Wanted: Ferret? but can settle for an M38A1

[Sam Assad]

Hi all,

Am new here and i just joined yesterday; guided here by two people ive met while looking for an M38A1..

Am currently interested in buying any kind of medium to small sized project; Ferret comes to mind and of course the M38A1. Ive restored a Land Rover series IIa before..

Currently i am offered two Ferrets, one in the US with a 20,000 price tag and another for 6000 and needing tons of repair..

If any body has any ideas or something to offer please dont hesitate as i intend to have something in my garage by Christmas.

I live in Kanata and looking for like minded people :-)

thanks

Sam Assad

[Grant Hopkins]

Welcome Sam. I've owned a Ferret and a couple M38A1 among many other things and I would say the Ferret is a significant step in maintenance and drive-ability away from a Rover or a Jeep. If you were dead set on the Ferret I'd go with the restored one as the $6000 machine is likely hiding 5x as many problems as the ones you can see. I had a lot of fun driving around in mine, but it's just not as convenient as the 38A1, the jeep is quicker and more responsive and far more portable. If you are going to drive it a lot be prepared to stop at a gas station every second trip with the Ferret. I see a couple 38A1 on kijiji in Ontario right now, have you gone to check them out yet?

[Sam Assad]

Hi and thanks for your reply,
The reason why i want to buy a Ferret is that it will provide me with endless fun; am not an extreme user so speed or anything is not a factor, gas price is not a factor either..
That said i am looking for something that i can buy in Canada to avoid shipping hassles..
There is one in the US now running for 15,900$ US and another pristine one in Holland for 13,500 Euros. But i have no clue how to import and whether i can or cannot.. So am looking locally..

As for the M38a1 its my alternative, so if i fail with the Ferret ill get a Jeep.

I want to finish up before the holidays to be able to spend sometime in the garage.. Any help or recommendations or contacts is most welcomed.
thanks

[chris vickery]

Sam
check your private messages
Chris

[Sam Assad]

Hi Chris,

No PM received, can you check pls..

[chris vickery]

BTW, glad you made it here!
Welcome

[BCA]

Sam: Check your PM regarding a ferret.. Brian

[Sam Assad]

Thanks Chris and Brian,
am reacting to your messages now..
all my best

[Sam Assad]

Here is a quick update;

A lead in UK has one with partial parts; requires work; 10,000$
The US one at around 18,000$ is overpriced
A perfect one in ON but price is not right
The one out North at 6000$ needs 2-3 years of commitment
Amazing perfect one in holland at 15,000$

And the search goes on to have one before the holidays.. :-)

Thanks for all who helped + helping

[Robert Bergeron]

Sam,

Good luck.

Cheers.

[20387774]

Sam-check ebay, there's a couple of ferrets on there. I know one is in Canada.

[cletrac (RIP)]

ebay ferret in Canada
ebay Ferret in USA
Ferret in Sherwood Park Alberta $4000 bid and 19 hours left

[Sam Assad]

there is also this one..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ferret-MK-1-...m=272037758085

[Sam Assad]

Guys
Any ideas how much would the below cost for a Ferret on average ?

items needing attention are, the fuel pump, tires, and brakes, turret

Many thanks

[Michael R.]

Sam, you asked, so here is some brotherly suggestions that you can refer to years down the road:
If I knew prior to acquiring one what I learned after owning a ferret, I would have been more cautious of becoming an owner. I was fortunate that the seller was known, gave full disclosure, and a exceptionally reasonable buy in price.

I would not consider a ferret without a complete independent appraisal and long distance road test by a specialist. Buyer beware. Take your time and explore all your options before you jump in. With the right acquisition, you will have a great time!

A ferret running on a external fuel supply suggests the need to re/re the fuel tank as well as the pump. That will be thousands of dollars. To suggest you are going to modify or replace a turret may not be good advice. I challenge the suggestion this would be a simple task. Price the correct tires here in Canada to prevent sticker shock. Brakes? Huh? You have not even scratched the surface.

There is much to be said for going with a jeep. Even so, a quality jeep appraisal will save you thousands.

[Sam Assad]

Many thanks for your input Michael, I do realize that I am in for a grand project and I am somehow enjoying the idea..
Of course a jeep is the easy task, rebuilding my Land Rover was pure joy..
Wish me luck.

[Michael R.]

I wish you luck.
It appears you have your mind made up, full steam ahead.

[Sam Assad]

Well am thinking I can afford one now; so why keep it as an idea?
I also need to get myself distracted :-)

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by Sam Assad

Well am thinking I can afford one now; so why keep it as an idea?
I also need to get myself distracted :-)

Why keep it as an idea? I know the thought, I can assure you. Fill your boots!

[chris vickery]

My advice, buy the best you can afford. In the end it will save you a lot of grief, a lot of money and will likely be cheaper than a full out restoration. Unless you like that kind of thing...

[Michael R.]

There are members of MLU with extensive knowledge of ferrets; I am not one of them. One MLU member has owned more than fifty ferrets.

Buying the 'best' ferret one can afford may overlook critical failure prone and difficult to acquire spares particular or specific to the ferret. Attactive paint scheme vs bevel box updates? Being in Canada, the requirement to import those spares from the UK can be a learning experience in export controls, currency exchange, shipping costs and availability.

I am done. Time to get off the podium.

[chris vickery]

Michael
I was certainly not critiquing your advice regarding a sound evaluation by one of many experts by no means. I was simply pointing out the obvious, in that many novice MV enthusiasts fall into the trap of, which is, "I'll buy it, it's cheap and I can fix it up..."
Spending a few more dollars on a solid vehicle can be the difference between a nightmare and a decent enjoyable vehicle.
I see this all the time when guys buy something because it runs while the body is ready to fall off. One has to be knowledgeable enough to decipher what matters and what doesn't when making a purchase. As an example, give me a Jeep with a pristine body and a crapped out drive line. I would take that all day long over something that runs with junk bodywork...Or, in the case of a ferret, excellent mechanicals and a rusty scally hull with a flaking paint job vs the fancy paintwork atop a crapped out drive line.
I think we have all fallen prey to this at one point or another.

[Michael R.]

Yes Chris, I agree with you.
Sandblast and paint a hull any day over rebuilding a ferret Rolls Royce power pack with PSG.

[Sam Assad]

I kind of agree, while I can fix any faulty or rusty body part, I will be relying on others to fix engine or transmission failures. Simply not my capability. That being said and while I appreciate Chris's comments, I still haven't found that pristine vehicle that I would consider. The best one on offer in ON which I was offered on this forum looks great but is still lacking in many ways and is offered for the top dollar. To buy it the price has to be negotiated.
A vehicle found in holland for example is offered at much much less and is in 'completion, class.
I think I am avoiding a junk project and a top dollar approach and am going for the fix this fix that type of vehicle. It's not the money, it's the idea..

[Sam Assad]

The Alberta Ferret on eBay just sold for 16,000$+ and received two bids..
From my digging whomever won it is up for a lot of work and love...
Good luck to the winner

[Sam Assad]

Look at this beauty and its immaculate condition;
pity its in Germany.. price is close to 20k$

http://www.ebay.de/itm/391320678210?...84.m1558.l2648

[Marc van Aalderen]

Hi Sam,

It is located in Poland. Even better as in Germany it would have had plates cut out of the hull and plated over with sheet metal as part of the demilitarisation process!

Cheers,

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Australia has Ferrets as well, for some reason they just never seemed very popular .(not my view though). Price is in Aust. Dollars, so that would be in your favour as well
Rich.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1957-Daim...IAAOSwAYtWQl4c

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/army-Daim...UAAOSwT5tWPsPO

[Sam Assad]

Nice! Pity they are not in Canada though!
My search continues

[Jon Bradshaw]

I own a good looking, running (most of the time) Ferret myself. The one that just sold in AB for 16K, I took a look at it. I was local and I did a good crawl around in it. Fuel pump is bad and it has a few cosmetic issues, bins are solid and though the batteries were out the day I stopped by, it is "supposed" to run. I give it a 6 or 7 out of 10 for completeness. The other wreck out here for 6K is still for sale off Ebay. I have talked to the owner. It is a big project, but as a starter it may be a good price. Engine is not advertised as a runner, may be easy to fix, or may need to be pulled and rebuilt. Buyers must be careful, nothing is easy on a ferret. I would be willing to have a crawl around in the "wreck" for anyone interested in buying it. I might just go have a look just because.....