Hey folks,
By my login ID you can see I'm new to this obsession/ chemical imbalance. Just beginning my research/search for a 77 through 84 40. There is just something about an FJ 40 that is cool. Maybe it is the No bullsh*t utilitarian look. Maybe it is the anti-establishment against the trend of spending obscene amounts of money for a Jeep (no offense to those enthusiasts, of course) I digressed.
From what I've learned already is that the vast majority of them are coming in from Central and South America, a lot having an off body restoration (some appear to be good some not so much). I get that, there are lots of them down there an less up here. (Laws of supply and demand and the free market). I'm sure there are "purists" that would only get a U.S. model.
Anyhow, I see a number of the for sale postings state something like "5,000 miles since overhaul...." or "drove it for two years...." What gives? I'm sure you've all seen those ads. Is there a racket/ investment gig out there that someone imports a restored 40 or 43 drives it for a few years and flips it. Is there some huge tax benefit?? Or does the "fun" of driving a 40 wear off and they want to sell it? Or is that just the BS line that the salesman puts on the ad? Can someone please shed some light on why so many restored 40's and 43's from South and Central America are owned for a couple of years and get sold?
Let me state up front I would never buy a vehicle from photos. Some of the off body restorations look pretty damn good but looks scan be deceiving. I would either hire someone to go look at it and/or go there myself (and still get a local mechanic/ knowledgeable FJ enthusiast to look at the engine drive train). The Buyers guide on this site is an excellent source. Living in Nashville means I can be a large number of places in 10 hours or less. I am willing to buy one restored from south of the border but still need to educate myself some more. I, like most, cannot afford an FJ CO restoration (but my god they do amazing work.)
Can someone please shed some light?
Cheers!
By my login ID you can see I'm new to this obsession/ chemical imbalance. Just beginning my research/search for a 77 through 84 40. There is just something about an FJ 40 that is cool. Maybe it is the No bullsh*t utilitarian look. Maybe it is the anti-establishment against the trend of spending obscene amounts of money for a Jeep (no offense to those enthusiasts, of course) I digressed.
From what I've learned already is that the vast majority of them are coming in from Central and South America, a lot having an off body restoration (some appear to be good some not so much). I get that, there are lots of them down there an less up here. (Laws of supply and demand and the free market). I'm sure there are "purists" that would only get a U.S. model.
Anyhow, I see a number of the for sale postings state something like "5,000 miles since overhaul...." or "drove it for two years...." What gives? I'm sure you've all seen those ads. Is there a racket/ investment gig out there that someone imports a restored 40 or 43 drives it for a few years and flips it. Is there some huge tax benefit?? Or does the "fun" of driving a 40 wear off and they want to sell it? Or is that just the BS line that the salesman puts on the ad? Can someone please shed some light on why so many restored 40's and 43's from South and Central America are owned for a couple of years and get sold?
Let me state up front I would never buy a vehicle from photos. Some of the off body restorations look pretty damn good but looks scan be deceiving. I would either hire someone to go look at it and/or go there myself (and still get a local mechanic/ knowledgeable FJ enthusiast to look at the engine drive train). The Buyers guide on this site is an excellent source. Living in Nashville means I can be a large number of places in 10 hours or less. I am willing to buy one restored from south of the border but still need to educate myself some more. I, like most, cannot afford an FJ CO restoration (but my god they do amazing work.)
Can someone please shed some light?
Cheers!