J

jmetcalf1993

New Member
I have found several websites/companies based in the UK and Africa who specialize in providing Defenders internationally. Can I please have some help finding an appropriate company for my needs. Nothing fancy, just the basics... a Defender that looks swell and rungs great. Many companies receive bad publicity on LZ, especially Liveridge 4x4. So, If anyone can list the companies they are aware of or just give me some guidance it would be appreciated.

Please and thank you,

J. Metcalf
 
I would like some help, please. I am trying to surprise my wife with this vehicle by February of next year!

Need desperate guidance!
 
We got our landrover through Chris at Liveridge it was a good experience working with him. Though now I think his waiting list is almost a year before he starts work on it... and it will take a few months after that till it hits U.S soil.

His company produces a good truck with next to no rust on it, although they do cover the chassis in a thick layer of waxoil so its hard to see whats under it. I must say the master cylinder and slave cylinder on the clutch went within a couple of months of having it here, but other than that I have had no issues. He did send replacement parts right away with no charge. Also he has been a great source of knowledge and been very kind in taking time to talk about upgrades and such. We are actually getting ready to order 130 through him if everything goes to plan.

We did our research checking out many companies and we choose him and glad we did. anyother info shoot me a pm.
 
jmetcalf1993 said:
I have found several websites/companies based in the UK and Africa who specialize in providing Defenders internationally. Can I please have some help finding an appropriate company for my needs. Nothing fancy, just the basics... a Defender that looks swell and rungs great. Many companies receive bad publicity on LZ, especially Liveridge 4x4. So, If anyone can list the companies they are aware of or just give me some guidance it would be appreciated.

Please and thank you,

J. Metcalf
Click to expand...

here you go
Importing info.
 
Avoid Simmonites!! Had a very bad experience with them, in short had a ****ty quality, ****ty refurb and promised items not present. Then he tried to charge me more for it.

My custom build is still on his web site now, 16k 1995 300tdi "refurb".

Note the lack of coverings on
Seat boxes, patched up front passenger seat, pop riveted rear wings, second hand chequer plate covering the original badly dented wings as can be seen In the pictures. No mud flaps or side steps as promised.

"refurbed" wheels were actually salvaged from damaged vehicles, none were pristine. The paintwork was orange peel in places.

Even the tinted windows that I was to pay £400 was bubbled scratched and looked ****.

Rant over but I still have a bitter taste!
 
You may want to also try those Land Rover forums which have an international section as many users on here have no need to buy an Export ready re=furb. Refurb for EXport Landies are a lot more expenisve than buying a DIY in the UK vehicle.
 
Tazz070299 said:
You may want to also try those Land Rover forums which have an international section as many users on here have no need to buy an Export ready re=furb. Refurb for EXport Landies are a lot more expenisve than buying a DIY in the UK vehicle.
Click to expand...

Yep ..... There are alot of S3's in MOD dealers left hand drive just right for the USA a 20' sea container is about $3k fill it up with parts.
 
If you have the time I would also recommend what fur-trader stated, an ex-mod with a bunch of parts in a container to ship over.

As soon as you speak to any garage in the UK and ask for quotes regarding a LHD Defender with an American accent all they see is $$$ or should I say £££ in their eyes.

But if you have the extra cash laying around go for Liveridge or nenoverland but expect to pay high prices.
 
Sea Dog said:
If you have the time I would also recommend what fur-trader stated, an ex-mod with a bunch of parts in a container to ship over.

As soon as you speak to any garage in the UK and ask for quotes regarding a LHD Defender with an American accent all they see is $$$ or should I say £££ in their eyes.

But if you have the extra cash laying around go for Liveridge or nenoverland but expect to pay high prices.
Click to expand...

So buy a vehicle, the parts needed overseas and have it all shipped over to complete the project here in the US. Is that more economical than having 'experts' in the UK build my vehicle. I guess I could supervise the quality of work in my project. I have seen fully restored Defender 110's (refurbed by professional companies in the US) go for upwards of $100k. What do you think? How do I pick my vehicle. I wont be able to find a pristine vehicle so where do I draw the line on condition. Basically, how ****ty of a Defender should I buy?
 
jmetcalf1993 said:
So buy a vehicle, the parts needed overseas and have it all shipped over to complete the project here in the US. Is that more economical than having 'experts' in the UK build my vehicle. I guess I could supervise the quality of work in my project. I have seen fully restored Defender 110's (refurbed by professional companies in the US) go for upwards of $100k. What do you think? How do I pick my vehicle. I wont be able to find a pristine vehicle so where do I draw the line on condition. Basically, how ****ty of a Defender should I buy?
Click to expand...

How good are you with wrenches,and what kind of ability do you have to fix it yourself?????????????? Or are you someone with a fat wallet??
 
Fur Trapper said:
How good are you with wrenches,and what kind of ability do you have to fix it yourself?????????????? Or are you someone with a fat wallet??
Click to expand...

I have enough ability with cars to do a lot of it myself, but when it come to engine, transmission, paint and electrical, I would like to leave that to the guys who know what they are doing. I dont want to have to fix all of my own mistakes with the more important jobs. But I do have enough money to get it done. The only two things that I want my Defender to have is an AC and a radio. everything else is to be simple.
 
Have a look at Landroversuk.co.uk Based in Somerset, popped in a few years back to look at a 110 for myself. I didn't buy one then as I didn't have the funds available. Had a good look round, very friendly knowledgeable chaps, I was allowed to poke around and ask all the usual questions, no problem.
Favourite vehicle of the day i sat in? A beauty of a 110 just restored for a US customer. A nice early one, sliding windows, green lower half over cream upper, all new exmoor tweed cloth seats and the all important V8.
Give them a call mate, I'm sure it would be worthwhile.
 
jmetcalf1993 said:
I have enough ability with cars to do a lot of it myself, but when it come to engine, transmission, paint and electrical, I would like to leave that to the guys who know what they are doing. I dont want to have to fix all of my own mistakes with the more important jobs. But I do have enough money to get it done. The only two things that I want my Defender to have is an AC and a radio. everything else is to be simple.
Click to expand...

AC is out on a 25 yr old defender. So you have limited ability. and your Mom and dad have the money. Kinda hard to see where a 18 yr old can afford to buy something like what your dreams are. Unless you are JR EWING"S grand son?
 
I think you ought to start from deciding how much involvement you want to have in the refurbishment.
If none, and you want to buy one ready done, then its a case of trawling the web to make a shortlist of suppliers - there are lots of people in the refurb to a turnkey vehicle business, why not try some of the US based LR clubs and get some recommendations off the ? Then just keep an eye on their websites until once you like comes along.
At the same time keep an eye on ebay.com and try US based specialists - I`d be surprised if there wasn`t a pefectly decent LandRover already in your country waiting for you to buy it.
If however you want more involvement in the refurb - buying a project and making the bigger decisions as you go along in conjunction with a restorer that you trust then you might be looking at a different list of people. Smaller garages can`t afford to build for stock but a good one will find you a good base for a project and then restore it for you.
Its how you want to approach it but if it was me I would want a good project from a good restorer and then develop a restoration plan and budget with that restorer and agree how often you are to be kept informed.
If you are like that then its a slight change of mindset, and rather than a big surprise in February I`d maybe have a biggish surprise soon ( Honey , we`re going to England to look at some LR projects and pick one to restore ) and a slightly smaller one in February ( Honey your Landrover is at the docks ) with in between some regular updates via the web and on the phone so the only surprises are pleasant ones.
 
Fur Trapper said:
AC is out on a 25 yr old defender. So you have limited ability. and your Mom and dad have the money. Kinda hard to see where a 18 yr old can afford to buy something like what your dreams are. Unless you are JR EWING"S grand son?
Click to expand...

Fur Trapper, I am a Petroleum Engineering student who has been blessed with wonderful summer internships. My parents never gave me much, my sister was the favorite. I always saved up; one day I knew I would know what I wanted to spend it all on. I have plenty enough to buy a used Landy and get it back to the states outright. I also have plenty of money to pay half down, this very minute, for a fine restored vehicle. I work for my dreams. Thanks for the help though
 
IGP50 said:
I think you ought to start from deciding how much involvement you want to have in the refurbishment.
If none, and you want to buy one ready done, then its a case of trawling the web to make a shortlist of suppliers - there are lots of people in the refurb to a turnkey vehicle business, why not try some of the US based LR clubs and get some recommendations off the ? Then just keep an eye on their websites until once you like comes along.
At the same time keep an eye on ebay.com and try US based specialists - I`d be surprised if there wasn`t a pefectly decent LandRover already in your country waiting for you to buy it.
If however you want more involvement in the refurb - buying a project and making the bigger decisions as you go along in conjunction with a restorer that you trust then you might be looking at a different list of people. Smaller garages can`t afford to build for stock but a good one will find you a good base for a project and then restore it for you.
Its how you want to approach it but if it was me I would want a good project from a good restorer and then develop a restoration plan and budget with that restorer and agree how often you are to be kept informed.
If you are like that then its a slight change of mindset, and rather than a big surprise in February I`d maybe have a biggish surprise soon ( Honey , we`re going to England to look at some LR projects and pick one to restore ) and a slightly smaller one in February ( Honey your Landrover is at the docks ) with in between some regular updates via the web and on the phone so the only surprises are pleasant ones.
Click to expand...


Thank you for your help.

Because of my Major in college I have the ability to travel covertly and make up some good excuses on where I am going. For instance, I could tell my wife I am going to England with my father for an energy conference, which would be completely believable. I really want to travel and pick out a plan to put a down payment on and customize it to my personal spec. I like your ideas though... much appreciated!
 
I was much in the same issue of would I rather have a guy in the US do it or leave it to the guys in England who really know it, or should I dare try myself. I came to the conclusion that the plentiful parts and experience in England was the best idea, so I left it up to the professionals at liveridge.

Now its been here I have put a lift kit in, and done other minor work work to it. I have a good amount of tools and have a decent knowledge but I do not have a paint booth, or a lift, or many other toys which would make life easy when restoring it. Also, being a full time engineering student I don't really have the time to work on it full time. U said you have the cash, so go for liveridge and get yourself a quality defender.
 
I`ve heard good and bad things about Liveridge, good about Foley, but here`s an off the wall thought - why not try Dunsfold as well ?
They have a good collection of rare LandRovers which operates as a charitable trust but have a commercial restoration and service operation as well. They did a stunning job on a series 3 that my friend owned and it ended up being featured in LRO.
I think a trip over and some pre-arranged visits to look around a shortlist of possible restorers might well be a good idea.
Second off the wall thought - whilst you were over you could try to hire a Defender to drive you between appointments and test the reality of driving one over distances that here would be classed as fairly long, and in Texas would be a trip to the shops.
Best of luck with it.
 
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