How value my 1961 Series IIa

[stonecentral]

I have a bizarre truck -- a 1961 IIa with a snowplow in the front and a wood splitter on the back. Just installed a diesel TDI engine from a 1988 Defender. Body shape is poor but she would drive up a wall if there weren't gravity. Plow and splitter work great. I have a friend who wants to buy it, but I have no clue what it's worth. Any ideas?

[red90]

What specific engine? They did not make TDIs in 88.

There are really. Too many things to look at to make a price judgement online.

[stonecentral]

Thanks for the reply. I must be mistaken about the year of the donor Defender.

[stonecentral]

Do you know of any experts I could engage to give me a rough value if I provided photos/video?

[TimberPig]

Post photos up on here and you will get some advice.

With a hammered body and having been used as a plow truck, I am going to say value likely isn’t going to be huge. But without seeing it, it is hard to say an accurate number.

[stonecentral]

A few photos attached.

Dave

[red90]

That is a 2.5TD not a TDI. I would not think it improves the value over a stock Series. I would look at what a normal unrestored but running Series goes for these days.

A few years ago it would have been a couple thousand but is probably closer to 10 now. Assuming no rust and no mechanical issues.

[stonecentral]

Thanks -- really appreciate your thoughts.

[TimberPig]

From what I can see, I would say lower. $3-5k probably is more realistic in my mind. Maybe less even as there is a lot going on that has been altered.

The good:
Pickup cab (desirable, not as common and increases value)
Most from the seats forward is not bad for straightness

The bad:
Engine conversions are at best neutral for value, but mostly are lower in value
Frame has been cut badly to fit that splitter-major repairs or replacement to be roadworthy
Tub is destroyed to fit the splitter
Grille cut to fit the plow
Missing demister duct
The Montana plates are suggesting it isn’t BC registered, and even with the Montana registration in your name would require an inspection to get BC registration and the frame will never pass until repaired/replaced.

This is just what I can see from the photos, I am sure there is much more that is going on here than the photos show.If you have BC registration, or he has no intent of road use it may not matter as much, but the value will be less if it isn’t or can’t be road registered here. Best course if it doesn’t have registration might be to find another truck that has registration and use this plus that one to build a complete roadworthy truck.

[stonecentral]

Great analysis from a couple photos. I appreciate the time you put into this. Thanks.