DISCO 2 GETS NEW HOME
hen we build or modify our Land Rovers, we usually think of the long-term ownership of the vehicle. My Discovery 2 was put together in this way with everything protected as far as possible from corrosion and with the best parts and components that I could afford built in to the Land Rover. I learned years ago that it is rare for a Land Rover to be “for life”, but everything I did to the Discovery 2 was with this in mind. So, the body shell was professionally undersealed, the rusty chassis replaced with a galvanised one and many fixtures and fittings were made of stainless steel. There was even a new diesel engine and transmission fitted.
Even with this very significant investment, I knew that the Discovery would probably not be for life and for a number of reasons I decided to put it up for sale, after three years and 15,000 miles of happy ownership. LRM’S Classified advertisements are excellent for selling vehicles that are somewhat specialised, as opposed to standard factory stock. I was going to follow this route again, to find the right buyer for my Discovery 2. However, I was in conversation with John Bowden at Gumtree 4x4 and he suggested I try an online auction, with a suitable starting price and a reserve price that I would be comfortable with. Having looked at the seller fees for such an auction, which were lower than I expected, I duly created my auction for a 10-day run. The auction had the desired effect, attracting over 80 ‘watchers’, a few questions with proper ‘buying signals’ and ultimately bids for the Discovery.
The reserve was met and the Land Rover sold for a price that I was happy with (just on the reserve). Both the buyer and myself had anticipated that it might fetch £500 - £1000
Wmore, but I guess the market price for such a car was arrived at. Inevitably, the buyer – a very kind Land Rover-loving retired gentleman called Dave – was from England (Yorkshire) and I had included the offer of delivery, at cost, across the Irish Sea. So my last journey in the clean and shiny Discovery 2 was across on the Belfast to Liverpool ferry and onwards along the M56 to our agreed rendezvous. Dave arrived in a Discovery 3 driven by his wife, and my pride and joy was handed over to its new owner. I was sad to watch it drive off – just as the eclipse of the sun was happening – but also pleased that the Discovery was going to good people.
What now? I am not going to be without a comfortable Land Rover 4x4 to complement my trusty Defender 90 and I have got to thinking that the L322 Range Rover is getting within reach of guys like me. A 11-year-old Range Rover for a little over £6K, that left the showroom in 2004 for just shy of £60K? Now that is an attractive proposition.