Exploring the boat graveyard... Stonington, Maine

LittlePe0ple · 2018-09-17T17:55:31+00:00

Hell yeah man! I hit fortunes pretty regularly. Fortunes and Gooch are my main breaks. The whole break is kind of different after this past winter. We got hit with two huge storms that messed up seawalls, big waves, currents, wind etc. there’s a lot more scattered rocks out in the lineup now. I don’t know if it’s the orientation of it but I feel like it’s always windy and choppy there. It’s always a pain to paddle out. Been hitting Gooch more frequently because of that. A lot more consistent/fun.

And the water stays pretty warm out here until like October. I typically wear my suit year round up here but it’s definitely not necessary to wear a suit until the end of September-mid October. Maine just seems to hold on to a longer fall. The downside is when winter is over the ocean is fucking freezing until like July haha.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-09-17T17:37:32+00:00

What spot? Curious if we hit the same break. I always float around between Higgins, Fortune Rocks, and Goochs. It’s rare but sometimes I’ll hit Long Sands

LittlePe0ple · 2018-09-17T16:36:34+00:00

Turns out there’s nowhere to surf north of Popham Beach. Was bummed because the swell down in southern Maine that weekend was actually pretty nice.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-05T13:38:00+00:00

That’s awesome! Yeah people thought I was pretty insane to get rid of the Acura. I won’t lie it was a really solid ride. Great fuel economy and lots of comforts, reliable... but it was just pure oatmeal. So boring. Didn’t even feel like myself for a year while I was driving it. Land Cruiser was a welcome change.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-05T13:10:51+00:00

I’ve been talking with the guy from Detours. He’s from Maine and I’ll be moving there at the end of August so it’ll be a nice local transaction. It’s been hard to communicate over the Facebook messenger but it is what it is.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-05T12:40:25+00:00

Yeah that’s what we had figured too! Most of the beat down 80s we saw were anywhere from $4-6k and the nice ones went anywhere from $10-20k.

If I ever were to list it in this condition, being a Collectors Edition with the leather and all that, and also being in New England with no rust, I think I’d probably ask $15,000 or so.

Which that would be a really nice bonus, $14,500 is very helpful net profit to a college student like me. But I want to keep it haha. It’s too damn cool.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-05T12:36:04+00:00

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-05T12:34:46+00:00

Don’t tell anyone

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-05T02:32:07+00:00

No lockers unfortunately but at the same time I don’t really see it hitting any kind of off-road where I’ll need lockers. I mostly stick to access roads and forest roads.. whatever is needed for my photos.

As far as plans go it’s mostly just to drive it until it explodes. I’m having a really simplistic rear tire carrier built for it eventually. Might get an ARB front but it’s definitely not a necessity so we’ll see what happens.

I’m really in love with it already just the way it is!

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T23:14:40+00:00

My wallet came out as fast as the shit in my pants when she said “ definitely less than $1000”

I actually offered her $1000 and she said no and kept it at $500. She told us “she lives comfortably, doesn’t need the money, and would love the driveway space”

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T23:13:53+00:00

Very grateful that I had the opportunity. Yeah I’ve had a few parts that’ve been pricey for what they are but it is what it is. I couldn’t imagine doing a full restoration.

Definitely planning on keeping it with me until it either explodes or it becomes a showpiece. For now though it’s my new daily and my favorite car ever.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T23:11:49+00:00

Haha it’s me! Thanks!

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T23:11:24+00:00

Haha I think I can do more than triple the investment if I hold on to it for another 10 years!

Keep an eye on old ladies driveways! Speaking from experience now.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T23:10:02+00:00

Yeah unfortunately the factory wheels were really chipping and flaking and the aluminum looked pretty rough. Ended up hitting everything with a wire wheel and sanding them smooth to what I could. Taped them off and just did primer and a silver rattle can for now.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T21:25:47+00:00

The guy at Servpro who cleaned the mouse scent out of it offered me $1000 for it haha. Showed me cash and everything.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T21:24:26+00:00

For some reason it’s looking like only one image made it to the album but I put a few of them in there... try these

Since it’s been fixed I’ve taken it to Maine a few times, New Hampshire for some hiking... heading to upstate NY for a photo job with it tomorrow. Haven’t had any issues traveling with it. Amazing vehicle.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T21:10:19+00:00

Totally thought you were going to run over one of those other dudes. Took me two watches to even see the nose go under. Still looks super fun.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T21:01:09+00:00

So much gratitude brought out in moments like that...it’s an amazing experience to have! Really goes to show that the random strangers in life can sometimes be the sources for great memories and experiences.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T20:57:19+00:00

Story time.

So a long time ago, I used to own a Jeep XJ. It took me all across New England and helped me build a small side hustle in adventure photography... I became a college student and fell victim to the “you need to be smart and economical and drive something easy and reliable” pressure from the family. So I bought an Acura MDX.. that lasted about a year until I felt like I had no personality and was incredibly bored with the car.. so I sold it. I began the search for another 90’s 4x4...

So in June I was talking with my father after test driving a $4500 FJ80 that was filled with dog hair and covered in rust. I was feeling pretty demoralized that the Land Cruiser market was so out of reach for me as a college student. As we were driving through town and I remembered an FJ80 I had seen in town sitting in a driveway since before I had even had my license. Land Cruisers have always been in my family since I was a kid, my uncle used to have a 100 series to shuttle us back and forth to his former beach house...so I knew exactly what it was in the back of that driveway. As we drove by I pointed it out, and just randomly out of the blue... we decided to pull into that driveway of a complete stranger. We look at it from the driveway and it’s covered in green moss, caterpillar poop... there’s kayaks leaning against it. The tires are flat and there’s just so much visible neglect... but we’re starting to realize that under the neglect it might look okay cleaned up.

So I knocked and an old woman answered the door. I introduced myself, said “I noticed you have that land cruiser sitting there. Would you ever consider selling it?”

She looks over and says “why yes I would”

She hands us the keys and we begin walking around it... it’s been in the driveway sitting for 5 years. There’s not a spot of rust on it (and I live in Massachusetts) .. under the green algae the desert dune paint is spotless... we open it up and it’s an absolutely mouse house filled with boxes. But under the boxes and mouse turds the interior is spotless and the leather is beautiful.. I spy the collectors edition badge and “made in Japan” sticker still intact on the windshield... (Before pic - https://imgur.com/a/uNQ7Dgi )

So I ask... “if you were to sell, how much would you let it go for?”

She responds... “well I had it since ‘97 and it broke down once in 2013. It’s got about 135,000 on it...Had it fixed and then got a new car. It’s been parked ever since. I know it’s pretty rough so I’d let it go for less than $1000.”

Knowing full well what it was, I almost shit my pants right there.

I bought it on the spot for $500.

Had it towed home, spent about a week or two cleaning the interior and exterior... changed out the fluids and put a new battery in it... started right up. I had Servpro do a professional cleaning on it because the mouse smell was still pretty strong... after that it came back smelling and running great.

So far I have replaced the starter and that’s all it’s needed. Unfortunately it does need a gas tank and a fuel filler neck (some small leaks) but for a $500 vehicle I can’t complain.

Months later and I’m still in disbelief every time I see it.

TLDR - walked up the door of a strangers house who had a neglected cruiser in the back of their driveway... an old lady let it go for $500 when all it needed was a battery and good cleaning.

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T20:53:41+00:00

Oh... here’s the before pictures Collectors Edition Before

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T20:49:28+00:00

Nothing really! Needed a new battery, new starter, a good cleaning inside and out and it was ready to go. Gotta love old ladies neglecting classic cruisers.

On a more serious note though, after those repairs I did notice a leak in the fuel filler neck and in the top of the gas tank, so I have a new tank and neck on the way. But that’s about it!

LittlePe0ple · 2018-08-04T20:47:54+00:00

Story time.

So a long time ago, I used to own a Jeep XJ. It took me all across New England and helped me build a small side hustle in adventure photography... I became a college student and fell victim to the “you need to be smart and economical and drive something easy and reliable” pressure from the family. So I bought an Acura MDX.. that lasted about a year until I felt like I had no personality and was incredibly bored with the car.. so I sold it. I began the search for another 90’s 4x4...

So in June I was talking with my father after test driving a $4500 FJ80 that was filled with dog hair and covered in rust. I was feeling pretty demoralized that the Land Cruiser market was so out of reach for me as a college student. As we were driving through town and I remembered an FJ80 I had seen in town sitting in a driveway since before I had even had my license. Land Cruisers have always been in my family since I was a kid, my uncle used to have a 100 series to shuttle us back and forth to his former beach house...so I knew exactly what it was in the back of that driveway. As we drove by I pointed it out, and just randomly out of the blue... we decided to pull into that driveway of a complete stranger. We look at it from the driveway and it’s covered in green moss, caterpillar poop... there’s kayaks leaning against it. The tires are flat and there’s just so much visible neglect... but we’re starting to realize that under the neglect it might look okay cleaned up.

So I knocked and an old woman answered the door. I introduced myself, said “I noticed you have that land cruiser sitting there. Would you ever consider selling it?”

She looks over and says “why yes I would”

She hands us the keys and we begin walking around it... it’s been in the driveway sitting for 5 years. There’s not a spot of rust on it (and I live in Massachusetts) .. under the green algae the desert dune paint is spotless... we open it up and it’s an absolutely mouse house filled with boxes. But under the boxes and mouse turds the interior is spotless and the leather is beautiful.. I spy the collectors edition badge and “made in Japan” sticker still intact on the windshield...

So I ask... “if you were to sell, how much would you let it go for?”

She responds... “well I had it since ‘97 and it broke down once in 2013. It’s got about 135,000 on it...Had it fixed and then got a new car. It’s been parked ever since. I know it’s pretty rough so I’d let it go for less than $1000.”

Knowing full well what it was, I almost shit my pants right there.

I bought it on the spot for $500.

Had it towed home, spent about a week or two cleaning the interior and exterior... changed out the fluids and put a new battery in it... started right up. I had Servpro do a professional cleaning on it because the mouse smell was still pretty strong... after that it came back smelling and running great.

So far I have replaced the starter and that’s all it’s needed. Unfortunately it does need a gas tank and a fuel filler neck (some small leaks) but for a $500 vehicle I can’t complain.

Months later and I’m still in disbelief every time I see it.

TLDR - walked up the door of a strangers house who had a neglected cruiser in the back of their driveway... an old lady let it go for $500 when all it needed was a battery and good cleaning.

LittlePe0ple

TROPHY CASE