hey Walt,
Re-reading, and just saw this. Bummer of an experience, but thanks for sharing.
I'd been trying to make contact for years, and finally got him on the phone last week.
I blabbered on about looking for a home for my beloved, but made the mistake of saying I had some parts
waiting in an online cart..."Frankly, that's quite insulting" ...a chill ensued, and I beat a hasty retreat.
My sense is that he's brilliant, and moody, but can afford to be, what with all the LR soccer moms...

I've been to a few places now - Bayshore Diagnostics, a couple of decent shops in Jersey City, and for y'all in NNJ, should plug:
G&T Auto Imports - https://www.yelp.com/biz/g-and-t-aut...ts-jersey-city
Steve and Simon are LR lovers who go to off-road events, have great prices and know their stuff.
Still looking for that shade tree mechanic though - no shop will let me watch and learn, which is my priority.
PS; by Bronx indie, do you mean British Auto Works?

 

My bad. LOL! got mixed up with Vic in Garwood.