It’s like standing atop a high cliff. You’re either going to make a smooth dive into the water below, or bounce off the rocks on the way down. These rocks are labeled for your convenience. They say “Head Gasket”, “Wiring”, “Cooling System”, and there are many more rocks to go before you splash down.
I can’t stop thinking about everything that could go wrong. But I can’t stop thinking about how right this one might be too. This is the project car dilemma, and it’s in full swing in my brain right now.
While I was away on a vehicle launch trip the past week, I began chatting with a colleague. She’s raced off road for decades now and has friends all over the world. One of her friends happens to live in Northern California, and that friend happens to own an old Range Rover that she’s looking to get rid of.
What are we dealing with here?
It’s a rare Range Rover Classic Hunter Edition, and it belonged to her son. This son passed away and the truck has been mostly sitting. The valve cover gasket is leaking oil. The power steering hoses need attention. This is an old Rover, so it’s likely the suspension needs an eyeball too. The mileage is high as well.
But the truck is clean. Minus two minor dents, but all project cars have bruises.
I’ve always loved the old-school style of the Range Rover classic. And now I have the chance to scoop one up for potentially very short money. Sure, I need to then figure out how to tow it home from its current location nearly 450 miles north of here.
I can’t get this one out of my head though, even if there are plenty of reasons why I should. Is this a fool’s errand? Am I biting off way more than I can hope to chew? Or is it time to get greasy and embrace a real deal project car… a classic British vehicle that may be eager to have me love it and hate it at every turn.
I’m torn here. But I’m also working on the logistics of bringing this one home. Stay tuned.
Leave a Reply