G'day Tona and Mike - Thanks heaps for a most interesting thread and information on your vehicles. 51-594 AKA 'Alcimedes' was purchased in WA at Welshpool auctions on the 17th of August last year. Could not get a copy of the log book - no matter what. The speedo had 49 km on it -wondered why? It can't be right!
This must mean something has been done to the vehicle, but what? - engine replacement or busted speedo or other problem? I rang up Grays and they were as helpful as they could be but could not commit to being specific - as you would expect, they are an auction house and not mechanics. Willing to help though and went out of their way to be helpful. What you don't see in the information advertised and is evident only when you get the vehicle home, is the tools in the rear compartments, the jack, the cloth covers on the sun visors, the clean condition of the rear step and inside the rear boxes which were in exceptional condition and looked like it was treated by someone who really cared for the vehicle like they owned it. There was dust and there were expended casings in the hard to get places but this added to the history and why I will keep the vehicle intact.
So not knowing any of this, - leap of faith - bought 51-594 for better or worse, richer or poorer etc. Got her home through the car transporters and picked her up in Melbourne at the transport depot. Running when handed over to me and left running, drives noisy, steering crap, and lots of little things to do. Driving home I found the ignition switch was faulty and when I turned the engine off, the vehicle would not start using the key. So the usual jump start worked and the batteries were okay after a hour and a half run. Stopped for a toilet break, yes - I realised I have to jump the starter motor, but when I tried the ignition key, she never faulted again! Can't explain why!
Roadworthy - next chapter. Indicator controls were a bit loose and sloppy - so new assembly fitted as I always have these spare. I had learned this lesson with 230-051 and 48-796 and these simple component swap outs are easy to do and fix a lot of intermittent problems. Took her into to Peter "They never get through on the first attempt" Roadworthy tester and Peter did his worse/best. I like the fact that he is very thorough and when he passes something or fails it there is good reason for it. 51-594 in spite of Peter's best efforts got through first time with the comment "Some one has spent a lot of time and money on this vehicle, universals are new, brakes, diffs, transfer case and under body is immaculate, can't even find the usual land rover anti corrosion automatic oil leaks operating" Bugger - I'll have to pass it!!!!!!!
Then to VicRoads - I think that when a vehicle is washed, cleaned and well presented it shows. There was the comment - "That seat in the back will have to go" but with a knowing smile and the obligatory inspection of the compliance plate - "well I have never seen that before" and 51-594 was registered with 3 seats. Professional, courteous and efficient.
The RFSV gear ratios, tyres and centre of gravity are very well balanced. We have done a few Grampians treks and 51-594 is also exceptional in the sand hills near where I live. Stock standard from the Army, with highway pressures, engaged the central diff and climbed every sand hill, flying past the rice burners and bleeps like nothing before. The vehicles have a capability that is exceptional. Slower on the road, smarter in the bush where it counts.
Thanks again for the information - I find this conversation very interesting, Frank