LC 78 - 1HZ - Rowlands and Hordon

[benoverland]

Hello all,

I also put this in the 'introduce yourself' section as I'm new to the club. I've driven a few overland trips and am now in the market to purchase a new LC 78 for a planned Africa trip. I want new (no buying other people's problems), I want LHD, since parts of West Africa can be problematic at the border with the RHD and avoiding 'presents' at checkpoints is easier the fewer excuses you need to offer, and I want UK registered, since it's just easier all round from an insurance, carnet, why are you on a British passport and your car is registered in X, point of view.

All roads seem to point to Rowlands and Hordon. But, I would appreciate any views that you expert folks have. Good, bad, indifferent - or even 'my goodness you are an idiot why don't you buy a 20 years old Defender with blacked out windows'.

Keen to hear any views - thanks ever so much.

Ben

 

[CruiserScot]

They are the only people to buy from. They have imported loads of 70's. You could try Cult Commercials as a comparison, if you want a choice, but I haven't delt with them

 

[Gr8Yota]

If you want a 1HZ I don’t think you’ll get a new one for registration in Europe as it would have to pass current emissions standards. Your only options would be buy and register in Africa or buy one 10yrs +old

 

[The_Papa_Neil]

I bought a brand new HZJ78 via Travis at Rowlands & Horden. Ordered mid October 2023 (from Toyota Japan). Shipped to U.K. - arrived end November. Travis arranged IVA on 20/01/24. He then sorted out the registration with DVLA - log book arrived 12/02/24 and I collected the vehicle on 15/02/2024.

To confirm, this brand new 1HZ sailed through the IVA with minimum fuss. I believe all that was required was to swap out headlights for RHD units and fit a fog light.

For clarity this is a LHD vehicle so there are some exemptions to emission rules. The vehicle is currently ULEZ exempt. I am based in U.K.

On another thread someone commented that I will have problems when the MOT falls due, however Travis has assured me that this is not the case. West Coast have agreed with Travis on this. I guess time will tell.

I did not set out to by a new vehicle however I did want a LHD 1HZ & used ones appear to be as rare as hens teeth and, as such, have strong residuals. Therefore when the opportunity arose to be a brand new vehicle I took it.

Based on my experience I would not hesitate to recommend Travis. At each stage of the process he did what he said he would do, when he said he would do it. On several occasions I expressed concerns having read on various forums that it would not be possible to import a new 1HZ. Travis was endlessly patient and good humoured in providing reassurance that all would be well - and was proved correct.

 

[GeekOKent]

What sort of things were raised as problem areas at time of MOT ?

 

[The_Papa_Neil]

The comment was “what happens in year three when the emissions expectation at the MOT expects emissions values in line with Euro 6d?”

I haven’t got round to speaking about this to my local MOT chap, but I’ll be seeing him shortly so will feed back his comments.

 

[GeekOKent]

Not sure who is making up stuff like this. Pre Euro engines seem to pass the MOT fine today. The implications are on tax surely.

 

[Gr8Yota]

That’s great news. Still don’t understand that a 1HZ meets Euro 6 (my V5 show emisions std requirement being that of yr of reg)

Glad it does!

Do you have the face lift 24 model?

 

[GeekOKent]

Does being an import have an implication on emission requirements?

 

[Gr8Yota]

No, but a LHD is much easier to get through IVA as they don’t seem to want it to be EU compliant. The IVA testers failed mine on first IVA because they conducted the emissions test incorrectly (by their written criteria) by testing a stone cold engine. It passed on the second present as I drove it to the test station (without number plates!)

 

[The_Papa_Neil]

That’s great news. Still don’t understand that a 1HZ meets Euro 6 (my V5 show emisions std requirement being that of yr of reg)

Glad it does!

Do you have the face lift 24 model?

No I have the previous model which was introduced to accommodate the V8 Diesel.

 

[Phil01]

+1 for Travis. He’s been extremely helpful in previous dealings.