Restorations
What to Expect
Like any worthy classic vehicle, the 60 Series Landcruiser needs regular and reliable maintenance. We need to remember that the fabulous 60’s Landcruiser was manufactured in the 80-90’s and is suitable for both on and off the road… this means everything from rough terrain to bitumen.
If you are deciding to restore yours, you need to consider its history such as mileage served and under what conditions; for example, has it been sitting idle in a dusty corner of your shed for a while, or has it been parked in the open for the majority of its life?
Rust, wear and tear, with no regular maintenance are the enemy in terms of making sure your 60 series is in top running order. Rust is often not visible to the naked eye either – sometimes you have to look for it to make sure as much as possible is known before you begin.
Restoring your 60 Series can be costly: parts can be difficult to get. Experience has also shown me that once you touch a part to repair or replace it, this can also affect other worn or damaged mechanisms around it. This can mean increased cost in replacement parts and labour, so be prepared.
My trading name is a nod to their amazing ability to take you to the next location on your horizon.
Repairs and Partial Restorations
It is not always possible to take on completion of a full restoration in one process. I therefore offer the service of a staged restoration or repair if it is more financially realistic or you need the vehicle for regular use on the road.
I also offer servicing, general repairs and air conditioning installations and repair.
Our Process
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Basic Estimate
I commonly receive queries via social media, telephone or email asking for information and projected costs to repair/ restore the 60 Series Landcruiser. In acknowledgment that such a classic vehicle may have a checkered history in terms of maintenance and environment I can only give a basic approximate of costs at this stage.
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Vehicle Inspection
When the vehicle arrives at my workshop for a diagnostic appointment is an appropriate time to go over the vehicle in detail. A consultation with you, the customer is undertaken as part of that process. It’s also important to take the vehicle for a run, noting any anomalies to expected performance. I will also take photographic records of the status of the vehicle. This process is vital to understanding what needs to be done and minimising the risk of underlying problems. The vehicle inspection also needs to be conducted through the lense of the age and maintenance history of the vehicle. Checklists are not enough, so a thorough initial consultation and follow up as needed is necessary. A diagnostic estimate is then sent to you for consideration.
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Diagnostic Estimate
An accurate estimate will save time and prepare you for what you may come to expect. My usual approach is to provide a detailed diagnostic estimate, by area of the vehicle requiring restoration. This detail allows some room for unforeseen problems that may arise.
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Customer Authorisation
Upon receipt of my emailed diagnostic estimate, your acceptance is preferred by return email. We will then arrange a convenient time to book the work and estimate a schedule for completion and return of the vehicle.
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Work in Progress
You can expect constant communication about the work in progress and estimates of any additional restorative repairs as they are uncovered. Every effort will be made to maintain the expected schedule for completion of the work, however should additional repairs be uncovered this may require additional time.
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Completion
Once the restoration/ repair is completed, a thorough review of completed work, walk around and checklist are completed, including body panels and interiors. Your vehicle should be returned in the cleanest manner feasible after a final run.
A restoration is commonly complex in nature so it is also imperative that a post completion consultation, run and checklist is also completed before the vehicle is returned to you.