Ok guys and gals...since my 1983 Troopy is now registered and titled, I'll come clean with where/how I got it...
I know that Vintage Off Road conjures up mostly bad feelings here, so I hope that ya'll will understand that I'm posting this for additional information on how to get a troopy; my personal experiences and thoughts. Everyone needs to do their own due dilligence and check out every cruiser they may buy....caveat emptor.
That being said, try to keep the flaming to a minimum...that's not what I am hoping this thread will turn into.
Some folks know that Greg Mushro, owner of Vintage Off Road, has a shop in Flagstaff, Arizona where he ships/buys/and works on Land Cruisers. I happen to have a double whammy to my wallet because my BMW motorcycle mechanic is next door...two of my passions together conspiring to reduce all available cash flow....
This particular Troopy came in to the Port of Long Beach, and then was shipped to Arizona on a flatbed. I happened to be at my BMW mechanics' place when it was being unloaded. For a month or so, I got to kinda check it out off and on, and was interested in the fact that it had not been touched or otherwise molested.
I happened to have a 1968 BMW R60US that I knew Greg liked, and worked a trade for the Troopy in October. I used Greg's contact with a title company in Maine to have the registration completed in that State. (Cost was $300.00) Getting the US registration was worth the extra cost to me.... It took a couple of months, but came as Greg had indicated. I took care of the Arizona title/registration myself.
Now, Greg was always straight forward with me, easy to contact by email, and I ended up with a great Troopy for a cost which I consider to be very reasonable, given the going prices for these rigs. I did not want one that had been "restored" in any way...because I wanted to go through it myself to my specifications.
I would have no qualms about dealing with Greg again.
That being said, many of us here are more knowledgeable about what Land Cruisers are, and the market for them, than the average consumer, and I can see how paying top dollar for a rig you don't know much about, and haven't seen before can be problematic for many. I know from other's posts that there have been some issues with folks not getting what they thought from Vintage. Personally, I wouldn't purchase any Cruiser without the ability to check it out....and I even had several close friends crawl all over this rig with me before doing the deal (Thanks MoGas and BMT!).
As with any dealer in these grey market rigs (or other Cruisers), educate yourself as to the purchase, and if it's not something you feel 100% comfortable with...don't do it! There are plenty of other Cruisers around.
I hope that helps some folks with their search. There were some leaps of faith I had to take with this one, but it was overall a very good experience, and I've got a great, unique platform for my next expedition build.
Cheers,
-H-
I know that Vintage Off Road conjures up mostly bad feelings here, so I hope that ya'll will understand that I'm posting this for additional information on how to get a troopy; my personal experiences and thoughts. Everyone needs to do their own due dilligence and check out every cruiser they may buy....caveat emptor.
That being said, try to keep the flaming to a minimum...that's not what I am hoping this thread will turn into.
Some folks know that Greg Mushro, owner of Vintage Off Road, has a shop in Flagstaff, Arizona where he ships/buys/and works on Land Cruisers. I happen to have a double whammy to my wallet because my BMW motorcycle mechanic is next door...two of my passions together conspiring to reduce all available cash flow....
This particular Troopy came in to the Port of Long Beach, and then was shipped to Arizona on a flatbed. I happened to be at my BMW mechanics' place when it was being unloaded. For a month or so, I got to kinda check it out off and on, and was interested in the fact that it had not been touched or otherwise molested.
I happened to have a 1968 BMW R60US that I knew Greg liked, and worked a trade for the Troopy in October. I used Greg's contact with a title company in Maine to have the registration completed in that State. (Cost was $300.00) Getting the US registration was worth the extra cost to me.... It took a couple of months, but came as Greg had indicated. I took care of the Arizona title/registration myself.
Now, Greg was always straight forward with me, easy to contact by email, and I ended up with a great Troopy for a cost which I consider to be very reasonable, given the going prices for these rigs. I did not want one that had been "restored" in any way...because I wanted to go through it myself to my specifications.
I would have no qualms about dealing with Greg again.
That being said, many of us here are more knowledgeable about what Land Cruisers are, and the market for them, than the average consumer, and I can see how paying top dollar for a rig you don't know much about, and haven't seen before can be problematic for many. I know from other's posts that there have been some issues with folks not getting what they thought from Vintage. Personally, I wouldn't purchase any Cruiser without the ability to check it out....and I even had several close friends crawl all over this rig with me before doing the deal (Thanks MoGas and BMT!).
As with any dealer in these grey market rigs (or other Cruisers), educate yourself as to the purchase, and if it's not something you feel 100% comfortable with...don't do it! There are plenty of other Cruisers around.
I hope that helps some folks with their search. There were some leaps of faith I had to take with this one, but it was overall a very good experience, and I've got a great, unique platform for my next expedition build.
Cheers,
-H-
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Either way, glad to hear you made out well.