Barn Find 1966 Land Cruiser.... please help!

[Turbo74]

I am new to the board and would love a little advice! I found an old coke machine on craigslist and went to pick it up got to talking. He had an old car for sale he wanted to get rid of. Said he needs money and has to downsize. He takes me out to the shed and lifts up the gate and I see a very nice conditioned 1966 Land Cruiser. VERY little rust, paint is in great shape(looks to be a repaint), front grille and headlights were off it but he had those over to the side and they were also in great shape. Interior was very nice overall with what appear to be newer seats in place of the old ones. I took a few crappy cell phone pics that wont do it justice but overall it was a great looking cruiser. The only bad was the original motor was in it but he said something is wrong with it. He has an extra motor he's throwing in that is identical and working. His price to me, $2000 or best offer which to me seems like a STEAL. I know nothing about these though, only that I love the look and think it would be a blast for a weekend toy! What do you all think? Is that a fair price for this car and what should I do? Thanks for any help!

Pics:

 

[Rigger]

I believe I'd give $500 for it!

He must have put a 4 or 5 speed in it.

 

[Scott68FJ40]

Looks like it has had a few mods along the way, but sounds like a great deal.

 

[Turbo74]

Looks like it has had a few mods along the way, but sounds like a great deal.

What are the mods? I really dont know what im looking for? The shifter ball was original as it only showed it as a 3 speed... maybe the tranny is not however?

 

[Rigger]

That truck had a three speed column shifter. You can see the remnants of it in your pic.

 

[Scott68FJ40]

The three on the tree remnants were the first thing I noticed, but IMO that is not a bad thing. It was one of the first things I changed when I bought my 1968. There are a couple aftermarket gauges as well.

It really is a great looking rig, I would pick it up for 2K in a heartbeat.

 

[Rigger]

I wonder what the tub corners look like, and what's the deal with the brown front fender? There appear to be gages missing from the factory cluster.

I'm jealous, actually. I'd love to find another old '40 and get it at a good price. Last time I found one, I didn't really know what I was looking at, so I sort of fumbled it.

I love the old transfer case lever.

 

[066wally]

offer him 1500. and go from there. I'd give $2k for it in a heart beat just from what I see.

 

[bikersmurf]

Does it run?

If the motor won't run it's not as good a deal.

 

[bikersmurf]

Find the flaws and make an offer.

 

[Isaacjohnstar]

Agreed I'd want it to be close to running for that price. Offer $1200 and see what he'll do. If you are mechanically inclined then maybe it's worth $2000

 

[Scott68FJ40]

Agreed I'd want it to be close to running for that price. Offer $1200 and see what he'll do. If you are mechanically inclined then maybe it's worth $2000

Even not running, with a spare engine, $2000 is a steal. I would be more concerned about hidden rust than I would about getting the engine running.

 

[Matt16]

PLEEEEASE dont tell me he was thinking of defiling the front of the Cruiser with that hummer H2 grill strapped to the roof.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Why would you write "The only bad was the original motor was in it but he said something is wrong with it" ...you might want to rethink this comment, as there is a lot to be said about the older engines...especially now that people are getting into matching numbers and stuff. What is wrong with it? Can it be easily repaired? You have a matching engine, so that is a plus. Swap engines, and rebuild the original and drop it back in.

To answer your question, $2000 is a great price for what we see. The '66 is a good rig, and everyone talking about upgrades, (like switching to floor shifter from column shifter, and so on) are all a matter of personal preference. You will find many on MUD who still prefer, and covet the original column shifter, original F135 engine and so on...and I am talking about people who actually take these rigs on long drives and trails.

Tell you what...if you pass on it, please post up where you are from, and how we can get in touch with the seller, so someone here, who will appreciate a decent '66...that can either be easily returned to stock, or turned into a trail rig...(I would go back to stock), can go and buy it, and enjoy a classic Land Cruiser

Edit: I'm guessing you will be running over there today with cash in hand...nice rig...welcome to the sickness, and post up more pics when you get her home

 

[singletrackjunkie]

Show up with $1500 in cash and he may take it, if not I'd gladly pay $2k for what I see but if he throws that number out off the top of his head you can probably low ball him. x2 on what "my wife said no FJ" said

 

[crotalusatrox]

welcome "turbo",,,, appears to be a good deal.... just make sure to obtain both engines.

 

[equus]

is it just me or does the body and hood look like its been through some work? like its lost the curves... maybe its the color, not sure.. but 2000 dollars, and it running w/ a spare engine to boot is a good deal.. if its not running... hmmmm... maybe still an okay thing... either way, if you like the car, and it asks you to bring it home, then go for it and name her "Christine"... hehehehehehe...

 

[72RatCamaro]

If you don't want it tell me where it is and I will come get it.

 

[wichitakid]

I have a '66 and there are a number of differences between yours and mine, such as the later hard top on yours. None of this is a bad. My foremost concern would be the engines. If one or both are close to running, 1500-2000 sounds good to me. Or go lower and buy a running 2F engine somewhere else. That's what my PO did.

 

[dx379]

Kills me when people don't put their location in their profile

Jonny