Archives for posts with tag: cars

Spotted: 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

May 16, 2013 //

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There’s something about these old Wagoneers. They grow on you. This was America’s first luxury SUV: rugged, wood-paneled, beautiful. This 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is powered by a 360 c.i. (5.9-liter) V8 and has a low 140 hp but a respectable 273 lb-ft of torque, and an automatic transmission. It has traveled just over 100,000 miles, although the seller states that engine was replaced at 66,000 miles. He also states that the truck has been restored. He lists a number of replaced parts but doesn’t state whether this was a frame-off restoration or not.

According to Wikipedia the 1987–1991 (the last year of production) models are considered the “best of the breed,” as these include upgrades such as better paint and wheels. The 1989-and-later trucks had further fit, finish, and mechanical improvements. One such improvement was a rear wiper assembly which, unfortunately, this one lacks.

The color combination on this one is fantastic though: Spinnaker Blue and wood paneling over a beige leather-and-fabric interior. Check out how thick the carpets are. Have a look at the amazing plaid ceiling.

This Wagoneer is available on ebay and located in Everett, Washington. The bidding currently stands at $7,100 with an unmet reserve. The Buy-It-Now price is $44k. The auction closes in about four days.

If you’d like to do additional research, check out Wagoneer World, a Texas Wagonner dealer, GrandWagoneer.com, a restoration shop with hundreds of photos on their site, and, of course, Wikipedia.

More photos of this truck below.

Update 5/21/2013: The truck was bid up to $10,100 on ebay but failed to meet reserve.

Link trail: ebay Read the rest of this entry »

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Categories - 4x4 / SUV, - Pictures, - Spotted:, FEATURES, MEDIA, VEHICLES

Spotted: Land Rover Series IIA 88

May 13, 2013 //

IMG_1085

I spotted this 1971 Land Rover Series IIA 88 Utility on ebay yesterday. The seller states that it was treated to a $50k, frame-off restoration in 2000 at the British Northwest Land Rover Company, and has taken four Best in Class awards since that time. Better-than-new upgrades include dual gas tanks, leather seats, stainless steel exhaust, and gearing to allow 70-mph highway cruising.

This classic, soft-top Land Rover was finished in marine blue and features a 2.25-liter, four-cylinder, gasoline engine. Total mileage is just over 51,000, with 4,000 having been driven since the restoration. The condition really does look fantastic.

The vehicle is located in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Bidding currently stands at $14,600 with an unmet reserve. There are about eight days left on the auction. More photos below.

Update 5/19/2013: This Land Rover sold for a high bid of $34,250.

Link trail: ebay > Wikipedia Read the rest of this entry »

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Categories - 4x4 / SUV, - Pictures, - Spotted:, FEATURES, MEDIA, VEHICLES

Spotted: 1972 Series IIA Dormobile

February 22, 2013 //

Back Camera
Here’s a classic overlander for sale on Expedition Portal. It’s a 1972 Land Rover Series IIA Dormobile. These Land Rovers were modified by the Dormobile company with the addition of a sink, stove, and integrated tent roof.

This one is said to have a rare, 2.6-liter, 6-cylinder engine and about 50,000 miles. According to the ad, it needs a little bit to address the brakes and a leaky gas tank but at $12,000 it may be a pretty good buy.

It’s located in Golden, Colorado. More photos after the jump.

Link trail: Expo write-up > Expo Ad Read the rest of this entry »

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Categories - 4x4 / SUV, - Campers, - Pictures, - Spotted:, FEATURES, MEDIA, VEHICLES

Spotted: 2-Door Land Cruiser 70-series Diesel

February 13, 2013 //

LX
Here’s a rare, and last minute, Spotted post. I just came across this ebay. It’s a 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser 70-series, 2-door, diesel in LX trim.

The 70-series was, and is, a highly capable branch of the Land Cruiser family tree that was never imported into the US. It was so capable, in fact, that Scott Brady chose the 4-door 70-series for his Expeditions 7 around the world trip. The seller doesn’t state where this one started it’s life. Canada is my guess, given that the mileage is in kilometers but the steering is on the left.

The mileage is getting up there at about 272k kms (169k miles), and there is a bit of rust and the odd tear in the seat. But for someone interested in a rare, diesel, Land Cruiser, I imagine this would be quite a find.

The vehicle is listed on ebay in South Carolina with a current bid of only $8,700. If you’re interested, jump on it. There are only four hours left in the auction, which currently has 32 bids.

Update 2/13/2013: Bidding for this rare Land Cruiser topped out at $11,600.

Links: ebay . Wikipedia 70-series article . Expo Expedition 7 article

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Categories - 4x4 / SUV, - Pictures, - Spotted:, FEATURES, MEDIA, VEHICLES

Check Local Gas Prices

February 11, 2013 //

gas-map
If you don’t already have a similar app on your phone, this website might come in handy.

GasBuddy maps the price of gas in your local area (if you’re in the United States). Zoomed out it gives you average prices. Zoom in and get specific prices at specific locations. Pretty cool.

Click the image or this link to go to the live map.

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Categories - Maps, - United States, MEDIA, North America, PLACES

200,000 Is the New 100,000

March 19, 2012 //

There was an interesting article in the New York Times the other day reporting that Americans are keeping their vehicles longer, both for economic reasons, and because build quality has improved so much in the last couple of decades. Now well-maintained vehicles with 200,000, even 300,000 miles, still ply the nation’s roads.

My own truck has over 215,000 miles on it. I think it’s more economical to fix whatever fails, even if that’s the engine, than to replace the entire truck with a used vehicle whose service history I don’t know. This is especially true given the modifications I’ve done to the truck. Swapping the aftermarket suspension, bumper, lights, and snorkel would be both time and cost prohibitive.

Buying a new vehicle is even more so. A friend once told me that buying a new car is one of the worst investments you can make. Within five years, something like 75% of your original investment will vanish to depreciation.

I hope my old truck (and yours) run a long time.

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Categories - 4x4 / SUV, - Cars, VEHICLES

Overlanding, Extra Old School

May 13, 2011 //

"Yes, Sir! We have both horseless and regular carriages!"

From the book, CHICAGO, At the Turn of the Century in Photographs by Larry A.Viskochil, published in 1984

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Categories - Cars, - Pictures, MEDIA, VEHICLES