Quote from: Bigdog on Yesterday at 07:37 PMWhy are 109 series not as popular or desirable as the 88 series

For the same reason that some people like Brussels sprouts while others prefer spinach.
.W.

Only ever had one petrol station object to the door being open. They actually wouldn't turn the pump on and when I went inside to explain they came out to look at the vehicle, once they saw the tank was indeed under the seat they were happy.

Their reason was they get people driving off without paying for fuel and the scroats that do so like to leave the driver door open so they can make a quicker getaway.

I've owned two 109s, a S3 Stage One and the present S2a, but I've recently test driven two (S3) 88s, the one really good, the other one extremely good. But I still prefer the 109, for shear practicality and the less bumpy drive. I've never had the impression my 109 was less of a classic than an 88. I visited two Land Rover gatherings recently and nobody came up to me and said: "That's a nice 109 you got there, shame it's not an 88". Reading this thread made me aware of the fact that some see something of a class difference?

I try very hard not to be too bothered by what others think. With limited success. But I think human beings have a need for acknowledgement, appreciation, recognition from others for who they are, how they are, for the choices they make, be that the decision to turn away from God, marry someone of the same sex, vote Lib Dem, hate overhopped beer, or drive a 109. So I don't think it's strange people are swayed by what others say or think. (You could fill several libraries on this subject, but I'll stop here )

Richard

88 makes a better car, 109 makes a better van. Probably more people want a car than a van.

But wouldn't let it bother you - said as someone that has a FC and an ambulance- probably the 2 least desirable variants but I'm happy as they are what I wanted

You must be strong to carry 5 litres any distance unless it's not very far. I once had to carry a 5 litre can about a mile and a half from the petrol station back to a car which had run out and my arms were nearly dropping off.

Then to compound my misery I had to use a pen in the filler neck to get past the anti symphony flaps and it got lost in the tank !

Another vote for the 109" for all of the above reasons plus you can kip in the back full stretch provided your 6' or under.

Shall we be blunt? Many of you won't like these words because what's said is true of the bulk of owners.

You'll see far more LWB Ford Transit/ Merc Sprinters - this over the SWB variants.

In all respects except turning-circle and parking/storing -  a 109 is superior.
The 109 was never the rare one, the 109 sold in equal or larger numbers.
We should see both 88 and 109. Yet, 88s are the survivors. How so?

Sadly, "It's the tool for the job' and a 'workhorse' - with variations on the same - prevail. Precisely because that's what today's Series LR clearly isn't.

It's broadly about vanity. Today's standard owner does not have the mindset of the first owner. He's a poseur. Pondering the 'correct' wiper-blade arm for 1962 is the end-game. Evidence the very 'being' of  the weekly tyre-thread. Tyres are replaced because they're old, not because they're worn out. When you don't go anywhere. 'Tyre-thread Nigel' exposes reality.  Of course there are exceptions amongst us, some of us will have 8000+ miles this year to show, yet we are few.

No one calls today's Ford Transit/ Merc Sprinter a 'workhorse' because they don't use it; do a firewood &/or tip-run once in a blue. That'd be ridiculous, yet no one laughs when that's said on here.  Ford Transit/ Merc Sprinter owners run the LWB because they are not faking.

Yet, in 50 years time I suspect any Ford Transit/ Merc Sprinter survivors will be the rarer SWB.

Market-gardeners, our 109 has been in the family since new. If today's Series owner was the original owner, the stats would show different survival rates. In short, the reason to own a Series LR has changed - this whilst pretending it hasn't. The results favour the 88.

Hi,

 
If you want a rare SWB, seek out an 81"!

I believe they made 200 ... half with a Rover Engine, half with the Rolls Royce engine from the Champ ... for Army "suitability" trials ... interchangeability of spares, etc.

I can't remember why they decided they didn't want the Champ. 

602 (Who contrived to squeeze a BMC 2.2TD into a Champ ... about 50 years ago ... and found it was cheaper to run than Barbara's Hillman Imp, but only because diesel cost a lot less than petrol per gallon)

You could probably get the most money by disassembling it and selling the gauges separately. I believe those early style fuel and amp gauges are rather rare if functional.

To paraphrase Ringo Starr:
88s are more popular because more people like them 🤔

Simples.