The truth about the cost of restoring a Series 1 Land Rover that nobody talks about.

When you see a beautifully restored old Land Rover Series 1 selling for a ridiculous price you may wonder why? Well that is until you see the cost of restoring a Series 1 Land Rover. In this video I share the detailed cost of my 1955 Land Rover Series 1 107 restoration and discuss the different elements and detailed cost of restoration.
Here is a link to the article with the detailed cost to restore a Land Rover Series 1
theoverlandlegend.co.za/uncat...
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
1:28 The Budget
3:52 Incomplete vehicles
6:20 Original vs non original rebuild
9:28 Quality of the restoration
12:20 The hidden labour cost
13:21 What does a restoration cost
14:30 Detailed cost analysis
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The Overland Legend is all about building Land Rovers and overlanding in Southern Africa. We cover Land Rover restorations and builds as well as classic overland trips and new adventures.
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[@johngunning2123]

Great video and I agree with your comments. As you know I am currently restoring a 1955 Series 1, 107" Land Rover. My LR was complete with the original engine, gearbox and axles when I bought it apart from a radiator, an air cleaner and a rear tub. Originally I had allowed $20K for the restoration. This has blown out to almost double but every seal and bearing has been replaced, the engine has been completely rebuilt, and the gearbox and axles have also been stripped and rebuilt. Every body panel has been stripped and re-painted, all the steel body parts re-galvanised, the steering wheel professionally restored and a brand new period wiring harness. New glass throughout and new tyres. I have also managed to source new hand rivets and paid attention to where they were used versus where blind rivets were used. No plastic cable ties on the vehicle at all since these were not even invented in 1955. I also managed to source steel self-tapping screws with Round or Pan-Head with straight screwdriver slots as opposed to Phillips head. It is a very expensive exercise if you do a restoration properly. I am not a fan of "Patina" restoration at all despite all the hype that is Patina these days. One thing I was unaware of and it would probably stop me from doing another restoration is the amount of time I have spent on the end of a 4" angle grinder with a wire wheel or sanding disc! 🤬

[@TheOverlandLegend]

You are so right, the cleaning of the small parts is never ending and painful. Your restoration sounds immaculate. One thing I’ve learned is take the time to do it properly first time. Thanks for watching

[@conrad1468]

Excellent tally of the cost. Great job on the resto!

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Thanks a lot

[@vido4x4]

You did a brilliant job! I’m in the process of restoring a 1966 Series 2a 88”. I have a full time job so I only work on it on weekends or during stay-at-home vacations. Sometimes when I think of the money and time I spend working on it as opposed to driving it, I regret not spending the extra money on one that was already restored. Oh well, onward and upward!

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Thank you. I hear you and am in the same boat, but his has been 5 years now working odd weekends and holidays. It has helped spread out the cost though. Keep going the reward in the end will be worth it and eventually you will drive it for far longer than it took to restore

[@calsurflance5598]

I’m also doing a 1966 , 88”. I feel your pain. Lol

[@calsurflance5598]

Allen is an inspiration. I, however don’t have a dedicated space to do a full restoration, nor the patience. If the Landy is in the garage than either my other car or my wife’s car is outside. My Land Rover is a 1966 88”, and was still in daily use on a ranch. It is in need of a lot of TLC. My goal is to make it safe and reliable, but not a concourse machine. I’m retired , so one would think I had more time to work on it. Haha !,that is never the case. Best of luck with yours.👍

[@neilmacleod3513]

You basically told my own story. My $5500 Australian dollar Series 3 finally cost about $27000 to bring to a full restoration. About double what I originally had in mind. Don’t regret it at all, but it is a warning to newbies not go into a full restoration half cocked. Cheers

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Thanks so much for sharing. This had made me realise and accept that this is fairly normal. You are so right about having your eyes open and being prepared to complete the job. The reward is a beautiful classic vehicle.

[@andicog]

Interesting to compare the costs to restoring one in the UK, I presume that labour rates will be higher while parts prices will be lower.

[@TheOverlandLegend]

I think I’d agree with that

[@niallwalsh2592]

brialiant and informing video

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Thank you very much

[@tonyadeney1245]

nice video - like the detail given good job mate - brit

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Cheers mate Thanks 👍 glad you enjoyed it a

[@matthewsimpson9490]

Interesting to find how much this cost and how different it is from buying a new car

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Agree it give a good perspective on all of the options

[@jonocharles1046]

What a good perspective. Happier now having sold my '53 80" for half price (and it was very solid) But. To restore after a 1980's restore, into a very smart show truck, would have cost 10k stg. The most frightening prospect was re galvanising those galvanised parts previously just painted. Imagine if all or some those parts had gone missing. Plus the engine was out of a rover p4, it had indicators let into the wings. Other than that, it was a super original and solid car. Terrifying to consider restoring a basket case. I sold for 4 times what i paid over 15 years owning, any bank not returning that!

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Sounds like you made the right call. These Series 1 restorations are something else.

[@David-lb4te]

Thanks for a well considered video. You mentioned that you replaced the axles with Series 3; what was the reason for the change?

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Thanks for the comments. I was missing the rear axle when I got the vehicle and have not managed to find one. I had these other two axles available.Hopefully one day I will find a rear axle.

[@David-lb4te]

@@TheOverlandLegend Ok, thanks. Good job. I was driving my 1960 SII 109 basic today and thinking how much I enjoy the experience, 20 years after I rebuilt it.

[@donbar6480]

very interesting , nice video . funny you metion the other You tuber ' Loz L ' i watched some his work a little while ago .

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Thanks for watching glad you found it interesting

[@andymckane7271]

A-1, superb video presentation of the cost of restoring your Series I, 107" wheelbase Land-Rover! I'll have to watch your video again and see if the price you quoted (in dollars, as I do not know the present conversion rate for the South African Rand), was given in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars or some other nation's dollars. If the answer is you gave the final price in U.S. dollars, and that price was between $17,000 and $19,000 for the finished vehicle---not including your own labor, which must certainly be measured in the hundreds if not thousands of hours of your own time---I'd say you got off very cheaply! I used to have a Land Rover parts business in San Diego, California. Said business, McKane's Rover Imports, Inc., sold genuine Rover and Land Rover parts obtained from what was then known as British Leyland. I owned the business from 1974 to 1 January 1986. The suggested retail price on a new (not rebuilt) front or rear differential (Rover p/n 594484n) was, as I recall, $986.00 in late 1983. (My business obtained these from the British Leyland parts warehouse in Brisbane, CA. My business was given a fifteen percent discount on 594484n off the "suggested retail" price.) I suspect a new Land Rover front and rear "Rover" (not ENV, not Salisbury) diff in this day and age, if available, would probably cost $2,000 or more in U.S. dollars. Rear half shafts, p/n 591378 and 591379 cost between $150.00 and $175.00 in mid-1985. (I sold hundreds of these in the eleven years I owned McKane's Rover Imports, Inc.) It appears you rebuilt an original Series II or IIA gearbox. A new Series III gearbox in the mid-1980's retailed for close to $5,000 in U.S. dollars. I personally preferred the Series III gearbox to the Series I, II, or IIA gearboxes. You've done a fabulous job with your restored Land Rover! I'll subscribe today to your You Tube channel so I can keep up with how your fully restored Series I Land Rover works out for you once it is completed! Great job! Thank you very much1 Andy McKane, 2 March 2024, Maunaloa, Hawaii.

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Thanks so much for the detailed comment Andy! Those prices you quote are fascinating thanks for that. I have to say that I am realizing that I have done ok price wise on this rebuild. It’s not about the money of course but it’s still good to know that I have not over done it. Thanks for subscribing, I hope you have many happy years in this Landy and I’ll be sharing that.

[@TheOverlandLegend]

It is USD by the way and the gearbox is the original from this vehicle

[@jonocharles1046]

Currently restoring a 200 tdi 90. The downsides, never get back the investment..upside compared to S1, i can mix with everyday traffic and not be completely terrified !

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Nothing wrong with that. The TDI 90 is just as much fun and so much more practical

[@WJGoosen]

Would be interesting to know how many hours you've put into it? Did a rough costing on Nut and Bolt for a s2a88 comes to about 350k with 650hrs of labour.

[@actionbundi9]

That sounds about right, my estimation would be around 700h

[@blobbocus4201]

I have been looking at doing something like this, however what I want to do is have the body standard but everything else modernised.

[@actionbundi9]

That’s quite possible and best if you find a non standard vehicle to start from. Just allow for extra time and cost for modifications, it’s not always simple. Also be aware that the less standard the vehicle the less its ultimate value will be.

[@blobbocus4201]

@@actionbundi9 Honestly I am not concerned about the resell value. If I do all of that work I think I'll keep the vehicle. I have been thinking of going with a Discovery 1 instead, due to availability compared to the series

[@TheOverlandLegend]

@@blobbocus4201 Disco 1 is a good option, these vehicles are great value at the moment

[@JulianCoogan-zl1ru]

Actually that's cheap $17000 for a full restoration when you consider what you get for that compared to a new car, well worth it and you end up with a unique, practical vehicle! Here in the UK a 40 year plus classic car is tax, MOT test & lower emission zones exempt. I love old cars!

[@TheOverlandLegend]

That’s good to know and you right it is actually cheap for what you get. And I’m sure it will last another lifetime and our live me too. I wish we also got all this tax breaks on vintage cars.

[@JulianCoogan-zl1ru]

I am very tempted by an old LR series 1 in particular, just love the look of them and they are well worth restoring and must be such fun to drive! You gave a really good breakdown of best practice and cost analysis! I just subscribed just in case I end up getting an old landy series 1 because you will definitely be the goto place to help figure things out in the well explained detail!

[@TheOverlandLegend]

They are such iconic vehicles with a rich history that won’t change. I waited 20 years to restore this one and I am glad I did. Thanks for subscribing

[@porcobene_media]

Oh, that’s much cheaper than i expected to be honest. All outsourced works would be much more in Germany (especially in the south). I expected 2 to 3 times more. But still a lot money of course. Thanks for sharing

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Very interesting, but also I’d expect quality of work to be better in Germany. But do agree it’s cheaper in SA. Thanks for watching

[@porcobene_media]

@@TheOverlandLegend of course. Very good video. Super interesting. Very good work

[@onetonlandrover]

Yeah i think abyone thinking old landrovers are "cheap" is frankly deluded. Im currently having a 1966 88" rebuilt. The cost has certainly been eye-opening!

[@TheOverlandLegend]

That’s exactly it, it’s going to cost you

[@nextechsolutions5955]

Although you never stated it, I’m sure your beautiful Series I is now worth far more than you spent in money. Am I right or wrong?!?

[@actionbundi9]

This is a difficult question because the values vary so much, but I would probably break even or make a very small profit. But I don’t think I would lose out.

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

Mutton dressed up as Lamb.? Nut and Bolt Restoration.? Restored.? Rebuild.? Original patina, but restored? 😮😮 Original..... 🤔🤔🤔 None of the above can be seen as "original", except ORIGINAL... The moment you replace an original part with a new original part, the Landy isn't original anymore..purist view.. So, what do we call it then ?? Original is as from the assembly line, date of manufacturing... finish en klaar.. Some old "barn finds" are sometimes still original. On some farms, especially here in RSA/Namibia, you can still find the odd old workhorse, some parts welded back, or tied down with steel wire, but still original... that is original... semi moertu... As Alan said, where is your cutting off line... The further you go, the less chances you have to stop, the deeper your hands goes into your pockets, as you are getting beyond the point of no return... A neat "full nut and bolt restoration" makes an old vehicle looks nice, but it will never be the same again.. The smell, the soul, the history isn't there anymore.. Yes, I hear the "anti-patina guy" somewhere a bit earlier in the comments, but it's each one to his own... I'm the owner of 7x Landies at this moment, and the newest one is the 23 rd one I had through the years. ( by the way, I was born in the back of a Landy in the Kruger Park way back in a S1 CSW 107" ) My fleet of oil leaks and pop rivets in formation exists of: 1957 Stationwagon 107" in "semi-original" stage 😂😂😂 My 1977 101 FC was a total rebuild ( not restoration ) by a knowledgeable Dutch Landy Fanatic, and I love it..usted to be an Ambulance in some British interference wars, but converted into a campertruck. I love it.. No patina, except one spot where the military camo paint shows... The 109" CSW S3 1970? is as original as can be, with no market value, restored or not. A dud, with patina and sad history. The 1962 88" is full of patina caused by using it about every day, city, desert, bush, beach, the love of my life. The rest are a bit butchered, a S2a beautiful pick up with 4,1 Chev motor 🙊, a 1998 D1, ( my quick getaway car ) and a 1959 S2 88" project that is just waiting, but for what I don't now, I'm on my last quarter in life... All of it is part of my weakness for the Green Oval. Each old *original* Landy has a soul, please don't fuck with it.. 😢😢😢 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Love you, Alan, nice video, nice awaking call....

[@TheOverlandLegend]

All true Alwyn, each to his own. Garage queens are pointless in my view, I want to drive it and use it and enjoy it. I like a full restoration because you get a new reliable Land Rover. A rare commodity these days.

[@philhealey4443]

If I live long enough to get round to refurbishing my 1956 S1 (my last restoration was around 1986), it's going to be patina all the way. Jim Ratcliffe 's recent 'first' LR refurbishment being the gold standard.

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Sounds like a brilliant plan

[@charliemyres5450]

I have been on Land Rover forums and chat groups for 21 years and the topic of cost regularly gets discussed, especially when someone asks. Restoring any car, brand-new, or old, always costs a fortune. Why is anyone surprised by this!

[@TheOverlandLegend]

I think if you are in the know you should have an idea but many don’t seem to.

[@fraserbenton6496]

Oh no. Best that my wife doesn't see this...... 🙄

[@TheOverlandLegend]

It’s ok I won’t tell her

[@swatscorner]

This is painful to watch. 😅

[@TheOverlandLegend]

😅 the honest truth but luckily it’s not all about the money

[@swatscorner]

@@TheOverlandLegendno, of course not!!