Bresser off eBay for project

[sunndog]

it was the amsterdam motorshow rodders

[rodp]

The reason why they are still in the desert is the poor sods couldn't get them to start and had to walk out.

It's interesting to note the sales demographics here in OZ:
Old Landie: Expat poms with goatees and guns.
Disco & Range Rover: Bankers and upper middle class urban dwellers who never ever ever go off road.

Landcruiser:
Some of said UMUDs.
Farmers.
Mine workers.
Forestry workers.
Tradesmen who work in the bush.
Cops.
Any govt. dept. that has to go off sealed roads.

The Disco is a very comfy car off road, and the original aluminum body jobbie has a lot going for it as it can be left out in the weather as a farm truck, but the Japs have worked out how to make reliable 4 wheel drives.

According to Land Rover themselves and articles from Toyota in various mags twenty + years ago the reason for the jap takeover was purely financial, and planned
land Rover was shelling out vast sums of money just supporting their vehicles abroad, the logistics of it were way too much for a relatively small company that had nothing to gain from it after the government stopped the post war export drive. They could sell all they could produce quite locally at a better profit.
Toyota on the other hand HAD to export or die, and, not only 4x4's but a whole range of vehicles. It made perfect business sense for Toyota to lose money supporting their 4x4 range overseas purely as an advertising campaign for the company (which was still just "one of those jap makes" then).

So, as LR slowly withdrew Toyota filled a gap A very similar scenario to Kawasaki heavy engineering and bikes, get the name out or fade away.

And I'm still waiting for someone to show me all the 30 year old jap wagons that are still running around in perfect condition

[rodp]

it was the amsterdam motorshow rodders

Thought it was Adam Thinking about it now I think production started in mid to late 47 to get stock ready for early 48 (easter?) motor show. That's why folk get mixed up about start of production dates. It was most definitely on their own chassis though, willys was just used as mock up.
I really don't keep up with things so much nowadays and dates, numbers etc slip my memory. I was trying to remember the other day, in conversation, how many were made with RR engines in and for the life of me couldn't be certain, I'd guess at eight or ten though if I had to

[PESCA]

Unsure about longevity of the Hilux and not too concerned as I tend not to keep vehicles for too many years, but having had Landys for over 30 years now (sold my last one two months ago-don't really count my Disco as a Landy ), I'm liking the ability and comfort of my Hilux (must be an age thing) and I'm hoping that I don't have to climb about it for fixing purposes.

When my Disco finally dies (the shooting motor), it will be replaced by this Hilux and I'll probably buy another Hilux for Sunday best. Geordie two Hilux

If there's something I would change about the Hilux, it would be the overall length. Pain to turn on narrow tracks. Also, the tailgate doesn't lock, so no point in putting a padlock on the Ifor Williams.

I had lots of work done to the Disco about two years ago, so I'm hoping I will get a bit more use out of it. It's the commercial and makes a great shooting vehicle. Very capable and lots of room in the back for the dogs too. The work was an effort to stop the "rots while you stand and watch" syndrome.

I've had seven Landy's, a diesel Rangie (3.8 Perky), one Disco, Navarra, Daihatsu, Isuzu Trooper and an Austin Champ. The Hilux is my favourite (though doing 50 mph in reverse in the Austin Champ is something to be experienced ).

George

[rodp]

Had a Champ when I was a "yoof", like you say, reverse flat out is an eye opener It was a great tool for rabbiting, you could drive the thing flat out over ploughed fields without spilling a drink Downside was 4 mpg playing about we used to have a whip round to go out in it

Also tried a 3l td Hilux Surf, whilst I was impressed that most everything worked I didn't like the straight leg driving position. Nor the fact that in the end a design fault that was known to Toyota (and instantly modified by Assie fans who want to get home) killed it. Didn't like the fuel consumption either, used as much as a 3.9V8 Range Rover, it had some grunt for towing though, I'll give it that.

[PESCA]

Mines only a 2.4 Turbo, Rod. Reckon it gives me about 30 mpg.

George

[rodp]

Mines only a 2.4 Turbo, Rod. Reckon it gives me about 30 mpg.

George

What year George ?

Just in the garage messing and I had a sickening thought. I was thinking back to my first ever LR, a 1953 80". It seems a really old motor now, 1953, donkeys years old. Then it occurred to me that in fact when I had it in 1970 it was only 17 years old. My current disco of choice, 300tdi auto, is a 96 (N reg), and that's 16 years old.
Am I really that old now ?

[Radagast]

My shooting partner's 'gun bus' is his Hilux king cab with 3.0 diesel and an aftermarket turbo. Manages 110km/h up hill, so that will do fine for getting to and from the properties.
I'm working on getting my parents 1950 Grey Fergie running again. Doubt that counts for shooting though - unless we get a break out of feral 3 toed sloths.

[22-250jock]

ha ha a little grey fergie was the first tractor I ever drove, that was 30 years ago

[PESCA]

It's a 2007 MK6, Rod. Double cab.

George