Joined Retro Rides some time ago and have not really had anything worthy to contribute but I do spend too much time having a read round, especially the Canadian Porsche thread. Hopefully now after some alcohol fueled eBay surfing I may just have the thing...
Sometimes, the best stories start with "watch this" or "I may have been a little drunk"
This sort of falls into the later.
A few years ago we tried to buy an SJ Wagoneer but it did not happen and have since watched the prices spiral way from my wallet capability. It does not stop me having Wagoneer as a Worldwide followed item, this is where the Jeep XJ comes in, as they have been appearing and I have a look and try to justify the (admittedly low) purchase price, plus the shipping from the USA or Canada invariably means £3-£5k landed.
Ok, so that's you up to date.
So, a few weeks ago a rather sad looking XJ Wagoneer appears via my eBay email, crappy pictures and poor description... my favourite !! and it was in the UK on Italian plates... what could go wrong my Corona diluted brain wondered.
Now it must be said, I have a very understanding wife, but even this may be a plan too far. so when in doubt remember "forgiveness is easier to seek than permission" so I put in a cheeky Best Offer.
Next morning, my offer had not been accepted, but I showed the eBay page to Mrs N saying to her "I can't believe nobody has bought this" I recall the reply being " that's quite cool, buy it if the price is right" that's what I recall, though it may have actually been slightly less complimentary, either way it was a green light.
I got to work and received a counter offer for a little more than I was willing to chance, so I rang the seller to find a common ground, we got within £50 of where I wanted to be so I upped a little and the deal was done.
So, not for the first time have I bought an unseen pup on a wing and a prayer.
With a transport company organised the Wagoneer was dropped off at 22:00 the following night
The Wagoneer was dropped off at 22:00 on a Saturday night, with a misfire and a blowing exhaust it limped round to my garage and turned out to be reluctant to stop. In fairness I had pretty low expectations, I had managed to locate myself an XJ Wagoneer for less than the shipping alone would cost me from the USA or Canada.
Deciding to leave it tucked up and look at it with fresh eyes in the morning. A bit of bed time reading was the Italian paperwork, well I say reading, more picking out words I could understand. It looks like the Wagoneer was first registered in Italy in 1994 and spent most of its time in the Torino area of Italy. The Manhattan Jeep-AMC dealer badge on the back may be original or not, but the car has a KPH speedo and the handbook is in Italian so may have been destined for export from day one, perhaps spending time registered and used in the USA to avoid import tax.
Sunday morning, reveal day... All the panels are straight with the odd ding, all the Wagoneer specific trim is there. The paint is faded and lacquer peeling and the bonnet has been keyed.
Interior is surprisingly good with just a tiny tear in the drivers seat, one of the rear door panels was partly off and it looked like some of the trim was missing, luckily I found it the back with the factory over mats. the only down side, and probably easily sorted is the saggy headlining looking like a Harem.
Floors and boot floor, like new, I suppose this was my biggest concern that I would be drawn into a load of welding, but apart from some surface corrosion, it is fresh as a daisy.
Engine and drivetrain... well it moves under it's own steam (literally) but does not want to stop.
Engine is running rough and the manifold is blowing thanks to 2 snapped studs, and we may have a blown headgasket. I have not had chance to do a leak down test yet, but head coming off is not the end of the world, especially if the broken studs are flush with the head. Found the vac pipe from the throttle body to the MAP sensor half missing too, unfortunately where it fits to the T/B is N/L/A so some ingenuity will be required.
Brakes, it is fitted with the horrible Bendix 9 set up, this will be junked and a servo, M/cyl and valve from a 95/96 as they are the most straight forward to convert, Our friends on the other side of the Atlantic believe the LHD and RHD are the same units, so that saves some messing.
First jobs will be:
Sort out H/gasket or not
Sort Exhaust manifold to head
MAP sensor
Brakes Servo conversion
Fit proper Euro rear lights
Once I have a running/driving car I can get it MOT'd and then registered
Sometimes, the best stories start with "watch this" or "I may have been a little drunk"
This sort of falls into the later.
A few years ago we tried to buy an SJ Wagoneer but it did not happen and have since watched the prices spiral way from my wallet capability. It does not stop me having Wagoneer as a Worldwide followed item, this is where the Jeep XJ comes in, as they have been appearing and I have a look and try to justify the (admittedly low) purchase price, plus the shipping from the USA or Canada invariably means £3-£5k landed.
Ok, so that's you up to date.
So, a few weeks ago a rather sad looking XJ Wagoneer appears via my eBay email, crappy pictures and poor description... my favourite !! and it was in the UK on Italian plates... what could go wrong my Corona diluted brain wondered.
Now it must be said, I have a very understanding wife, but even this may be a plan too far. so when in doubt remember "forgiveness is easier to seek than permission" so I put in a cheeky Best Offer.
Next morning, my offer had not been accepted, but I showed the eBay page to Mrs N saying to her "I can't believe nobody has bought this" I recall the reply being " that's quite cool, buy it if the price is right" that's what I recall, though it may have actually been slightly less complimentary, either way it was a green light.
I got to work and received a counter offer for a little more than I was willing to chance, so I rang the seller to find a common ground, we got within £50 of where I wanted to be so I upped a little and the deal was done.
So, not for the first time have I bought an unseen pup on a wing and a prayer.
With a transport company organised the Wagoneer was dropped off at 22:00 the following night
The Wagoneer was dropped off at 22:00 on a Saturday night, with a misfire and a blowing exhaust it limped round to my garage and turned out to be reluctant to stop. In fairness I had pretty low expectations, I had managed to locate myself an XJ Wagoneer for less than the shipping alone would cost me from the USA or Canada.
Deciding to leave it tucked up and look at it with fresh eyes in the morning. A bit of bed time reading was the Italian paperwork, well I say reading, more picking out words I could understand. It looks like the Wagoneer was first registered in Italy in 1994 and spent most of its time in the Torino area of Italy. The Manhattan Jeep-AMC dealer badge on the back may be original or not, but the car has a KPH speedo and the handbook is in Italian so may have been destined for export from day one, perhaps spending time registered and used in the USA to avoid import tax.
Sunday morning, reveal day... All the panels are straight with the odd ding, all the Wagoneer specific trim is there. The paint is faded and lacquer peeling and the bonnet has been keyed.
Interior is surprisingly good with just a tiny tear in the drivers seat, one of the rear door panels was partly off and it looked like some of the trim was missing, luckily I found it the back with the factory over mats. the only down side, and probably easily sorted is the saggy headlining looking like a Harem.
Floors and boot floor, like new, I suppose this was my biggest concern that I would be drawn into a load of welding, but apart from some surface corrosion, it is fresh as a daisy.
Engine and drivetrain... well it moves under it's own steam (literally) but does not want to stop.
Engine is running rough and the manifold is blowing thanks to 2 snapped studs, and we may have a blown headgasket. I have not had chance to do a leak down test yet, but head coming off is not the end of the world, especially if the broken studs are flush with the head. Found the vac pipe from the throttle body to the MAP sensor half missing too, unfortunately where it fits to the T/B is N/L/A so some ingenuity will be required.
Brakes, it is fitted with the horrible Bendix 9 set up, this will be junked and a servo, M/cyl and valve from a 95/96 as they are the most straight forward to convert, Our friends on the other side of the Atlantic believe the LHD and RHD are the same units, so that saves some messing.
First jobs will be:
Sort out H/gasket or not
Sort Exhaust manifold to head
MAP sensor
Brakes Servo conversion
Fit proper Euro rear lights
Once I have a running/driving car I can get it MOT'd and then registered
