After writing in Land Rover World, last month: ‘Tucked behind a barn, was a 1952, 80 inch. It looked as though it could have been there for about 20 years. I resisted asking the farmer as to whether it was for sale or not. I have a weakness for such things and really, really, don’t need any more.’ And here it is, safely tucked up in Jo’s garage. It’s the male equivalent of buying a new pair of designer shoes. Illogical, but irresistible and I know I’m preaching to the converted. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it yet, but the signs are good. Yesterday I managed to get the engine to turn over, first on the starting handle, then on the starter motor. There was a spark, but the petrol had been in there for ten years, so ignition was not forthcoming. Lovely patina though, eh?
11 comments:
Aaah....Mr Savage, I know what went on in your mind, you old romantic you. His and her Land Rovers. One for you, one for the lovely Jo. So much more sophisticated than a windscreen sun-strip with 'Jo and Tobe' on it....
Ahhh, Camilla, I bet you've found a few treasures of your own round the back of a farmer's barn.
What a lovely, lovely thing. I think the £100 you've earmarked for its restoration should be more than enough. What could possibly go wrong?
Wish it was mine. Sigh.
I am gnashing what teeth I have left. Tess of the d'Urbervilles is trying to pacify me by searching all the barns and sheds in a thirty mile radius of Ashley Towers. But The Equals have just come on the wireless so everything's alright for a bit.
The beauty here is that we all realy must wake up to the fact that there's plenty where that came from - how many times do we have to ooh and aah, can't be many left, etc - there's more than enough junk to satisfy everybody so don't let's panic buy. Fortunately the Diplo yard seems to be squiggy around the edges and can accomodate more scrap than I know what to do with - I urge you all to hold back on the junk buying until I've trickled some more of my gems out onto the market - you never know your luck - ooh and we sell patina in 45 gallon drums if you want a bit more....
Damn and blast! You've may just have revealed the secret of eternal cash. For many years now I have been buying up decaying items which are so liberally and thoughtfully scattered around the countryside establishing my own futures market in such dross. My plan was to drip-feed this junk into a clamouring and buoyant market as and when I needed the price of a pint of beer. There are problems however and I have as yet to find a niche market for a terminally rusty wheelbarrow (sans wheel) and without rubber grips on the handles. I am expecting a turn-around hourly though as the market for bright new shiny things becomes ever more depressed, thus leaving the way clear for 'rural bygones' marketeers.
Jon, you're so right. Ebay is far too up-market I reckon. Go to my soon-to-be-built website: www.useitoverandoveragainand
paypeanuts.com and you'll find all sorts of useful links to sites for everything from things at the back of the cupboard with a plug on them, (www.mostlytoasters.com) to completely knackered garden implements (www.tiredtestedslung.co.uk). I feel the half-sucked Polo mint market is limited (www.half_suckedPoloMint.org) but what do I know?
In no time at all you'll be able to shift all your redundant gear. I anticipate bidding to be in the low pennies but this is clearly the way forward. I shall make tiny margins on a vast turnover and become wildly rich. What could possibly go wrong?
Jon, there are people in my village who'd snap your arm off now for that wheelbarrow, just to get to work on.
Fred and Peter, my mood has been lightened by your encouraging comments. Why, only last night plans were put in place to shift some of the more esoteric items in my collection via www.skinontopofalmostemptypainttins.com and www.ladderedtightsandoldfish.net(s) and once I've paid some young smart-arsed young designer fellow a few thousand quid to come up with a Virol (there are several half-finished jars of this lying around) marketing campaign...the dosh should come rolling in. Good news! the wheelbarrow has become a piece of installation art entitled 'Whither Rural Transport' - I'm so pleased, all is sunshine and roses once more.
E-bay and e-Diplo.com may well quake at your plans to dominate the (ahem) 'pre-loved' market...but beware of British Waterways. I have just returned from a trip up the Huddersfield Narrow (to be blogged later this week)and I can tell you that their barges are still accumulating collectables at a goodly rate. Admittedly not Land Rover sized, but there was a fine Honda MT50 ripe for restoration, and some excellent ASDA shopping trollies available. But the real bonus is for potential collectors of Evian plasic bottles......
Toby still panel beating I see have you advanced to TR2 yet!!!
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