do it myself) as a weekender and perhaps fully restore it down the road. Any feedback or advice from those with experience on similar projects would be greatly appreciated. Getting an old LR has always been the dream!

BaT Vehicle Listing

As this is a mostly UK forum can not give you a value but forum does have members from the America's that may help. You do not say roughly where you are which can help.
The Land Rover 2a is probably on of the simplest basic 4x4's ever made much like the original WW2 Jeep from which it descend's.
Most important is condition of chassis and bulkhead, just about any thing else is a nut and bolt/rivet job.
Land rovers north in Vermont are a main supplier of spares for older models in the US.

Have you seen it in the flesh, any pics, there’s lots bits to check and consider to decide whether you want to take it on, if you did meccano as a kid you’ll be fine

miramar said:

Hi everyone,

I'm considering bidding on a 1971 Land Rover 88 Series IIA Project that's been sitting on a farm for two decades. It has a starting engine but needs refurbishments like hydraulics, fuel tank cleaning, and a new radiator. The current bid is $4,700 USD, and I'm wondering what you think might be a reasonable price given the condition and the work needed. Ideally, I would like to invest a little bit to get it road-ready (unfortunately, I'm not knowledgeable enough to do it myself) as a weekender and perhaps fully restore it down the road. Any feedback or advice from those with experience on similar projects would be greatly appreciated. Getting an old LR has always been the dream!

BaT Vehicle Listing

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Do you have deep pockets and patience, because sourcing parts for old Land Rovers here is not always easy and rarely is it cheap, even if you turn the wrenches yourself.

And do you like to drive slowly?

Western Slope Rover said:

Do you have deep pockets and patience, because sourcing parts for old Land Rovers here is not always easy and rarely is it cheap, even if you turn the wrenches yourself.

And do you like to drive slowly?

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Surely with the internet parts finding is easy. Even if you buy from the U.K. as pretty much every part is available. I agree it could be pricey. However, I do it the other way owning a Camaro here in the U.K.

That said, they are simple vehicles. You may not need every part. And if you aren’t trying to return to original showroom condition. You may well find suitable alternative parts locally or people able to repair/refurb. The Series is a rather basic vehicle with very few features and options. There isn’t even much of an interior.

300bhp/ton said:

Surely with the internet parts finding is easy. Even if you buy from the U.K. as pretty much every part is available. I agree it could be pricey. However, I do it the other way owning a Camaro here in the U.K.

That said, they are simple vehicles. You may not need every part. And if you aren’t trying to return to original showroom condition. You may well find suitable alternative parts locally or people able to repair/refurb. The Series is a rather basic vehicle with very few features and options. There isn’t even much of an interior.

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I know folks who have done it here and it precipitated my advice. And I know of my own experiences with my RRCs, a much more common car here than the Series Land Rovers.

All I've got is my 2 cents, so that's what I'm giving. However, considering our economics in the US nowadays, I'm sure it's worth even less.

Western Slope Rover said:

I know folks who have done it here and it precipitated my advice. And I know of my own experiences with my RRCs, a much more common car here than the Series Land Rovers.

All I've got is my 2 cents, so that's what I'm giving. However, considering our economics in the US nowadays, I'm sure it's worth even less.

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Still don’t see the problem. All the parts are super easy to source and find. All you have to do is stomach the shipping costs. Which are no worse than what I have to pay when shipping parts from the USA for my Camaro.

Loads of parts suppliers ship international and I’m sure eBay also does their global shipping service. Of course I’ve only used it USA to U.K. but see no reason why they wouldn’t.

As for money, well as a rule most Americans have a higher disposal income than people in the U.K. and you are paid relatively more. Sometimes quite a lot more and then usually pay less tax than we do. Giving an “average” America far more spending and buying power than an equivalent in the U.K.!

300bhp/ton said:

Still don’t see the problem. All the parts are super easy to source and find. All you have to do is stomach the shipping costs. Which are no worse than what I have to pay when shipping parts from the USA for my Camaro.

Loads of parts suppliers ship international and I’m sure eBay also does their global shipping service. Of course I’ve only used it USA to U.K. but see no reason why they wouldn’t.

As for money, well as a rule most Americans have a higher disposal income than people in the U.K. and you are paid relatively more. Sometimes quite a lot more and then usually pay less tax than we do. Giving an “average” America far more spending and buying power than an equivalent in the U.K.!

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Well then. I guess our experience here was wrong. It was simple and affordable, but we just didn't know it. Thanks for the heads up. I feel better now.

By the way, there is no such thing as an average American.

I appreciate all of the feedback! I turned to the UK forum because I believed this group would have the greatest expertise, and I am grateful for all the insights you've shared. Unfortunately, I'm not close enough to see the truck in person, but here's a link with photos if anyone's interested in having a look:

Welcome to the zoo from Colorado. I assume you're from California or Florida from your forum name. The folks here know their stuff, including vast amounts of knowledge about our country, as you can see.

If they are a passion and you can afford the purchase and upkeep, a Land Rover is a neat vehicle. Lacking the zeal or the disposable income, forget about them. They can become a real trial otherwise.

Good luck.

For a 50 year plus vehicle it looks pretty good, rust levels look surface only.
Any classic vehicle take some dedication to keep on the road as per @Western Slope Rover post above.
Perhaps the best advice would be to have a go at driving one and see if you like and if OK perhaps then budget for one that is an on road runner. All the best whichever way you go.

miramar said:

I appreciate all of the feedback! I turned to the UK forum because I believed this group would have the greatest expertise, and I am grateful for all the insights you've shared. Unfortunately, I'm not close enough to see the truck in person, but here's a link with photos if anyone's interested in having a look:

No Reserve: 1971 Land Rover 88 Series IIA Project

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1971 Land Rover 88 Series IIA Project at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #153,572.

bringatrailer.com

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It looks like a good project vehicle from the photos and description. The body is aluminium alloy, so doesn’t rust. Looks like it is a CA vehicle so rust less of an issue. For us in the U.K. we suffer with rusty rotted chassis, foot wells and bulkheads. Which can often mean major work to resolve. However all the parts are available. Ie you can get new footwells to weld in place.

Chassis most likely to rust at the front dump irons and near the front cross member. And also at the back. But you can repair in place with replacement parts or just get a metal worker to fab up and weld in some bits. But guessing this may not be an issue on that truck if it has been CA based.

Body work just wants a rub down and paint.

Interior looks complete. Seats could be reupholstered locally I’m sure. Or new ones available from the U.K.

You’ll need to sort the wheels out. Don’t run an odd size on the back. But an easy fix.

Drum brakes might need an overhaul. All bits available.

Engine wise. The 2.25 doesn’t make much power. But they are normally pretty durable. Can smoke a little sometimes. Running issues are normally carb or ignition related. Again over haul bits all easy to get. Or replacements and upgrades. You can also easily swap in other engines. Land Rover Tdi engines bolt right in pretty much. And lots of people fit Rover V8’s. You can also get adapter kits to mate to other engines or use other gearboxes too.

Gearboxes can whine and make noise. But usually no trouble. All bits can be bought to overhaul and a local shop could then rebuild it for you.

Electrics are very very simple.

Overall if you are happy with the money go for it!

Like all projects. If you plan to do the work yourself you’ll save big time on labour costs. Which is where vast sums of money can go. And if you source parts rather than reply on others to get them you can also usually save too.

I’d guess the biggest difference is. You won’t be able to pop to the local parts store to get some items. Which means it might take a couple of weeks if you need a part shipping from outside the USA. Because of this I’d say it will cost more to maintain than a similar aged CJ Jeep. But is more a time management thing. It shouldn’t really cost that much more. They are simple, robust and reliable vehicles. So once you get it sorted it should be easy to live with.

Btw leaf springs are not the most comfy or flexy in stock form. However you can easily rebuild or mod the leaf packs. Plus options like Rocky Mountains Spares for improved springs.

Steering could be heavy and vague. It shouldn’t have lots of play, but a worn steering box, steering relay and slip in the linkages can give poor results. All pretty easy to fix. But maybe the biggest spend area. Power steering conversions are available using p38 Range Rover parts. Again something you’d be able to solve locally most likely.

Western Slope Rover said:

Well then. I guess our experience here was wrong. It was simple and affordable, but we just didn't know it. Thanks for the heads up. I feel better now.

By the way, there is no such thing as an average

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Maybe you could detail your experience, the issues you faced and why it cost you so much?

Doing anything on cars can get pricey. But there are usually multiple ways to achieve things. E.g.

I fitted 4 new springs to my Camaro last year. I sourced what I wanted and bought direct from Stano Performance Parts in PA. Had to wait about 3 weeks for shipping. Then paid VAT and import duty when they arrived. The shipping was also expensive when you compared to the price of the items.

However I still managed to get 4 springs for circa £400. I then fitted myself. Job done.

If I had gone to a “specialists” and left it with them to sort out. I’d probably have ended paying £800-900 for the springs. Plus £500-1000 worth of labour and chances of them wanting to replace other items that didn’t strictly need replacing. I bet I could easily have spanked out nearer £2500 to achieve the same end result.

So depending which route you take or how savvy you are. You can end up spending a lot more money.

Back to your original question wasit worth $4700 ,bidding with 50mins to go is $8000
Looks very good, but compare to one in A1 condition over there to see what they could fetch.
If it drives it could be roadworthy for little cost and then a rolling restoration if you want to . But most of that would be clean, derust and repaint .. nice project might go for over 10k

Could be a good investment