Life Begins After 30 The Range Rover Classic

By Jeffrey B. Aronson

Age slips up to most of us, and the next thing you know, you’re a “classic.” It may be hard to believe, but the Range Rover has now delighted automotive enthusiasts since its unveiling 31 years ago. When Land Rover afficionados discuss “old Land Rovers,” they must now include Range Rovers, too. The Range Rover has been with us in much the same manner for three decades; even the “new” model in 1994 retained many of the engineering cues of the original. The original Range Rover, dubbed the “Classic,” took the Land Rover concept of “crossover vehicle” and made it more sophisticated. Whereas the Land Rover made itself into a station wagon by adding more seats to a utility vehicle, it First didn’t fool passengers one bit. The Range Rover Impressions combined luxury, performance, station wagon utility, and of course, off road capability, in a car that asked little compromise from its owners. Look at a photo of the Range Rover, the two- American 4 x 4’s included International Bruce McWilliams, reported he was white-knuckled door of its first decade. Marvel at the high green- Harvester Scouts, square utility vehicles with seats driving one. house, the castle corners of the hood line, the clever that rusted on contact with humidity. Ford Broncos Indeed, so few Americans desiring a station blackout of the rear pillars, the bold, rectangular resembled telephone booths and came with 3- wagon were captivated by the poky 109” with the creases in the flanks. Then, think back to the 70’s. If speeds on the steering column. Their independent 2.6 6-cylinder engine that Land Rover had pulled you need help, turn on a television with cable and front suspensions gave them interesting rides but them from the US market in 1967. Even in a patient take a gander at ’70’s programs. Remember the bad less capability off road, and inherently, they were England, the marketing boffins at Land Rover clothes? Well, those same men [yes, men back then] trucks. Jeep CJ’s had become bloated caricatures of begged for a new Land Rover station wagon. Coming designed automobiles. Feast your eyes on the corpu- their ancestors. The CJ-5 was entertaining but had on the heels of the very successful, very different Miracle in lent auto bodies and “go-faster” stripes. If you can too much power for an 80” wheelbase. It could Rover P6 [Rover 2000 in the US], Rover engineers New Jersey drive one, flex your muscles on the pinky-ring carry two in leaf-sprung comfort, and four people had a freer rein to envision a differently designed, power steering and listen to the wandering idle. only under duress. The Jeep Wagoneer had room more car-like yet equally capable Land Rover. [Robert Hoyd, Pohatcong Township, NJ, remembers Then accelerate to endless hesitation and soft and size, but also such frightening steering and soft Imagine Land Rover’s plight at the time. It had a when “ working on cars was a necessity.” As a Human Resources manager, car maintenance is now “mostly engines. suspension that Land Rover’s North American head, very loyal customer base for Continued on page 4 for fun.” His wife Jean, and their two sons, spent considerable energy resurrecting their 1988 Range Rover Classic. Their story reads like a Christmas dream, and Vintage Rovers Across Africa British Invasion 2000 will remind Series Land Rover owners of holiday Land Rovers Invade fantasies -ed.] M y father always told me that if you were The British Invasion going to drive something, “you’d better understand how it works and be able to repair it.” Little did I By Jeffrey Aronson know that he’d be referring to my first-ever Land It always takes place the September weekend Ro v e r , a 1988 Range Rover Classic. before the peak foliage season, and it always sees This first Range Rover cost me $1.00. I found 500-600 British cars and thousands of enthusiasts this vehicle in a barn where it had been stored for in attendance. In that sense, this British Invasion three years! The previous owner had tired of making resembled the previous 9 editions. The growing repairs, so when it would not start one day, he By Jeffrey B. Aronson number of Land Rovers present, and the delightful parked it at only 78,000 miles on the odometer. New York City and return to West Africa to lead enthusiasm of their owners, have come to make Along came a minor flood (merely axle high), squir- [Mike Ladden, Hampden, CT, has been a leader the Vintage Rovers Across Africa expedition. Land Rovers a central part of this annual event. rels, mice and mildew, weakening his desire, ability within the West Connecticut Land Rover Club. “You get this ‘Africa fever,’ Ladden explained, Continued on page 6 and fortitude to renew his Rover. We had the chance to discuss his ambitious “once you’ve been there. It’s the last great I first met the owner in an adult continuing edu- project at RoverFest 2000 and in unspoiled kind of culture. Asia cation program in which I was learning to restore a a telephone interview -ed.] might be that way too, but Africa 1966 Plymouth for my son....and along came the offers so many different cultures, offer to take the Range Rover off his hands. He had Back in 1992, Mike Ladden spent people, and languages all on the purchased the vehicle new, absolutely loved it, and most of the year working and tour- same continent.” Mike also had every record, as well as the original service man- ing northern Africa. “I started in enthused over the incredibly varied ual (in plastic) - but he had lost heart. The only catch Morocco, went through West Africa and Central terrain, from dry desert to rain forest mud, and was that I had to agree to restore and not part out the ve h i c l e . Africa.” He has yearned to return for the past 8 humid, wet conditions. “The expedition will take Continued on page 4 years. Beginning in February, 2001, he’ll depart two months: we leave New Continued on page 15. Land Rover polo - what a sight! © 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m Ask Rovers North British Invasion The Threaded Truth routine oil changes. If you are using 90w oil, worth the $1,500 asking price. On the other most of this water will leave the housing when hand, if you flnd corrosion holes, major modifi- Snaps Q. performing the oil change. However, if grease is cations, and parts that appear to be missing, it I’m new to the world of Series Land Rovers and used. . . ? would be worth waiting for a better example to have noticed something odd about the wheel come along. studs and lug nuts. I cannot see any of the lug Thank you. studs threads extending beyond the lug nut. Even Dave Sangerhausen Something I usually suggest is to look at the when the lug nuts are fully tightened, the lug stud Ext. 229 prices of Series Rovers on the Land Rover isn’t quite to the end of the lug nut. Have the Exchange Website (which can be accessed via a wrong lug studs or nuts been installed at some link through RoversNorth.com) or in Hemmings point, or is this normal? Air on the Side of Motor News. Both of these sources list Rovers for Reason sale from across the nation and you will be able to determine the going rate for vehicles in various Q. condition across the country. I own a 1994 LWB Range Rover. As you know, this vehicle is equipped with air suspension. Although l have yet to have trouble with this sys- tem, I have been considering a coil spring con- Tanks But no Tanks Series I from Quebec, CN version. Any thoughts? Q. I was wondering if you carry, or know where I A. can get an auxiliary fuel tank for my 1994 D90? Air suspension is a great system but can be expensive to repair depending on the failure. Unless you live in a remote area where an air A. suspension failure could be difficult to mend (the We do not carry D90 auxiliary fuel tanks and do system, if flat, has to be recalibrated with Land not know of anyone who does. I know this is a Rover’s scan tool called Test Book), I would not popular subject with Defender owners but one A. convert a properly working system. However, only has to remember a few years back where a I known the lug studs and nuts look odd but what Rovers North does offer a coil spring conversion major U.S. auto and truck producer was being you have described is normal for a Series Land kit (Part #RNK5105) if you are so inclined. sued for fuel tank/side impact problems. And, if Rover. Once tightened, there are enough mated you go back a little further (mid 70’s) another threads between the two to ensure sufficient Thank you. U.S. manufacturer had problems with fuel tanks strength. Defender 110 300Tdi Dave Sangerhausen and rear impacts in their new economy vehicle. Ext. 229 Therefore, it is easy to see why, even with proper Thank you. research and development the manufacture and Dave Sangerhausen sale of fuel tanks is a risky liability issue. Ext. 229 Another item to consider would be a 300Tdi Series Safari turbo diesel engine conversion that improves the gas mileage, thus eliminating the need for addi- To Grease or Not to tional fuel tanks. Rovers North does offer a com- Grease plete conversion for this year Defender. Q. I have read a lot about the new grease developed by Land Rover that is used in the swivel ball housings on Range Rovers. I was wondering if Gate Debate you sell this grease and if I can use it in the swiv- Q. “QE1” sits proudly among the Land Rovers el balls of my Series III? Greetings! I own a 1989 Range Rover that is suf- fering from the typical Range Rover upper tailgate corrosion problem. I know the upper tailgate is quite expensive and I wondered if anyone pro- duced an aluminum version?

Swivel Pin Housing Components, Series IIA,III A. We do sell the grease packs, however Q. we do not recommend using I have been a Range Rover owner for many years The Rover Polo action was fierce in first gear low range them on Series vehicles. The swiv- and have always wanted a Series IIA 88”. I have el ball housings on the Series are dif- found a 1966 model for sale locally that has not ferent from coil-sprung vehicles in that they use a been on the road for several years. In fact it is sit- swivel pin bearing and bushing that rely on slosh- ting behind the barn of a local farm, and the ing 90w oil for proper lubrication. Also, the owner is asking $1,500. Since l don’t exactly A. Series front axles use a U-joint similar to those know what to look for or what it’s worth, could While it is true that upper tailgate assemblies are on a prop shaft, whereas the Range Rover, you please provide some advice? expensive, they are actually less expensive than Defender, and Discovery use a CV joint. The CV buying the frame alone. Aluminum-framed upper joint can be properly lubricated by the grease, tailgates due exist, and we experimented with but due to the design of the Series U-joint, a thin- A. Everything boils down to completeness and cor - them a few years back. Do to the malleable prop- ner lubricant (again sloshing 90w) is required erties of the aluminum we could never get them for proper lubrication. rosion. Assuming the vehicle runs well, is com- plete and in somewhat original condition with to seal or latch properly and therefore opted not An additional note to ponder: Whether you to sell them. Your best bet is to purchase a new own a Series or coil sprung vehicle most people only minor (no holes) corrosion in the chassis, bulkhead and footwell, the vehicle would be well Land Rover upper tailgate and do your best to will find water in their swivel pin housings during rust proof the internals prior to installation.

© 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m News]; if you missed the article, we can explain TEC H TIP S - the details with a call to Rovers North. Another problem common to the Zenith is a Lite Breaks 1. Carb base bolts and/or nuts to intake Series Land Rover “sunken” float - a float that won’t float. This is manifold - the carburetor base bolts or nuts Carburetors - Which due to cracks in the float. Although we haven’t - Vacuum It can loosen due to vibration and can take it air. One Is Right For You? seen this much lately, it is always something to Make certain they’re tight. keep in mind if your Zenith experiences a rich By Jeffrey B. Aronson mixture. The only cure is float replacement. The 2. Intake manifold stud nuts on head - By Ed Aldrich and Dave Sangerhausen condition can be diagnosed by removing the float As a single guy, the notion of “vacuum” exists in, these easily mask their looseness due to corro- and shaking it; if you hear fuel sloshing around, sion. Spray some penetrating oil around the bolts [Rovers North’s Ed Aldrich and Dave well... a vacuum. I know that somewhere in the the float has a leak and will sink if reused. and studs, let it dry, and then run and warm up Sangerhausen have fielded many questions world of physics, the concept of vacuum has In our test, the Zenith provided less sustained the engine before tightening them in sequence. concerning the best carburetor for Series Land validity, but so does fusion, and I can’t tell you power on “Equalizer Hill” compared to the You can use a socket and rachet on the outer Rovers. There’s no easy answer, but the follow - much about it, either. There is a mechanical Weber two-barrel, but achieved 15 MPG on aver- ones, but you’ll need a 1/2” wrench for those on ing test drives should help you determine the device known as a “vacuum cleaner” that gets age. Off-road the Zenith proved to have adequate the top of the manifold. Don’t forget that two on best carb for your driving conditions -ed.] used when girlfriends and/or relatives come to power but ran rich on steep climbs and 30 visit, but by in large, the concept of “vacuum” the bottom are held in place with a wing flange degree side slopes. and nut, hidden from view and require the sock- o compare the qualities of the popular seemed relegated to the domestic world. However, vacuum ceases to be an abstraction et and extension. Since both the dipstick and the carburetor options for the Series Land steering mechanism will be in the way, be patient Rover, we chose Ed’s daily driver, a ‘60 Weber One-Barrel in the Land Rover world; when you turn to the Although a bit anemic, the Weber one-barrel is engine of a Land Rover, then vacuum has a major in maneuvering the rachet around the nut. T Series II 88” with 27,000 miles on a While you’re exploring these, see if you can rebuilt engine and a Rovers North NRP stainless an excellent replacement carburetor. Its simple role to play in smooth running and long life. This design allows for easy adjustment, field repairs, was demonstrated when, during a routine main- find scorch marks around the manifold studs on exhaust system. Ed kept the front hubs unlocked, the side of the head. If so, then you likely have a and his car does not have an overdrive. or rebuilds. There’s very little to adjust or tenance, the engine on my Series II-A idled in a replace, and the carb seems to run well in a vari- lumpy, slightly rough manner and hesitated split or torn intake manifold gasket. That The “test track” was Ed’s daily route to requires you to remove the intake and exhaust Rovers North, a mix of road conditions that ety of conditions. momentarily upon acceleration. While the butt of One problem we have experienced is its sus- many jokes, a well-maintained 2.25 engine manifolds, replace the gasket, and reinstall the includes a 1.5 miles stretch dubbed “Equalizer manifolds. The task is not difficult in terms of Hill.” In addition to on-road testing, a few side ceptibility to contamination from rusting fuel should really run quite smoothly - O.K., you’re tanks or deteriorating fuel lines. The small parti- not going to balance a pencil on the hood - and tools or ability, but is slow yet worth the time. If trips were made for off-road performance evalua- you ignore this, you risk burning up the intake tion. cles that develop may clog the various passages in rev up and down as if all four cylinders are firing the carb. The short-term solution is to disassem- in the correct sequence. valves over the long haul. When an engine does not run smoothly, the first impulse is to turn to the carburetor and 3.Throttle shaft through carb body - spray adjust the idle and/or mixture. You can compen- your cleaner around the sides of the carb body sate for some problems this way, but generally, while the engine is running. If the engine gains it’s like having another drink to cure a hangover. rpm while spraying, then you have a leak at that You’re just masking the problem and likely point [do not spray on hot manifold!]. increasing the running time of the hangover. Depending on your make of carburetor, you Instead of reaching for a screwdriver to might be able to replace the shaft and bushing to adjust the carb, first check that the points are eliminate the air leak. clean and adjusted within specs [.14 - .16 in.]. When none of these turned out to be the It’s worth noting when you last replaced your in- problem for me, a simple replacement provided line fuel filter, and if your carb has one, when the solution. you last cleaned the in-carb filter [on the 1 bar- rel Weber, it’s under a brass 3/4” nut where the 4. Vacuum hose from distributor and rub- fuel line enters the carb]. ber elbow to carb body.I followed the vacuum Then, consider the following to determine hose from the distributor body to a rubber elbow whether a vacuum leak is causing the engine to that plugged into a pipe near the base of my run lean; you’d be surprised what can loosen up Weber carburetor. When I pulled on the elbow, I under the routine vibration of a Series engine. noticed a tear otherwise hidden from view. I pur- You’ll need only a 1/2” or 9/16th wrench, 1/2” chased a new 1/8” by 11/64” elbow at an auto socket with extension, and carb cleaner, WD-40, parts store, plugged it in, and a normal idle or similar product. returned at once. It also eliminated the hesitation upon acceleration.

intake manifold that doesn’t bolt (sandwich) to Detroit area during the muscle car era, it’s been the exhaust manifold. Therefore, during the win- difficult for me to get used to the lethargic ten- ble the carb, flush it out, blow through the jets, The ContestantsSolex ter months in the northern tier, the carb experi- dencies of the 2.25L. Since, like Ed, he uses his and be on your way. This is easily accomplished While many Series I, II, and II-A’s came with ences icing problems. At the other end of the II-A mainly as a commuter, I prefer to run the with the carb on the car; you’ll need only a thin Solex carburetors, alas, original parts for the spectrum, regardless of climate, we have found Weber one-barrel. Even though the Weber two- flat head screwdriver and ideally, a can of carb Solex models have become increasingly difficult that most people (ourselves included) can never barrel does indeed provide more power, it can cleaner. to source. In original condition, it was a reliable get the mixture to lean out correctly. It’s likely become extremely frustrating to tune and main- A second problem that has been reported is if thirsty carb, a bit tricky to tune. We chose not just too much carb for the engine. This is more tain. an excessively lean mixture. By design, the carb to include the Solex in this test as many owners than apparent on worn engines without maximum runs a bit lean and that can be accentuated by have converted to more contemporary carb compression. Other negatives include not being Recommendations: either improper mixture adjustment or a worn setups. as fewer daily drivers use these original able to use the original air cleaner assembly and We would recommend the Zenith for people throttle shaft through the carb body. carburetors, we focused the on the popular excessive exhaust fumes. looking for good all-around power, and the A third issue is winter icing. Many owners replacement models. On the positive side, you may see a perfor- Weber one-barrel for good on-road economy and report that they use dry gas with every tankful in mance increase when installed on a fresh motor. off-road performance. Rovers North does not the winter to prevent serious icing. The icing Zenith One-Barrel Our test vehicle showed a daily 5-MPH speed loss support the Weber two-barrel, and while it makes affects idling when cold far more than starting. (from an initial speed of 55 MPH) while travers- The Zenith has been the backbone of the Land the car more entertaining, it presents too many On our road test, the Weber one-barrel ing “Equalizer Hill” compared to 13 MPH with Rover carburetor line-up for late II-A’s and Series problems for daily driving. returned an average fuel economy of 17 mpg. the Weber one-barrel and 10 MPH with the III’s. When clean and properly adjusted, it pro- However, it had the most trouble on “Equalizer Zenith. Although performance was increased, fuel vides sufficient power for all operations with min- Hill” by developing a speed loss of 13 MPH. Off- economy suffered. On average the two-barrel imal trouble. The most common complaint from road, the Weber one-barrel had no operational achieved 13 MPG. Off-road the two-barrel had no this unit is a poor idle/rich mixture, caused by difficulties on any grade hill or the 30 degree problems on 30 degree side slopes and had good mis-machining of the carburetor halves on new side slope. performance on small hills. However, it did run units, or warpage on old units. Both problems extremely rich on large, steep hills. can be rectified by sanding level the carb’s Weber 3236DGV Two-Barrel Dave Sangerhausen noted that “from the machined surfaces [see last issue of Rovers North This carb set-up requires use of a non-genuine standpoint of someone who grew-up in the

© 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m geoning U.S. market. Fuel injection helped the 215 First Impressions, con’t. Life Begins After 30, con’t. cubic inch [3.5 L] ex-Buick engine meet U.S. emis- I started by draining ALL the fluids - hypoids, the only models it made, all based on the Series II- to a loser!” sion standards and in March, 1987, the Range Rover officially returned to North America. Despite linger- brake and clutch lines, pumps and engine oil - in the A. Buyers were willing to endure longish waits for “The first Range Rover had Land Rover axles, a Rover and replacing them. With some trepidation, I their cars - Land Rover always seemed to sell every Buick V-8, even Ford Bronco suspension pieces. We ing doubts about corporate reliability (the Rover 3500 and Stirling follies had preceded the Range did a quick compression check to see if the engine Rover it made - and the attitudes on the sales staff proved quickly that we didn’t like the Bronco sus - was serviceable and surprisingly, everything was with- reflected that reality. Land Rover needed develop- pension design - the car handled like a pig, so we Rover), the car quickly met sales expectations. While distinctly more luxurious than its early two- in original specs. I replaced all the filters, spark mental funds to produce a new model, if for no redesigned all of it.” plugs, and plug wires. I pulled the distributor, other reason than models routinely changed annual- “David Bache [Rover’s chief designer] worked door ancestors, it still seemed a bit stark, in terms of options, compared to it American competitors. cleaned and tightened the pickup (which turned out ly at that time. Yet they did not have the money to on the critical redesign and created its classic look. to be the real reason it stopped) and replaced it. To spend on short-term, let alone long-term, develop- He put together a full size mockup. It took up to Still, the clean lines, extraordinary design and rela- tive rarity (most dealers sold every one they could ensure smooth running, I then cleaned the air intake ment. The merger with British Leyland was a mixed prototype #3 to get the look right; this was back in and plenum, replaced fuel pump and had the fuel blessing for Land Rover; the profits Solihull made 1968. We tested prototype #6 in Algeria in 1969, procure) made for a quick success. And Land Rover had learned a lesson about dealers from the earlier system and injectors cleaned with a chemical solu- got scarfed up trying to keep marques like Austin convoying with a 109 V-8 for refueling purposes. tion. The only real problem we ran debacles; it set high standards for corralling a Land Rover franchise. The 3.5 has an aluminum block and I did not into was when, in the Atlas want to risk overheating. So I removed the radiator Americans tended to use the car as a station Mountains of Morocco, we and had it checked, flushed and cleaned by a profes- wagon and highway cruiser, which brought a bored- developed a hole in the petrol sional. As an extra measure of insurance, I replaced out 3.9 engine and ABS in 1989, and anti-roll bars tank. A year later, we took the the thermostat, too, Turning my attention to the sus- in 1990. Interiors became ever more luxurious and car to Switzerland for winter pension system, I replaced the ball joints for the self feature-laden; while extremely comforting, in the testing. Just before the leveling unit as well as the top link ball joint, bush- hands of enthusiasts they could become just some- launch, we tried adding an ings, and steering damper. As an extra measure, I thing else to go wrong over time. In 1992, the car extra rear seat to prototype replaced the power steering fluid reservoir. As a fina l grew to 108” with the addition of the LWB line, and #7, but it didn’t work out. In treat to our comfort, I replaced the exhaust manifold American dealers could finally sell rear seat leg the end, we made 27 proto- gasket and installed a new muffler and tail pipe. We types and 20 press cars. The room to customers. With only 1,500 - 2,000 Range even sprung for new mud flaps. Stopping the car is oldest one is at the British Rovers imported every year, Land Rover found a as important as making it go and after cleaning out Motor Industry Heritage steady demand for Range Rovers, as long as they the brake lines and the calipers, I replaced all the Museum.” grew ever more luxurious annually. Leather interi- disc pads. “Some of the sales force, ors, sunroofs, special models such as the SE and Then the real detective work began, I replaced particularly in Europe, were Autobiography series, all enhanced the Range the battery and tried to find, clean and check ALL most pessimistic. They asked Rover’s image. Celebrities flocked to the car like grounds, as well as any electrical connections and and Morris afloat. On the other hand, Leyland’s own how could we sell a Land Rover for the price of two wrestling fans today to the XFL, and the Range Rover contacts I could find both inside and out. There was financial crisis required a government bailout; one P6’s? Peter Wilkes saw the problem and said, ‘let’s became an icon of success - bolstered by a witty, a hole in one floorboard, which I repaired by weld- beneficiary was Land Rover, which received the go- go do a sales tour of Europe.’ That never happened, understated advertising campaign. ing a plate and adding undercoating to the bottom ahead funding to develop the Range Rover. It could so we created a test track instead. The sales force Everyone who has driven a Range Rover, on and section. Otherwise, it seemed ready to run. not have come at a better time for the company. really appreciated the performance and the quality off-road, attests to the perfect mating of engine, dri- I purchased a few trim pieces that were either At the ARC 50th Anniversary Celebration at of the ride and handling. Then they vetrain and suspension. On one summer off-road broken or missing from a parted-out Rover. Using Eastnor Castle in 1998, I had the privilege of meet- saw the light at the end of the tun- lots of elbow grease, we steam-cleaned and scrubbed ing Geof Miller, a Rover engineer who helped create nel.” the interior (it sat closed in a barn for three years the Range Rover. In an interview, he reminisced “But we still had some managers and smelled just like you’d expect). My 15 year-o l d about the development of the Range Rover. who did not believe in the car. What son figured out the code for the radio receiver while “From 1967-1969, I found myself assigned to we would do is take them out on a I replaced all the speakers. My wife Jean and I have road and then suddenly, at speed, been EMT volunteers for 20 years, so we had to add veer off onto a field. When they an emergency scanning radio for our service on the expected the worst, the car would local rescue squad. As for the exterior, once we perform beautifully. That test really scrubbed and cleaned the body, we found the paint convinced our most skeptical man- in excellent shape. We also added a recovery hitch, ager, from Germany, of the car’s extra lights, a rear guard and a carrier. value.” Since her successful trial run, we have put on The Range Rover of the ‘70’s had about 8000 miles. Jean insists that the Range Rover a “country gentleman” style outside, is now part of the family. Although while she went to but still had a “successful farmer” visit her brother out of state recently, my sons and I inside the car. Look at photos of the had a chance to take it out on the trail...AMAZING!!! early interiors and you find carpeting The only problem was when my wife came home a that Starsky and Hutch would have died for, and a expedition in New Hampshire in the mid-1990’s, I couple hours early to find her Rover with mud shade of “windswept dung” paint on the fascia. I remember a convoy of Series Rovers and Range EV E R YWHERE...roof and all...That took some could have drawn better binnacle design in study Rovers on a steep, narrow gully, A Series Rover ex p l a i n i n g ! hall. Of course, if you were used to looking down heeled over gently on its side, leaning against the This spring, I plan to replace the headliner, add near your knees to find out if you had oil pressure, wall of the gully. The most sizeable men in the con- an expedition basket and replace the shocks. I have and you did in a Series II-A, then the Range Rover voy sat in a Range Rover Classic, chatting in air con- to admit it has been a fun and contagious project!! If interior seemed wondrous. Or, coming out of a ditioned comfort while enjoying fine music. Deep in I count the hours and days that I spent working on Series III 109” SW into a Range Rover, you would conversation and comfort, they were oblivious to this car, I come up with about 4 1/2 months; they have felt as though you sat in a glass skybox at a our calls for avoirdupois. Once we knocked on the have been fun and frustrating at the same time. I’ll modern sports stadium in comparison. You sat high window, they leapt to help. The rush of cold air not forget that it took an entire can of WD-40 just to but not exposed, commanding a 100” wheelbase when they opened the door felt wonderful; I also remove the wheels and that I’ve used vast quantities vehicle with ease, thanks to little overhang and a noticed that their Rover did not get stuck all day. of lithium grease, undercoating, silicone spray and short hood line. Comfort and capability...hmm. rust proofing on reviving this Rover. I still need a The success of the Range Rover must have been The 1987 [or earlier grey market model] - right side running board and have to free up the diff a relief to the financially strapped Land Rover, which 1994 Range Rover Classic has settled in value to Kia- lock AGAIN this weekend (I need to off-road more produced the same, two-door model for the next 11 like levels; many sell for less than a Series Land of t e n ! ) . years. The original Range Rover had the U.S. firmly Rover. Many Range Rovers were second or third I have to thank Rovers North and all the enthusi- asts on Rovers North Bulletin Board for their assis- in its sights in 1970; indeed, it was the prescient cars, so many have low mileage. Even if significant tance and patience. Thanks go to Miguel, my Rover’s Spen King on a project that was intended to provide market research by Land Rover’s Graham Bannock mileage is indicated, many were highway miles - the original owner who loved the vehicle enough to see an interim replacement model, a stopgap, for the that identified the leisure 4 x 4 vehicle class of vehi- best type for any car. High mileage scares off dealers that it was not parted out or junked!!! And fina l l y , Land Rover station wagon. The sales force was push- cle. However, the ever-increasing safety and emis- but not enthusiasts. A well-maintained Rover V-8 is thanks to my son who decided to drive my Ford 4X4 ing for an update of that model. When the design sion regulations, combined with a healthy world- perfectly capable of over 200,000 miles before instead of the Rover when it arrived. people put their needs together, they determined wide demand, kept the Range Rover out of the North major service; in salt-free regions of the country, Yes, I’d like to eventually obtain a Series Land that the ideal wheelbase would be 100”. So we American market. Those same regulations would frames and body panels just don’t rust. Whether at Rover to restore, but this Range Rover bug is infec- decided to call it the Land Rover 100” Station end formal importation of Land Rovers in 1974. 80 mph on the interstate or 2 miles an hour on a tious. You see, on my round-trip travels to work each Wagon. We played around with all kinds of names, Although specialty companies leapt in first, Land rocky trail, the Range Rover covers it all with extra- da y , I’ve spotted a 1987 or 1988 Range Rover that’s but it was a guy in Styling who thought up ‘Range ordinary class. There may not be a better time to Rover finally produced a 4-door model in 1982; a been sitting for some time without a license plate in a Rover.’ Some friends were skeptical. When I was consider a Range Rover Classic - and you certainly year later, you could finally purchase a Range Rover back yard... moved to Spen King’s area for this project, there with an automatic transmission. Finally, there was a won’t have to apologize for it to the spouse or signif- were colleagues who said, ‘Poor Geof, he’s assigned Range Rover that could consider tackling the bur- icant other!

© 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m By Mike Searfoss Mark dropped the fuel tank and carefully transmission were installed already. Sean Lobdell believes fervently in fresh air removed the V8 fuel pump from the draw tube At this point, the real fun of a unique conver- and had left the door tops at home. In fact, he Back in October, 2000, Sean Lobdell, Boston, assembly fitted inside the tank. The 300Tdi uses sion began as I stared at all the remaining little had delivered the Defender with only a full length MA, presented Rovers North with an interesting its own fuel pump located on the engine where it pieces and hardware on the workbench. At this surrey top and no sides. This is Vermont in mid- challenge. He was intrigued with the Rovers is easily accessible in case service is required in point Dave Sangerhausen joined the team and October; by our standards, we were long past North 300 Tdi conversion for his ‘97 Defender the future. Meanwhile, I assembled Sean’s trans- completely rewired the vehicle as necessary for a surrey-top with no sides weather. As soon as we 90 but wanted to retain his NAS automatic trans- fer box to the new automatic transmission pro- diesel and automatic. Dave’s mission was to con- mission. Since that combination is unavailable in vided with the 300Tdi. This differs from the one vert the V8’s OBDII engine electrical system to Defenders from Land Rover, this vehicle was fitted to the V8s in that it uses a larger torque the no-nonsense 300Tdi system. Dave successful- going to become a unique project. converter and different shift points to better ly integrated the new engine into the vehicles electrical system and provided Sean with a schematic to aid with future service. This task A Defender with required a comfortable relationship with work- shop manuals, schematic diagrams, and a great deal of imagination to make up for incomplete an Automatic Edge information or custom necessities. By Wednesday, October 4th, this unique con- So one Monday morning, I left the telephone match the torque and flexibility of the turbo version had become quite the topic of conversa- support room at Rovers North and entered the diesel. This special ZF auto for the tion at Rovers North. shop to help with this project. While removing 300Tdi until now had only been Everyone would look headed up the the engine and transmission, fitted to Discovery and for an excuse to wander driveway we could tell that the 300 Tdi with the I discovered that Sean had Range Rover Classic down to the shop and automatic had more than enough power. This brought along much of the Tdi models. A mix of assess the progress. might seem obvious, but Sean chooses to run off-road dirt of Massachusetts, Defender and Over the next 30 hours massive 36” off-road tires in his daily driver. The Vermont and New Hampshire Discovery parts would we reassembled every tires alone could rob substantial horsepower on with him; the collected dirt permit this conversion item on the workbench road, but the Tdi moved us along at a smart and mud adhered to every- to be successful, and back onto the Defender. pace. After the test drive we attended to a few thing from the chassis to the keep it all genuine. This conversion minor adjustments. battery box. As Mark Letorney Mark and I required some special Before Sean came up to Vermont to pick up pressure washed the engine installed the 300 Tdi modifications, such as his Defender, I put on around 200 miles of test Rovers North Team installs the 300Tdi. compartment, I thought I engine onto its new the exhaust. drives and it performed superbly. From my expe- would need a backhoe to motor mounts. We enlisted the aid Once the required parts arrived from the UK, rience, I do not see any reason a skilled Land remove it all from the shop of Rovers North staff members Brian I installed them and thought we were nearly com- Rover specialist shop would not be able to per- floor. Durrett and Shane Westover to man- pleted with the project. Thursday, October, 19th form this conversion for you, too. It will trans- Once cleaned, we rolled the ually lift and fit the transmission to we made sure all the fluids where topped off and form your Defender into a miserly fuel sipper vehicle back into the shop the engine. With the transmission bolted on, started the vehicle making sure that the radiator and off-road powerhouse, all at the same time. where Mark cut off the old engine mounts and I installed the new crossmember. Here it was, got burped, the thermostat opened and the sys- Call Rovers North if we can provide you with welded in the new ones. Once that was complete, only 12:00 noon on Day 2, and the motor and tem worked well. additional information.

years of service in the motor pool of the British arrived in Vermont for a look, Mark threw us the runs, extracting a disabled diesel 109” with 8 It’s All Your Army of the Rhine. “Old Contemptible” has deliv- keys to his military 88” and it only took us a few hours of tugging and towing over only 2 miles. ered 120,000 miles of adventure and fun, and miles to hook us for good. I ordered up some Grand, grand fun. We drove it up regularly to Fault, Rovers seems to be in better shape 15 years into its sec- new extras-new radial tyres, a hard top, Kodiak Franconia Notch and North Conway to go skiing ond career than when we first drove it from heater, locking front hubs and an overdrive-then in the winter, learning that at 0 degrees F, even Vermont to Boston in a spitting snow storm. we had to wait. Given our eagerness, it seemed with a warmed engine, full power only makes North! Separately, we both had been seduced by like forever until November, 1985, but we met 30mph until the gallons of hypoid oil warmed. Land Rovers. Sue took family vacations as a girl Old Contemptible with only 18,000 miles on its Military orders came again in a few years, By Neil and Sue McCasland in Taylor Park, Colorado, and wished for a Land odometer. Mark said we would forget how old it back to California, nearly 3000 road miles ahead- Rover. I drove a TR-6 as my only car and discov- was as we drove it routinely. The trip south to the first of several transcontinental journeys “Old [Neil McCasland serves as a Colonel in the Air Force, stationed in California. With his wife, Susan, a Colonel ered the hard way that despite its narrow track Boston showed only minor nuisances: the need Contemptible” would make for us. Back out west in the Air Force Reserve, they have “endured” decades of and big tyres, it just didn’t have the clearance for sealed-beam lights and a solid state voltage we found another wonderful bunch of Rover ownership of an ex- MoD Series II-A 88”. They share when heading off tarmac (I learned about bow- regulator. lovers and their extraordinary rallies into the their experiences in this article -ed.] waves fording creeks in the TR and about driving Through I was a moderately experienced DIY Black Rock Desert of Nevada. We roamed all on the tops of rocks because of its low chassis). mechanic from my TR, and a TR is remarkably over Mojave, Death Valley, the Panamint and Reading Eric Evan’s long article in the Rovers As a then-new Captain in the US Air Force, similar to a Rover (just lower), I quickly realized Saline Valleys. Anza Borrego and the Colorado North News [Fall 2000] motivated us to file this and a one-year veteran of marriage, we found I’d need help and learned what a wonderfully Desert. We drove the Mojave Road and every 15-year report, as that’s the amount of time that’s ourselves transferred to Boston and went looking friendly and helpful shop Rovers North could be mile of Dennis Casebier’s (Friends of the Mojave passed since Sue and I drove up to Westford, VT for a Land Rover. Back in 1985, Rovers North to the new owner. I pestered Rovers North weekly Road) East Mojave Heritage trail. We sortied out to take possession of our ex-MoD IIA 88. “Old imported low-mileage, ex-MoDs [sound familiar - for advice on the best way to do some inspection from Los Angeles to an early National Rally at Contemptible” is its name, in honor of its 20 ed?] and they sounded so perfect. When we or to talk through a parts swap before trying it. Moab, where we finally chipped enough teeth in Nothing was hard, and we quickly fell into that the transmission and diffs (consuming two differ - familiar seasonal pattern-look under the wheels entials) to motivate an ARB air locker in back. World Class 300Tdi diesel performance every October to see which brake cylinders need- Put an end to wheel snatch and let us climb stuff ed swapping before the real cold. Nothing hard we never would try before. now available for your NAS Defender. except the *&%* clutch master. Sue discovered We drove it out to Colorado for my 10th Air your “Sightings” and became quite prolific, even- Force Academy class reunion, crossing the high Double your fuel mileage, improve your tually accumulating nearly a dozen mugs over the passes in the San Juan and returning Sue to her off - r oad perfo rm a n c e years from The Rovers North News. girlhood vacation site at Taylor Park. Except this with a custom prep a re d “Old Contemptible” was my daily driver time she had a proven, trail-hardened Land Rover kit from Rovers Nortth h . . down in Cambridge and I found myself gleefully to go where she wanted - and we did - Taylor and smug with the prospects of heavy snow so I could Tincup Passes and others. The already faded Please call or email mash through the minor streets with impunity brush-painted OD got even worse under the forfor more informa t i o n . while the Massachusetts highways were paralyzed. California sun, but so what? It was my daily driver (802)(802) 879-0032879-0032 We went back to Rovers North for summer rallies and who wanted to fear pushing into a narrow rov e r s @ t o g e t h e r. n e t and linked up with a great bunch in Maine for track because the sage would scratch new paint? long camping expeditions in the summer-fording We camped out of it, hauled bricks in it (1800 lb the width of the Penobscot on one-and the outra- in one load!), took it out of the city into the geous winter rallies with chains on all 4 tyres desert as often as we could. GE N U I N E seeing how far into ice and snow choked the log- The gods of the military personnel people PART S ging roads we could push. We really learned to smiled on us yet again - next orders sent us to use our then-new winch on one of those winter Denver, Colorado. Ah, Continued on page 18 © 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m British Invasion, con’t. The British Invasion is a labor of love com- bined with an excuse to brings several hundred lovingly restored British cars to Stowe, Vermont, that fills local motels, restaurants and camp - grounds on the shoulder of foliage season and fills the valleys with the thrilling sounds of British engines. This year’s event benefitted from fine weather, a nice change from the previous year’s torrential storms. If you love the look, sound and smell of MG’s, Triumphs, Jaguars, Morgans, Aston Martins, even Singers, this year’s Invasion provided you with a feast of sensory delights. If you’re a Land Rover fan, you’re in heaven. First, you enjoyed the sight of over 100 Land Rovers, from Series I’s to the lat- est Discovery Series II’s and Range Rover 4.6’s. Richard and Linda Gautier, St. British Invasion 2000 Theodore, Quebec, drove their ‘54 Series I 107” around the Rovers North tent For added fun, the 4 x 4 Center, Williston, VT, but a special moment for me came when I met Pickup, along with Denis Gautier’s ‘56 Series I and meet long-lost friends as well as new set up another excellent trials course. Their staff, Peter McElroy, Reading, PA. Peter and his wife 107” Pickup. It seemed as though much of St. ones; well, it was easy for me as I didn’t have to augmented by Rovers North staff, helped marshal Marcia both work for US Airways, and last year, Theodore accompanied them for the trip; work the sales area. A morning walk with Mike the course. Once again, you could rent a ride in a they shipped their rebuilt ‘65 Series II-A 88” SW Quebeckers always add excitement and enthusi- Loiodice, Upper Marlboro, MD, filled me in with Range Rover, Discovery or Defender, with an from the US to Liverpool, England, and then asm to the British Invasion. Richard found his the ever-changing scene at Land Rover North instructor, or tackle the course yourself. Scott drove it all the way to the Cape of Good Hope. “It station wagon in Lac St. Jean. He turned in part of America in the midst of the switch from BMW to Preston, Yarmouthport, MA, drove his ‘94 took 1 and 1/2 years of planning. Herb Zipkin his Ski-Doo collection to purchase the station Ford corporate ownership. Defender 90 through the course and accompa- was the inspiration for this trip. I saw his much- wagon. Rovers North friend Lanny Clark helped Pete and Jane Moloney, Patterson, NY, drove nied me in my ‘66 Series II-A. He noted that “the traveled 109” at a Downeast Rally, and I wanted find a 2.0 liter motor for it. The faint outline of their Lightweight; for a long time, Pete commuted cars were different in different sections. The to try an expedition like his. Lanny Clark helped “New Work Mining Company, Toronto, Ontario,” in this car from his home in New Jersey. History leafer has better movement because it didn’t flex me find the car; I sent the car to East Coast Rover was lettered on the door. “My top speed was 50- teacher David Kravetz, Pittsfield, NY, owns a ‘62 and roll. My Defender couldn’t always go slow for the rebuild and insisted that they bring it back 55 mph,” he said. Series II-A diesel but opted to make this trip in enough. But I needed the softness of the to the way it left the factory. There were transcen- The Ottawa Valley Land Rover Club had its his ‘94 Defender 90. Terry and Pat Allen, Defender to do well on the course, dent moments, such as crossing the Alps in a usual large contingent of Canadian and US mem- Kintnersville, PA, “personally restored” their ‘68 even as I had to fight the body roll.” snowstorm, a morning walk along bers present. Their food trailer proved almost as Series II-A. Of course, I don’t remember Scott the Bosporus, a charge from a bull popular as Dixon Kenner’s ‘64 Series II-A 109” British Invasion participants have been treat- getting cross-axled at the troubling elephant. We saw the pyramids in SW; using methods later copied by Florida’s elec- ed to polo exhibitions and border collie trials, hillock and sharp left turn section. Egypt, and for the first time, a giraffe. tion, his 109” won the Land Rover category of the but they’d never seen Rover Polo before. The There, I went so slow that the car But the most special time came from People’s Choice Award. We don’t know what the competition pitted teams of three Land Rovers, had no momentum to prevent the the people we met. I can’t say enough owners of the ‘34 Alvis, the ‘52 Singer, the ‘53 all of which had to be in low range, against each cross-axle. Quinton Aspin, in his to you about them, just a sincere Sunbeam Talbot, or the ‘62 Jaguar Mk I 3.8 other. Each team had to whack a beach ball with 80” Series I, and Paul Memont, thank you. Next year, we hope to travel thought of Dixon’s victory, but organizer Chris a broom into a goal at the other end of the field. Georgetown, MA, in his Range through New Zealand and Australia.” Francis kept glancing at his own Range Rover for First gear low range assured that no car would go Rover Classic, won their classes in The British Invasion is a time for day- reassurance as he handed Dixon the plaque. that fast, and amazingly, no Rovers were hurt in the trials competition. dreaming and enjoying the people who Then, you had the chance to speak with hun- the production of this event. The Sunday morning It’s easy to see from the accompanying pho- comprise the Land Rover community. Rovers dreds of enthusiasts. It was relaxing to just hang crowd cheered long and loud for each team. tos how much fun everyone had at the Invasion, North will be back next year - and so will I. 2001 Club Events Schedule Ap r i l 6 – 8 Camp Rover East - Monteagle, TN 23 – 24 OVLR Birthday Party - Ottawa, CN Solaros (w w w. c a m p r o v e r u s a . c o m ) (w w w. o v l r. c o m ) 20 – 22 Uwharrie Safari - Uwharrie, NC Ju l y Old North State Land Rover Society 20 – 22 Land Rover Enthusiast Billing Show (w w w. l a n d - r o v e r. o r g ) Billing Aquadrome, Northhampton, UK 20 – 21 Tellico in the Spring - Tellico, NC (w w w. l a n d r o v e r e n t h u s i a s t . c o m ) So l a r o s (w w w. s o l a r o s . c o m ) Au g u s t Ma y 4 – 6 North Bend State Park - WV 2 – 5 Solihull Society Rally Nationals - Blue Ridge Rover Club Ou r a y , CO (w w w. s o l i h u l l s o c i e t y. o r g ) 18 – 20 Land Rover Owner International Show - 9 – 11 Steens Mtn. Run - WA NAC Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, UK Pa c i fi c NW Coast Rover Club (w w w. l r o m a g a z i n e . c o m ) (w w w. p c r c . n e t ) 19 – 20 Team Trophy Challenge - WA 11 – 12 Roverfest 2001 - Killington, VT Pa c i fi c NW Rover Club (w w w. p c r c . n e t ) WCRC (w w w. l a n d r o v e r c l u b . c o m ) 20 British Car Day - GA (w w w. s o l a r o s . c o m ) 17 – 20 4th Annual Unofficial Tellico Rally - Tellico, NC Solaros (w w w. s o l a r o s . c o m ) 21 – 25 Northern California Rover Club - Se p t e m b e r Moab, UT (w w w. n o r c a l r o v e r. c o m ) Congratulations to the Solihull Society for another 29 – 31 Adventure Team Challenge - 14 – 15 7th Annual Appalachian Expedition - successful National Rally last August.Crested Butte, Flatland Rover Society Solaros (w w w. s o l a r o s . c o m ) CO, saw 54 Land Rovers, from Series I’s to Range (w w w. fla t l a n d r o v e r s o c i e t y. c o m ) 22 – 23 British Invasion - Stowe, VT Rovers North thanks Land Rover Clubs throughout North Rovers, and nearly 100 enthusiasts. For August 2001, Ju n e Oc t o b e r America for the hard work and considerable time that go make your plans for Ouray . 9 – 10 BSROA Off Road Weekend, NH 5 – 6 Mid-Atlantic Rally - Vir g i n i a to making off-road events possible. We invite you to send (w w w. b s r o a . c o m ) RO A V (w w w. r o a v. o r g ) us notices of your clubs upcoming events to 16 Series Only Ride, GA [email protected] . Solaros (w w w. s o l a r o s . c o m ) © 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m Vintage Rovers, con’t. York City on February 3 and return on March to New England and were known to each other Waterbury, CT, drew Bellensky’s 101 FC. With its impossible to go east- west right now: Sudan, 29,” Mike reported. To motivate their return from other events.” While it was appealing to put full truck body, it becomes the ideal camping and Angola, and the Congo are just too volatile.” As home, they’ve even book their flights back for together a multi-national crew, the logistical and support vehicle. Bellensky and Jim Leach will this issue goes to press, the expedition will fly that day. administrative problems with multiple visas from serve as the expedition’s mechanics, and into Madrid, Spain to pick up their vehicles. They The trip will focus on West Africa, as logisti- cally, it’s the easiest place to which to deliver With the demanding travel conditions facing these vintage Land Rovers, their Land Rovers, which include a ‘65 Series II-A 88”, a ‘71 Series II-A 88”, a ‘73 Series III 88”, Genuine Parts were used extensively in the preparation of these vehicles. and a ‘72 101 FC. Ladden noted that “outfitting the vehicles meant we wanted them fairly stock, different countries proved too daunting. Messenger brings his professional work with GPS will cross the Mediterranean to Morocco and not too modified. Nothing we’ve done has altered The early II-A will carry Ladden and systems. drive southwest to Western Sahara, and then the character of any Rover. For expedition use, Shumway, who works with the Monitor Group in Ladden plans to “update from the road via an south through Mauritania and Senegal. Heading we’ve fitted Genuine Parts in preparation, added Cambridge, MA. Shumway will serve as the expe- email satellite system. Some will be telephone east, they’ll drive to Timbuktu, Mali, and then air compressors, onboard showers, and wired dition leader. Al Cornell, a consultant from download, some will be hard copy or diskettes, south again to Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo, the vehicles to 12 v for all appliances. We had Killingworth, CT, and Pat Macomber, a retiree and a Connecticut contact with help update the before heading westward to their final destination 140 amp alternators con- web site directly. We hope to of the Ivory Coast. structed locally as wells as post updates every couple of While team members have their own reasons custom roof racks and roof days, with photos and even for participating, no one ever returns from Africa top tents.” video.” [The web site for the the same person as when they left. The Land “Mechanically, we’ve just expedition is www.adven- Rover and its spirit help adventuresome people rebuilt the Rovers where tureafrica.org/vintagerover- fulfill their dreams; perhaps expedition member needed for safety and security: sacrossafrica.] “We’re working Al Cornell said it best when he noted “I would we’ve rewired them, replaced with school systems in CT and rather go now at my age than look back 20 years all the seals and, when neces- MA to encourage students to and wish I had gone.” sary, refurbished the engines. learn from our experiences.” For ease of maintenance, Karen Fonteyne, who is we’ve used spin-on oil filters. Mike Ladden’s wife, is handling All the vehicles have camera all the North American paper- mounts for video, Brunton work, finances, web site updat- GPS and quality compasses.” ing and international communi- Rovers North has put cations. Belgian-born and multi- together five boxes of expedi- lingual, her efforts will be vital tion maintenance and emer- to the expedition’s success. As a gency repair parts for the spouse, she’s “concerned and assorted vehicles. “Hopefully, we won’t have to from W. Hartford, CT, will share the “deluxe alert” about the trip. Bruce Kinzer, Hampton, CT, use many of them”, noted Mike. seating” and synchromesh comfort of the spent two decades living and working in Kenya; Once the word of the expedition’s plans Cornell’s Series III - which he has owned for over his advice and counsel have been invaluable and became public, Ladden and Paul Shumway, 20 years. Jim Leach, an applications technician he will coordinate any emergency transfers or Nashua, NH, received over 50 applications from from New York City, and Wilson Bullard, an shipments for the expedition. 12 countries. They needed experienced off-road- investment banker from Boston, MA, will ride in While every plan is subject to change, the ers willing to upgrade their vehicles to expedition Leach’s rebuilt late II-A. Leach will serve as the group will seek to complete 140 miles a day. “It’s levels. “We needed people who could work expedition’s chief photographer. very difficult to plan,” Mike Ladden stated. together and be together constantly. Our final Shane Bellensky, a “continuing college stu- “We’ve had to change the route four times selections included people who were fairly local dent” from Redding, CA, and Ed Messenger, already because of political conditions. It’s

coil,” I asked. “I don’t know” came the reply, “It asked him to check for the carbon button in the Land Rover doesn’t have a label.” inside center of the cap. “There isn’t one,” he For those of you who may not be aware, a reported. The button had fallen out of the cap; Land Rover Genuine Parts Land Rover Genuine coil is internally ballasted (it without it, the rotor can’t function effectively. We has a certain amount of resistance built in). sent him a distributor cap and the car started Snaps - Why It Matters Without this resistance, the vehicle will start and instantly. run, but during extended engine run times the Just yesterday, a customer reported that his By Dave Sangerhausen points will become hot enough to stick together, aftermarket gas tank on his Series II-A had or in this case melt. This type of coil can be used sprung a leak. “It’s my second tank in three For those who may be new to the world of Land to get you out of trouble, but can’t be used as a years,” he said. The tank seemed to have the Rovers, there is a difference between Land Rover permanent replacement. right dimensions but Genuine Parts and their alternatives. This situa - Not surprisingly, the parts clearly did not have tion might help explain the distinction. store simply listed the the same build quali- Not long ago I received a call from a Series part as compatible for a ty. “This time I’m Land Rover owner who was on a cross-country Land Rover 4-cylinder buying a Land Rover trek through the southern portion of the U.S. engine - without the criti- gas tank,” he con- The Rover had stopped running for the second cal technical information. cluded. time on the journey and he was calling from a To help him out, It’s these seem- hotel in Texas for some technical advice. After we sent an overnight ingly small, but criti- walking him through the standard “no-start” package containing a cal, differences that diagnostic procedures he said he would give Land Rover Genuine coil GENUINE PARTS make Genuine Parts a them a try and get back with me in a little while. and new set of points better choice for your After about an hour he called back to say arriving Land Rover. there was no spark at the coil wire and that it the next day. I didn’t hear from him again until Remember that distributor cap? Compare the appears as though the points had melted. He then he arrived home to confirm the solution. strength of the spring on the carbon button, or proceeded to say that this was the same problem In another instance, a customer had pur - the quality of the contacts for the spark plug he had experienced about 250 miles earlier, and chased an aftermarket distributor cap for his wires between Genuine Parts and aftermarket he was getting frustrated because he had installed Series II-A. One morning after a heavy rainstorm, parts. Whether the aftermarket supplier has the a new coil and points at the beginning of his trip. his car wouldn’t start. He removed the cap to right information about the part, or whether the As soon as I had heard the words “new coil” the spray the points and the inside of the cap to parts are truly built to the same quality levels, Jack Belden, Nantucket, MA, offers his dog as Rover solution to his problem came charging at me like remove moisture. He snapped the cap back in matters to you when you want you Land Rover to the bulls in Pamplona. “What type of coil did of the Month. Our “Dog Of The Month Contest” is place and it still wouldn’t start. It seemed to have run reliably and for a long time. still running and we would like to see your Land you install?” I inquired. “A regular 4-cylinder no spark. Again, the aftermarket cap was a clue. I coil” was the reply. “What brand of 4-cylinder Rover dog too - so keep those photos wagging. © 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m Miller furniture ad that features a Discover Series II in the background. Also intriguing is a verse from an Ellis Paul song that includes a “Range Rover.” Bill Rice, Columbus, GA, heard a lyric line on Land Rovers in the Housemartins song “I Can’t Put My Finger on It.” A Sighter named “Richie Zap,” with a Dormobile in pieces, found a poem by Richard Stoddard that actually uses “Dormobile” in the poem [how come my poems in English class that used “Land Rover” in them always got F’s? - ed]. *Alyssa Parlin, Philadelphia, PA, found an The coveted Rovers North Sightings Mug unusual locale for a Sighting - Florida Design maga- zine. A Series III 109” appears in an article for home t’s a cruel, cruel winter’s day as I sit down to SIGHTINGS theaters. *Dr. Stephen Hathcock, Little Rock, AR, pour through the bags of Sightings that have found a Series III 109” in a Yahoo Photo Contest ad poured into our offices. The wind howls, the an 88” Series SW and a Rovers North sticker! A Series *Ed Mallon, Brant Rock, MA, Peter King, in his American Airlines In Flight magazine. I snow billows outside, the wood stove’s barely III appears in a Napapijri clothing ad found in Signal Mountain, TN, Jon Cohen, Phoenixville, PA Dale Knapp, Marshville, NC, spotted a Discovery etches the cold. Fortunately, I have dozens and Continental Airline’s Blue magazine, according to and Brad Crittenden, Pittsboro, NC, spotted a Series Series II in an article on adventure racing; “the dozens of Sightings to pour through and warm me *Greg Pollack, Atlantic Highlands, NJ. Once again, Land Rover in The Learning Channel’s Junkyard Wars. Discovery is not used in the event, but depicts the up. With Land Rover images everywhere these days, Greg, along with *Mike Bassett, Wilderville, OR The key to this Sighting was that the junkyard vehicle, lifestyle of the participants,” wrote Dale. we wanted to recognize as many of you eager Sighters notes that Patagonia’s latest catalogue features a a Rover diesel, started right up and became an Anna Bradke, Niskayuna, NY, found an open as possible. Congratulations to all the new Land green Defender 110, too. *Kevin Thayer, Abingdon, amphibious vehicle. Brian Lang, Los Angeles, CA, topped Series Rover in a travel ad for AAdvantage. Rover owners who join us each issue. VA, spotted a Defender in a Lincoln Financial Group found a Defender on an old episode of Outer Limits. Shawn Black, Ivorytown, CT, spied a Land Rover on As always, it’s important for rookies to review the ad on the Discovery Channel. The ad featured a Clint Ragan, Fairbanks, AK, found a limestone 109” the cover of Patrick Taylor’s Northern Ireland book, rules for Sightings - and it wouldn’t hurt if some vet- female medical resident in a remote area - “some- in the premier episode of Ed. * Gail Nolan, Boise, Pray For Us Sinners. As Shawn wrote, “ it is amusing erans would take a look again, too. where only a Rover could survive.” ID, spotted a Hostess commercial in which a rhino to see Land Rovers dressed up with youthful exuber- International Motorsport’s catalogue would seem charges a Rover, mistaking the front tire on the hood ance to sell bikinis and beer; the strength of this Rule # 1 - All Sightings receive recognition and our to have a lot of vehicles to choose from, but it’s a for a Twinkee. *Rob Modica, Tucson, AZ, Brain sighting is that Land Rovers have and cotinue to be appreciation, but not necessarily a mug. We reward Series II-A that actually makes it in, according to Ron Riley, Minneapolis, MN, and Jeff Bridges, Littleton, used to assist in keeping people safe, whether mili- only those Sightings that capture the unique qualities Ward, Columbus, GA and John Oswald, Asheville, CO, spied a Series I in a cell phone ad for Qwest. Jeff tary or civilian in nature. Cheers to the Land Rover.” of Land Rovers and their owners, and display them in NC, who has returned to the fold with the recent pur- also spotted Land Rover featured prominently in a *Certainly bikinis worked for Woman’s Fitness maga- a unique way. chase of Series II-A. No doubt shopping for the Learning Channel story on the Great Train Robbery in zine, which featured a lovely, scantily clad woman in woman in his life, *Harry Edwards, Tampa, FL, England. an open topped 88” with surfboard and dog. Rule #2 - If your Sighting does not really surprise spotted a handsome II-A in the Dooney and Bourke In all the news that’s fit to print, *Robert you, it won’t surprise us, either, and you won’t get a catalogue [psst- Harry, if there isn’t one in your life, Wolkschlager, Mystic, CT, age 8, found a photo in mug. We’re delighted, but not surprised, that Land buy one for *Sheila Simmon, Austin, TX. She spot- the Hartford Courant featuring a Defender 110 Rovers appear in British television programmes, ted the same ad]. Kevin Healy, Massapequa Park, Palestinian police vehicle in flames. On a brighter British publications, films with British themes, and NY, wrote with pride of a Sighting in the fall L. L. note, the auto editor of the Courant managed to shows and publications about Africa. You shouldn’t Bean catalogue [“not Victoria’s Secrets!,” he cadge a Range Rover for a road test [“Beauty of a Winners: be surprised, either, and should consider looking for exclaimed], which sadly, we ran in the last issue. Beast”]. He also found a Discovery Series II bringing Mike Coleman Dale Knapp other ways to get a coffee mug. *Rovers returned to the J. Crew catalogue, reports up the rear over the London Bridge behind the Presidio, TX Marshville, NC Dr. David Hartzell, Mechanicsburg, PA. And world’s oldest marathoner, according to the Guinness Rule #3 - At an ever-changing date before publica- *Bradkes in Niskayuna, NY, will rejoice that Daniel’s Book of Records. None of these Sightings warrant a Brian Riley Dr. Stephen tion, we close off the Sightings. If we’ve mentioned Minneapolis, MN Hathcock Sighting, an ad in CQ Amateur Radio magazine featur- mug [see rule #2] but his drawings of Dad’s 109” Little Rock, AR the Sighting in an earlier issue, we won’t mention it ing a Discovery, will take a “replacement” mug. and a Stage I were gems, and a mug is on the way. David Hartzell, MD again. If you’re new to the family of Land Rover *Mike Coleman, Presidio, TX, spotted a Series II-A Charles Copeland, Menlo, GA, age 5, found a Mechanicsburg, PA Alyssa Parlin enthusiasts, you may not have seen your Sighting in prominently featured in an ad for Red Oxx outdoor nice 109” Hi Cap Fire Truck in “Cutaway Fire Philadelphia, PA an earlier issue. Jeff Bridges gear. Fighters.” His father, Scott, spotted a Range Rover in Littleton, CO Harry Edwards Jon Cohen, Phoenixville, PA, spotted Land an Honda Outboard Motor catalogue; problem is that Tampa, FL Rule #4 - We’re not outfitting your kitchen. If you Rovers in two movies that we’ve mentioned in years it’s a British catalogue where you’d expect to find a Ed Mallon qualify, one mug per Sighting per issue. past: Stand By Me and A Walk With Lions.” John Range Rover for emphasis. Daniel Bradke, Brant Rock, MA Sheila Simmons Doub, Hixson, TN, saw Defenders in the out takes Niskayuna, NY, age 11, was doing his homework Austin, TX Rule #5 - Sightings that are Land Rover references in Brad Crittenden from Jurrasic Park video set. Brian Lang, Los when he saw a Series Rover rear door in his social Pittsboro, NC Mike Bassett books go to our Literary Land Rover editor for men- Angeles, CA, notes that the “bad guys” in Charlie’s studies textbook. Steve Bradke, Niskayuna, NY, spot- Wilderville, OR tion, but only when space permits. Angels drive a black Defender 90 soft top. Adam ted a Range Rover Classic on the cover of the East Jon Cohen Pearsall, Bradford, VT, spotted a MOD Series III Hampton Independent. Kevin Thayer, Abingdon, VA, Phoenixville, PA Jack and Belen Hayes Rule #6 - Psst... if we can’t read you name and Nantucket, MA 109” in a Jackie Chan movie. found Hank Williams, Jr., posing in front of his mili- Daniel Bradke address because of atrocious penmanship, we can’t Television programs and ads love the visual tary lightweight in a Country Weekly article entitled Niskayuna, NY David Thodal recognize your Sighting nor send you a mug. Psst...E- impact of Land Rovers, too. Keith Armstrong, West “Life in the Slow Lane.” Belgrade, MT mail submissions - remember we can’t send a mug by Des Moines, IA, spotted a Series I in a Vehix.com *Chris Nestor, Melrose, WI, joins Jon Gail Nolan e-mail. Send us your real name and shipping address, Boise, ID Jon McCarthy television ad. Greg Pollack, Atlantic Highlands, NJ, McCarthy, Lake Lucerne, NY, and his son Liam, age Lake Lucerene, NY too. notes that Lincoln Financial uses a Defender 110 in a 2, in reporting a Discovery Series II as a top prize in Rob Modica third world setting in one of their ads. B. J. the McDonald’s “Win on the Spot” game. The Tucson, AZ Robert Woklschlager Rule #7 - Grudgingly, very grudgingly, the Editor Montgomery, Summerville, GA, spotted a Discovery Riverbanks Zoo near Irmo, SC, has added a Series II Mystic, CT admits he might make an error. Let me know if you Series I in an Ireland scene of “Relic Hunter.” Peter to the African Plains exhibit, according to Greg Kevin Thayer Abingdon, VA think you’ve been jobbed, but all decisions of the Ron Ward Hope, Aiea, HI, spotted a Series Rover on a CNN Edwards, Irmo, SC. In an unusual Sighting, *David Columbus, GA Editor are final. story about western US wildfires. In a two-part Thodal, Belgrade, MT, found an old-style trading Peter King episode of JAG, Peter King, Signal Mountain, TN, card with a serialized story including Land Rovers Signal Mountain, TN Kent Welsh To start the new year, we must report that EVERYONE spotted 101’s masquerading as Russian army trucks. from a Fortune Tea Company box. Another unusual West Des Moines, IA saw the photo of Madonna and Guy Ritchie stepping Greg Coffman Leslie Bright, Church Hill, TN, and Charles and Sighting is that of Charles Despotopulo, Clinton, Coshocton, OH Keith Armstrong into a Range Rover on their way to their “secret” Laura Aftosmis, Greensburg, PA, spotted the interi- MA, who found two Range Rovers used in a video West Des Moines, IA wedding. No mentions, no mugs. Also, give Kevin or of a Discovery during a scene of Will and Grace. arcade game called Silent Scope 2: Dark Silhouette. Christopher Nestor Thayer, Abingdon, VA, credit for reporting on the theft Nice to recognize them, but we’re not certain that the *Jack and Belen Hayes, Nantucket, MA, send Melrose, WI Greg Pollack Atlantic Highlands, NJ and recovery of that very same Range Rover. Land Rover made a difference in the show. Brian us ads in their local newspaper, The Inquirer and Advertisers know that Land Rovers bring prestige Lang, Los Angeles, CA, spotted a Defender 90 SW on Mirror, from off-island dealers, such as Land Rover to their products. *Kent Welsh, West Des Moines, the series The Street; he watched it for a good 5 min- Peabody, filled with Defenders, and even one by the 4 IA, spotted a NEMA clothing ad in Bike magazine with utes. x 4 Center. What lands them a mug is a Herman

© 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m Dear Editor, had not received an issue for a and the “how to” articles, no matter how Dear Rovers North, Just thought I’d give the Sightings mug a quest after few years. I thought it had basic. Just a quick not to say I really like the Rovers North receiving the Fall 2000 Rovers North News. Specifically, been discontinued. Silly Richard Fenwick, Grove City, OH News that I receive. It’s a good mix of stories, parts for the submission from Surfers Journal pushed me over me. sale, and useful information. Keep up the good work; I the edge. I actually met Randy in Barbados in 1984 at a David Thodal, Belsrade, [Dave reminds us all “there are no appreciate it. party (but that’s another story). I got hooked on Land MT such things as stupid questions.” As for Mel Verhein (‘93 Range Rover County LWB) Rover when I worked and surfed overseas, in the early your Fairey overdrive, they usually ‘80’s, in the oil patch in Scotland, Zaire, and Angola. Letters to give a lot of warning - such as [Thank you, Mel, for your compliments. We strive to Always wanted one. Upon my return to the States, did [Since we never know who might leave the Rover world popping out of engagement under make the News a part of the complete Land Rover the Land Cruiser, Scrambler, Trooper thing but always the Editor load and great bearing noise - enthusiast experience - ed.] kept my eye open for a Land Rover. from year to year, we do review the mailing list annually. Glad to hear before they give up the ghost. Your ______P ______Anyway, I’ve been a confirmed Rover junkie since admonition is a good one; carry - 1995 when my wife and I sold the Trooper and bought a you’re still enjoying the Rovers North Greetings! News -ed.] ing the final gear and transmis - used 1988 Range Rover from a local dealer. ‘Twas nir- sion backing plate for 6 years The people of Rovers North are phenomenal. On April ______P ______vana. That one gave way to our current 1993 LWB Range paid off when my overdrive need - 29, 2000, I was in Burlington on business, so I decided Rover, a former lease car (purchased in 1996) when Hi Folks, ed replacement on the road. As for the ECU codes, to drive to Westford in the afternoon in my ‘67 II-A for our son was on his way. We still wanted to travel with you’ll see an article soon in the Rovers North News some parts (a quick tune up - plugs, wires, distributor “toys” (surfboards, mountain bikes, boat, camping gear, I wish to thank you for everything and hope to visit your showroom soon in our 1994 Land Rover Discovery. about these codes and an article on overdrive main - cap and rotor. I purchased the aforementioned, as well etc.) and Tara, our Brittany spaniel. We loved the 1988 tenance and repair. In the meantime, Rovers North as converters for the new type windshield wiper arms Range Rover and this one was even better for our family. Jon McCarthy, Lake Luzerne, NY does have the factory workshop manuals for the ‘87- and new Bosch wipers (definitely worth it). I did the We escaped to the UK for a week before our son was ’88 Range Rovers -ed.] tune up in the parking lot and drove off (while I was born, and the Series bug bit me again. One is never [We enjoy meeting all our customers, Jon. I know ______P ______working on the Rover the shop closed for the day). enough, so when I found a 1972 Series III last year ( to you’ll have a scenic drive -ed.] Well, Lucas parts being what they are occasionally, I fulfill my original yearning from overseas) in the local ______P ______Dear Rovers North, made it about 1/2 mile. Loss of power. BIG backfire. paper, and “needing work,” my wife thought I was nuts. Just a quick note to thank you for such a fine product. And then, nothing. So I started troubleshooting...had I Anyway, I’m still married and East Coast Rover in Dear Rovers North, Les Parker did an excellent job of assessing my II-A jogged this wire or that? Was a new part faulty? They Warren, ME, soted the frame and bulkhead, and it’s a I am writing this to you because I have an eight-year old 109” roof rack needs and chose the right company for LOOKED ok...and how can you mess up a rotor? Then, daily driver. boy who has been sending you Sightings and has been the job. As an Antique Home Restoration specialist, I since I was so close to Rovers North, I started walking Hey, that was great therapy. You should charge for recognized in you newspaper. He eats and drinks and can appreciate both the aesthetic and functional merits back to pick their brains for a while, IF I could find this! worships Land Rovers 24 hours a day. He can take apart of your products. It sure gives me pleasure just to view anyone after hours. As I walked into the parking lot, an engine and put it back together. He has two disap- Greg Pollack, Atlantic Highlands, NJ it on the vehicle! Dave Sangerhausen, his wife and child drove up in their pointments; one is that he’s too young to drive a Land white Range Rover. I explained what had happened, and Rover and the second one is that he hasn’t received a Jonathan Detwiler, Norwell, MA [No need to explore “youthful indiscretions”, as he very graciously (as he was off work) offered me a Land Rover mug yet. mentioned by our new President. Many Land Rover ride back to my Rover and to help me look it over. How many eight-year-olds do you know who read [We hope that you enjoy using your II-A , with its Series owners add a Range Rover Classic to their Rovers North roof rack, for many years to come -ed.] First, we looked at all the new parts (I had already Land Rover manuals instead of Harry Potter books? tried switching out the distributor caps and wires) and automotive stable, and many Range Rover owners ______P ______admire the ingenious engineering of the Series Rover . Carol Wolkschlager, Mystic, CT used my voltmeter to check things...after a half hour or Let’s see, Lucy in “Peanuts” charges 5 cents when the Dear Rovers North, so, we switched out the rotors...and the Rover coughed psychiatrist is “in” -ed.] [Your son is clearly on the right track for success, We just wanted to thank everyone for your support of to life! Apparently the rotor was a bit too short. Dave ______P ______fame and fortune. Tell him that the Harry Potter the Labour Day Rally 2000. Peter and I have enjoyed test drove my Rover (he also has a Series II-A) and we series is quite good, even if they don’t cover Lucas putting together this event for the past two years, and discussed my Rover, and then he even helped me adjust Dear Editor, ignitions - although I’m thinking of turning to them have decided to step back for a break. After thinking my carburetor (all while his VERY patient wife waited in I own a 1971 Series II-A 88” Land Rover. I use this vehi - to explain my wiring gremlins. As for the mug, check rally non-stop, and doing nothing by rally stuff from the Rangie). cle everyday to drive 25 miles to work. On any given day the Sightings -ed.] June on every year, we are ready for some time off. W e It is because of the knowledgeable, dedicated and I can be greeted with a thumbs up sign of approval from ______P ______sincerely hope that next year’s organizers continue to outstanding individuals like Dave Sangerhausen who a driver of a Porsche, Pontiac, Ford or Fiat. Anyone with make this the best event in Eastern Canada. work at Rovers North that I will continue to happily an appreciation for automotive design and function can - Dear Rovers North, order parts from Rovers North. Thank you again, Dave! I stopped sending in Sightings a couple of years ago out Julie and Peter Rosvall, Wolfeboro, Nova Scotia, CANADA not ignore the Land Rover. Adam Pearsall, Johnsburg, NY of frustration; seems there are others out there who get to the good Sightings first. As my wife will agree, a new [Congratulations on your very successful rallies and Regards, [We’ve shared your kind words with Dave, who in shower curtain or throw rug at home might go unno- their part on the growth of MORE (Maritimes Shawn Black. Ivorytown, CT turn, shared them with his patient wife and child. ticed by me for 6 months, I can pick out the lower left Organization of Rover Enthusiasts). As with the Rovers North staff members are Rover owners and quarter panel of a 109” in a split second commercial Ottawa Valley Land Rovers, Toronto Area Rover Club, [Well stated, Shawn. It’s good to know that some enthusiasts; meeting and helping customers and from 500 yards - effortlessly. Club de Land-Rovers du Quebec, and others, Connecticut drivers acknowledge fine engineering enthusiasts make the job fun. Good luck with your I hope this is not misconstrued as some cheap flat- Canadian clubs set a high standard for clubs inter - design -ed.] II-A and visit us again -ed.] tery tactic to prompt you to send me one of those nice nationally. For 2001, just enjoy your Rally! -ed.] ______P mugs, but of all the parts houses available, Rovers North ______P ______P Sirs, is the best. In the 2.5 year I have owned and operated Dear Mark, my ‘65 II-A 88”, and now the NAS Defender 110, the Dear Rovers North, Just wanted to let you know that Cooper Technica here I love your new Rovers North News layout. Your new Yesterday, I received the Land Rover Owner’s Guide in Chicago recently replaced my ‘64 II-A’s seat box that staff at Rovers North has come to my rescue on many from Rovers North. Having owned 32 cars, including occasions. I delight in calling to ask questions or just graphic designer really seems to have a good feel for deteriorated in about 8 years from the dreaded local the subject matter. three Series Land Rovers and one Range Rover 4.0, I winter road salt. One could poke one’s finger right place an order. With the holidays closing in on us, I am have been “exposed” to a number of owner’s guides through it near the sills. Cooper also substituted the sta- certain you will be hearing from my wife, Melinda, Nick Jacobs, New York, NY and parts catalogues. However, your Guide is the best tion wagon’s hard top with tropical roof for a new tail- about that raised air intake and bonnet mounted spare one I have ever seen with respect to design, ease of gate and soft top - all bits purchased from Rovers North. kit I have been hinting about. [That would be Thompson Smith, our California car explanation, and exploded part diagrams. You make I think to soft top is great except one is aware of a lot Ron Ward, Columbus, GA guy, who arrived all wrapped up in Porsches and owning a Land Rover a piece of cake for maintenance. more engine and drive train noise! He also replaced the Audis. Now, he’s the proud owner of a 1994 Defender Although I no longer own a Series Land Rover I look center front seat with a lockable console that hides, [Sightings operate under strict rules; while every 90, #753. We’ve enjoyed the clean, exciting layouts forward to your mailings if for no other reason that to among other things, the radio. Sighting doesn’t warrant a mug, every Sighting has that he’s brought to all of our publications and web reminisce. site -ed.] Now I need to come up with a clever place to our appreciation. It’s terrific to read of your enthusi - Tom La Manna [via email] mount the speakers. We’re currently awaiting the arrival asm for Land Rovers; I’d love to add a Defender 110 ______P ______of the new seat belts (to replace the original Irvin to my Series Rover! I hope Santa Claus heard from Dear Rovers North, [Thanks for your observations, Tom. We hope that ones). My co-pilot thinks the “Serious” Rover is enough Melinda and that the Defender now sports a raised I called in a panic on Monday because my tailpipe had the Owners Guide and Rovers North News can entice of death trap as it is, and without seat belts, she likes it air intake and a spare tire kit -ed.] just falled of my Defender 90. I’m leaving on vacation you to return to Land Rovers one day -ed.] even less - unless she needs something hauled, that it. ______P ______Thursday for Martha’s Vineyard. Mike [Searfoss] helped ______P ______Next scheduled improvement is an electronic ignition; me out, got my NRP exhaust shipped out by the next the current, standard one cuts out at about 3,000 rpm. Dear Rovers North, Dear Rovers North, I have one issue and one question for you. I need to day, and I just picked up the truck in time to pack. Glenn Shriver, Chicago, IL Sounds great! Just a note to thank you for your new catalog. I own a clear up a rather stupid phone call to Dave 1973 Series III 88”. This is the best put-together catalog Sangerhausen about “pop goes the axle.” The Series Phenomenal Service!!!!! [Your Rover’s enhancements sound very fetching, I have seen in a long time. Thank you! I look forward to stopped in the driveway, would not move, pulled axles, Brian McNally, Clinton, MA Glenn. A soft top arrangement can make your Rover doing business with you. Also, thank you for your 10% checked for neutral at levers, drained oil transmission seem like a new car; I enjoy swapping out my safari incentive. It’s a good way to start off the New Year. I will and a piece of something fell out. I removed the trans- [Can’t have you going to “the Vineyard” with a top for a soft top every summer. A standard Lucas review my “want list” for my Series III. mission complete with the overdrive. I started to take it tacky-sounding Land Rover - you might not have distributor, in good condition and with points, con - apart and found the overdrive main gear (with its small been allowed aboard the ferry! We’re delighted that Stephen Homer, Santa Barbara, CA denser, rotor, cap and wires in similar shape, should thin teeth) with a lot of wear. So, anyone still using the we could help and appreciate your kind comments. not cut out at all. Before you make the change, check overdrive needs to carry the [original final] gear and Let us know what you think of your NRP system, too [Congratulations on your Series III, Steve, and the point gap and rotor, and renew if necessary -ed.] tools to remove the overdrive and convert back to the -ed.] thanks for your comments on the Rovers North ______P ______original drive to become mobile again - or an AAA card. ______P ______Owners Guide. We’ve been very pleased with the Dear Rovers North, Also, how are owners of the 1987-88 Range Rovers response to our 10% Winter Incentive sale, too. Keep What a surprise to receive a new Rovers North catalogue supposed to get the codes short of changing the ECU to us informed about your life with your Land Rover - and find a Rovers North News stuck inside. Thank you. I a 1990? I do like the Rovers North News improvements ed.]

© 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m Viva, con’t. It’s All Your Fault, con’ t in it once. ture in a U-Haul behind Old C. It was July, and sands of adventure tour leaders to the city and the Half way through this stint I got sent for a you’ve just not been Land Roving till you’ve dealership, and Ray listened to many safari guides paradise! The desert had been grand and vast, year’s school in Alabama, and towed an apart- climbed the grade past Cima Dome in the Mojave, insist that they would only use Land Rovers in but it took 4 or 5 hours of punishment to get out ment’s worth of stuff in a U-Haul behind it and 105 degrees F, 35 mph full throttle, dragging a their work. of Los Angeles, and now we’d be a mere hour’s then back to Colorado. Mercifully, my route trailer, watching the oil temp head for never- Dinardi came to the automotive world in 1980 spin from some of the best tracks in the world. stayed on generally lightly traveled roads across before-explored territory. But the water temp from the airplane business, and after stints with Saturn We fell in with the Solihull Society and were in the rural south - I didn’t mind the glacial acceler- barely budged and the only thing overheating was and Honda dealerships, has found the Land Rover the mountains nearly every weekend from spring ation, but the drum brakes and 1200 lb of U-Haul my foot against the uninsulated firewall. world “a lot more intimate. I really enjoy the close to fall. The climbing induced us to set aside the gave you that locomotive feeling about stopping So here we are again in Los Angeles. The relationship with customers, our sales guides and tech- “fru-fru” radial tyres and shod it with bias ply distance. While in Alabama I finally succumbed to Disco is way too seductive for the long haul out of nicians, and Land Rover North America.” Indeed, for the opening, Land Rover North America representatives Firestone 750x16 SAT’s - bulletproof and capable vanity and scrubbed all the old paint off for a re- L.A. now, but “Old C” remains my commuter car Jed Tallman from Colorado and Monica Norstrand spray of bronze green for the body tub and lime- and gets the occasional run into the local hills of running on 5 psi of air, if any at all. Old C from Texas both attended the event. took us over all the great stuff: Pearl, Schofield, stone for the top. Now it really looked sharp, and desert. We have found a Southern California With the nearest Land Rover dealer hundreds of Black Bear passes, up to Iron Chest mine, down even winning some ribbons in British car shows. Series club to keep it company. miles west in southern California, or north in Reno or Red Cone and over Radical Hill. It started earn- We had a few foreign officers in this school, and While we don’t claim to be the most over-the- Salt Lake City, Dinardi has come to know the enthusi- ing another name too - “Old Vapor Locker”. I a Kenyan Air Force Colonel was a particularly top Land Rover fanatics we know, guests mention asts in the local club, the Land Rover Club of Las could have changed the carb, but I had a full set good friend. He’d asked me to take him out dri- they can’t go more than a page in our photo Vegas, quite well. The group meets monthly and has of high altitude jets for the Solex and eventually ving in the country in it, said it reminded him of album without encountering some trail or camp grow rapidly. The enthusiasm affects the dealership, figured out a higher-pressure fuel pump cured his ranch outside Nairobi. Back in Colorado we run in one or the other of our Land Rovers. And too. They have purchased a handsome ‘68 Series II-A most of it. Never broke an axle, but Iron Chest took possession of a new ‘95 Disco, 5 speed, no while we’ve long since quit photographing the 88” SW for display at the Centre; eerily, it came out of probably caused the demise of the overdrive frills. Rover every obstacle we encounter on the trail, it Roswell, NM. How did it get there? Where did it come splines. Pulled out the box and did without for But while the warranty was still valid on the does show up just continually in the record of from? I mean, I saw Independence Day, too! With only the rest of the days in the mountains, no worries. Disco, the 88” is what we took on the trail. At our 15 years of adventure together. It has taken 51,000 miles and no salted roads to cause frame cor- Solihull Society’s rallies were (and still are) the 100,000 miles, I had the increasingly tired 7:1 us on the very best of adventures, and been the rosion, it’s a gem that fascinated the hundreds who highest of adventure, whether at Ouray, head engine rebuilt. The 8:1 compression and pretext for meeting the very most interesting peo- turned out that opening night. Breckenridge, or Crested Butte. When the Air hardened valve seats put remarkable new power ple. We are delighted to see how Rovers North Equally fine was a Series III Carawagon under Force sent me away during some of them, Sue and longer life back into “Old Contemptible.” has grown and stayed true to the spirit, because restoration at a nearby shop. It came from enthusiast went herself. I figured out how to rig a cot inside Alas, the Air Force caught us loving life too this is all your fault! Robert Davis, Chesapeake, VA [come to think of it, that can be eerie, too - ed.] and seemed great mechanical- the 88” so I could sleep without needing a tent much in Colorado and shipped us back to Los Sincerely, Neil McCasland when hunting, and hauled a quartered elk home Angeles for the third time. I drove out for a few ly . The work underway would restore the fantastic weeks ahead, again pulling rooms full of furni- crank top and camping gear inside. It was refreshing to see familiar Series vehicles at a Land Rover dealer- sh i p . during a test drive made those figures seem accurate. Darlene and Bernie Elvin are new owners who Sales Guides and service technicians took turns on Viva Las Vegas ARB air lockers front and rear should get him out of have longed for a Land Rover. “To us,” Darlene the extra long, extra side-sloped test track, leaving most situations, but if not, there’s a 10,000 lb explained, “the Land Rover is really the original 4 x 4. many wide-eyed passengers behind on each trip. If By Jeffrey B. Aronson Superwinch hydraulic PTO driven winch and a Certainly it’s the best.” They’ve competed in team rop- you’ve never been in a Discovery that’s heeled over at portable gas powered winch in the car. Running out ing and barrel racing in rodeos together; Bernie is a 45 degrees, all the while listening to the Sales Guide I found myself with a choice one week in January. west, it’s smart to have a Safari Gard rock slider kit and retired helicopter officer with the Las Vegas Police note the slickness of the track due to near-f r e e z i n g Either indulge in the adult [?] fantasy that gorgeous skid plates to protect the undersides. He’s moved the Department; Darlene worked at the Mirage for many temperatures, then you’d be aghast, too. women and gambling winnings awaited me inside a air intake to a telescopic snorkel on the drivers side years. They found their ‘83 Range Rover Classic in a The evening provided me the chance to meet and fake Eiffel Tow e r , Great Pyramid, Treasure Island or fe n d e r , and moved the CPU into the center console. newspaper advertisement. It seems that a certain wife speak with Dennis Casebier, a former US Navy govern- Hollywood studio, or go off-roading in real snow-cov- Th e r e ’ s a custom bumper, a custom spare tire carrier, told a certain husband to get “that car” out of the ment scientist who, with his wife Jo Ann, helped create ered mountains. I figured that since Elvis had left the numerous driving lights, and even an electronic radio garage, or else. The ad lasted one day when the hus- and continues to promote the Friends of the Mojave building, better enjoy the off-roading. antenna on the passen- Road, a non-profit organization that protects, supports, The business trip [honest!] that sent me to Las ge r ’ s side. If something and provides education on this desert trail. It is an Vegas also placed me in the middle of the fabled Las breaks on the trial, the af fi liate of the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Vegas Strip. Vast concrete lagoons housed pirate ships; car has an electric Association [www.mdhcs.org]; together, the two orga- elevated tramways whisked you from faux Egypt to faux we l d e r . nizations build appreciation and awareness of the his- It a l y . The Strip also featured routine parades of Range “I don’t enjoy work- torical, geological and cultural importance of the Rovers and Discoverys - and at least one Defender 90 - ing on it myself,” Carl Mojave Desert. Dennis has published two books on the from hotel guests to the locals from the ever-b u r g e o n - states. “I figured out that trail, Guide to the East Mojave Heritage Trail, and ing population. It’s not surprising that Nevada grew the someone else could do it Mojave Road Guide: An Adventure Through Time, and most in the 2000 census, or that Las Vegas can barely quicker and better.” That Jo Ann serves as Editor of the 10-issue per year Mojave house its sprawling population. Happily, I found myself someone is Wayne Agee, Road Report. amidst a wonderful group of Land Rover enthusiasts now a technician at Land Their 4 x 4’s have never included a Rover, but amongst the throng. Rover Las Vegas. The Scouts and IH trucks made up the fun fleet - and The leader of the pack seemed to be Carl Vol k m a r , results are neat, well-laid they’re appreciative of Carl Vol k m a r ’ s Land Rovers. whose custom Defender 90 SW became my home dur- out, and professionally With over 800 members worldwide, they’ve undertak- ing my last day in the city. As we drove westward to completed. en the critical tasks of keeping access while protecting Sunrise Pass and Frenchman’s Mountain, Carl remem- His wife of 33 years, Carl Volkmar poses with his very capable Defender 90 the heritage of this desert. “I’m into the history of the bered arriving in Las Vegas from Chicago in 1962 to El e a n o r , used to go off desert and cruising back roads. I learned that most 4 x work as a casino dealer at the Fremont Hotel. Wor k i n g roading with him, but she’s declined since “we once band made one last 4 owners don’t damage the environment. It’s inspiring as a dealer “insured that I didn’t stand at a gambling got stuck in the desert near the California border. I was bout of resistance and because of its effect on people. You come out of the table unless someone paid me to do it,” he noted. He following tracks and crossing ruts, when I suddenly pulled the ad. Two desert with a completely different frame of mind, started a construction company and became a major sank into deep mud. It took hours to get out - my wife weeks later, the ad socially uplifted and closer to being a Republican that commercial and residential developer in the region. had no idea how stuck we really were.” appeared anew and you were before.” Dennis has led groups along the “Off-roading was the only way I could get out of the As we approached the edges of Las Vegas County, Darlene went to see the Mojave Road for over 20 years, and will lead a limited ci t y ,” so he purchased an ‘89 Range Rover Classic; “I’d Carl pointed to a high bluff overlooking a stretch of ca r . “It’s a green Rover size group this April, 2001. read about them and they appeared to be the best to new housing. I stared at the steep, mogul-laden ascent with a perfect interior,” she said, and it will fit their I spoke with other enthusiasts at the event, such as me.” Until an illness struck him in 1996, “I nearly put - “We’re going up there,” I asked? Climb we did, and country ranch lifestyle perfectly. “We live in the moun- Jacob Cruze, Las Vegas, NV, an outdoorsman with a ‘98 more miles off road in that car than on the road in Carl added to my pleasure by moving over to the pas- tains west of Las Vegas,” Darlene noted, with “horses, Range Rover SE 4.0, who spoke of one outing so town.” Indeed, his Range Rover took part in numerous se n g e r ’ s seat and permitting me to drive. The rocky goats, cattle, dogs, and cats. We like to cross county ski extreme “the seat belts locked as the bow wave broke off road expeditions, such as the Friends of the Mojave face seemed to crumble and break under the weight of and hunt.” Their dilemma right now is that the Rover over the windshield.” Perhaps Bob Raasveld summed Road Rendevous in 1990. To Carl, “the Range Rover the Rover; occasionally you could feel the wheels has a 1980 3.5 liter engine with a fuel injection con- it up best when he noted that, as a Merrill Lyn c h was bulletproof. The only place it ever died was in a scrabble for grip on the soft surface. Carl knew his version. “The fuel injection came in a box, and it’s Financial Consultant, he knew Land Rovers were country club parking lot. I only sold it with 90,000 vehicle well and the Defender climbed, grabbed and been difficult to find the information we need to com- something special because clients called him to ask miles to buy this Defender 90 instead.” stuck the barely-visible trail without incident. To my plete the car.” They’re aiming for completion by “how much is in my account, and how fast can I And what a Defender it is! This ‘97 Defender eyes, the surface looked desolate. To Carl’s experi- Fa t h e r ’ s Day in June. withdraw it?” Station Wagon features the usual automatic transmis- enced desert eyes, the slightest rain would bring bright Pure luck put me in Las Vegas the same weekend Just before I left Las Vegas, Carl Volkmar handed sion (“I insist upon it. The last stick shift I owned was color to the otherwise camouflaged, parched flora. In as the opening of the new Land Rover Centre, Land me a piece of desert rock, full of the pinks, greys and a ‘62 Corvette.”). It also has a dual stage air compres- the distance, the higher peaks stood snow covered and Rover Las Vegas. I accepted the invitation from General purples that we never see in Maine granite. Along with sor set to 175 psi, yet with a most unusual distributor sp e c t a c u l a r . The clear blue sky gave way to a glorious Manager Ray Dinardi to graze at their new center on a huge grin and lots of pleasant Land Rover memories, set up. The balanced and blueprinted engine gives him sunset that helped this New Englander understand why the outskirts of the city. Just before the opening, the th a t ’ s all I took home from Las Vegas. Thinking it over, 0 - 60 in 12 seconds; punching it - at Carl’s insistence - 4,000 new residents move into the valley every month. Safari Club International convention had brought thou- th a t ’ s probably for the best.

© 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m Behind The L. Bean jacket, gloves and a Rovers North cap. through some slush puddles, I smelled steam rising stick; I cut it off and screwed it in as the drain plug. I “Cold,” I scoffed, “not at all. It all depends what you from underneath the car. I pulled up the center seat filled it with hypoid again and drove it around slowly. Steering Wheel mean by ‘cold.’ “ The next thing she did was to empty and the steel panel to peer under the car. The heat The unit sounded as if it were grinding rocks. her suitcase of every article of clothing and put it on; rose mightily from the overdrive. The dipstick bolt Six years ago when I first purchased an over- then, we began a long wintry drive. She was not a burned my fingers when I tried to unscrew it. My drive, I kept the original final gear and transmission happy camper. heart sank. I took a set of winch gloves to remove the back plate in a bag and placed them in the parts box People pass by driving real cars - or Range Rover dipstick and found the reservoir - gulp - empty. I took in the rear. Lying in the snow replacing an overdrive Classics or Discoverys. They don’t look like Frosty the a pint of hypoid and filled the overdrive to its limit, was not my favorite winter sport, but I bundled up Snowman in the car. They have shed their outer and then stepped out of the car to steady myself and and had the overdrive off quickly. The slowest part coats; I’ve even seen them in T-shirts. It might help if get that coffee. I peered under the car and watched a was removing the odd-sized castle nut from the end all my window tracks weren’t worn away, or if I had pool of hypoid spread itself on the ground. Carefully, of the output shaft; while it was easy to access, its replaced those scuttle vent seals I purchased last I put my hand under the overdrive and that’s when I shape means that you have a special socket [unique su m m e r , or if I had installed all the new door seals. discovered the drain plug - the one had serves as a to Series Land Rovers] or you take a drift and gently You can warm up a Series Land Rover, but you’ll drain plug for the overdrive. Sometime during the hammer away at the edges for a long time. Then you never roast in one - until summer, of course. My 450 mile drive the drain plug fell out of the overdrive remove the overdrive roller bearing, put in the fina l weekend foray in a Discovery Series II, recounted and emptied out the hypoid. The Fairey overdrive gear and lock tabs, and gently hammer the nut back elsewhere in this issue, and editing articles from uses a unique thread pattern so local replacement in again. I felt like Geppeto creating a new Pinnochio. owners of Range Rover Classics, can’t help but stimu- was out of the question, but the dipstick looked to Still, a couple of hours later, I drove the car away, late your thinking about these Land Rovers. The earli- have the identical thread pattern. The dipstick for an sans overdrive. est Range Rovers are now the same age as many overdrive is a bolt head with a tiny metal indicator Series III’s; they’ve proven their worth as go any- where, dependable, all-purpose vehicles. I might even have happier passengers. to drive to Massachusetts for an assignment, I found By Jeffrey B. Aronson Series II Series myself stuffed into a loaner, a Discovery Series II. ______P ______During the drive south, I discovered, if you’ll par- By Jeffrey B. Aronson If you love Land Rovers, you love England. Not all It ’ s been one of those years for the QE I, my ‘66 don the pun, that when your senses are not assaulted by Nancy Bennett is the soon-to-be General Manager of the things British, but England itself. In a motel room one Series II-A. Back in the fall, I took a date to dinner in noise, temperature, glare, and excessive yawing, you soon-to-be Land Rover Bedford [NH]. While training at can really hear yourself think. I spent much of the trip night, I started Bill Bryson’s Notes From a Small the ‘66 II-A. Gallantly, I even put the soft top back up Land Rover Scarborough in Maine, she took stock of wondering whether the two Series model designations Island. He noted that “there are certain idiosyncratic for the ride. “We’re going in THAT,” she asked notions you quietly come to accept when you live in me seated in the leather comfort of a 2000 Discovery really differ that greatly. incredulously? I answered her suavely that the Queen Series II. “Think of it this way,” she said,” you’re really I’ve compared the two cars feature to feature; while England for a long time..one is that Britain is a large of England had several Land Rovers, “just like this pl a c e . ” just going from one Series II to another.” they might use different technology, the Land Rover one.” Well, truthfully, the Queen’s probably had less You see, the entire situation upset me. My Series II- He continues that “if you mention in a pub that Series II and the Discovery Series II have great similari- duct tape on the seats and fewer event decals on the A had managed to unscrew the drain plug from its you intend to drive from, say, Surrey to Cornwall, a ties. Surprised? To aid you in this analysis, I’ve pre- windshield. It might carry fewer tools to rattle over Fairey overdrive - all by itself - and dump its gear oil pared the following chart: distance that most Americans would happily drive to every bump. Her door tops might not wave in the onto I- 95 in southern Maine [see accompanying article get a taco, your companions will puff their cheeks, wind, either. However, this was a Land Rover, too. We - ed]. Think “Exxon Valdez” in miniature. As I needed look knowingly at each other, and blow out air as if conversed at that special decibel level reserved for to say, ‘Well, now, that’s a bit of a tall order,’ and then Series Rover owners and jackhammer operators. I Feature/OptionDiscovery Series II Original Land Rover Series II & II-A they’ll launch into a lively and protracted discussion shifted into overdrive. I heard a gentle whine from of whether it’s better to take the A30 to Stockbridge Se a t i n g 5 standard; 7 with jump seat Same - 3 standard [front 88”], 4 in rear on padded bench the Fairey overdrive; she heard an Mettalica-level and/or jump seat. and then the A303 to Ilchester, or the A361 to howl. When her voice gave out, we drove in silence Glastonbury via Shepton Mallet. Within minutes the until we reached the restaurant. Seat Adjustment Electronic for height and Manual - Height: stack seat cushions for height or bring tele- conversation will plunge off into a level of detail that Her remarks made me think that maybe, after leaves you, as a foreigner, swiveling your head in distance to pedals/ wheels phone book [preferably from urban areas] Distance - man- nearly 90,000 miles, it was time to think about the ually select the generous 1 1/2” adjustment on later II-A’s. quiet wonderment...” overdrive unit. More convincingly, the overdrive I thought about my last visit to England for the began to pop out of gear under load from a standing Dual Sunroofs Optional, with sunscreen Same - Roof vents on station wagon model. Bring your own ARC 50th Anniversary Celebration. The drive from start. The unit would not be engaged, but it seem to su n s c r e e n London to the western Malvern Hills lasted about 3 go to its “neutral” setting without jarring. When it hours, mostly on two lane roads. My British compan- happened on a fall trip to Rovers North, I checked Dual Zone Standard; driver and passengers Same - Kodiak heater with flaps directing airflow right or ions treated it as a cross-country expedition; I do that with Mike Searfoss for advice. He listened to the climate controls can set desired temperature for left. Right and left hand vents on bulkhead cowl. Outside distance routinely for work assignments and I never symptoms and suggested it was time for an overhaul. with outside each side of vehicle temperature determined by airflow through worn door seals; get out of Maine. Californians consider that a daily Mike suggested that the excessive noise was likely to temperature gauge twin thermometers taped to windscreen commute; Texans do that to catch a good movie. be worn bearings, and the popping could be worn I returned to Bryson. “The fact is that the British teeth on gears. Sound system Choices - 100 or 320 watt Alpine Choices - 1.5 volt Panasonic Sport AM-FM cassette portable have a totally private sense of distance. This is most The Fairey overdrive unit is a mini-transmission, AM-FM cassette audio system with player with headphones; CD player visibly seen in the shared pretense that Britain is a complete with its own shaft and selector fork. When I Weather Band and 6 speakers; lonely island in the middle of an empty green sea. Of returned home, I removed the overdrive unit from CD changer optional course, the British are all aware, in an abstract sort the back of the transmission and took off the inspec- of way, that there is a substantial land mass called tion plate. The gear teeth looked fine, without any Optional Keyless Remote locking and unlocking Same - it’s a remote concept as door locks don’t work Europe nearby and it is necessary to go over there chipping, but the inner teeth on the gears had clearly Entry System of doors and give old Jerry a drubbing or have a holiday in the worn splines. As I probed deeper into the overdrive, sun, but’s not nearby in any meaningful sense in the the bearings looked as if they required a press rather Automatic Inside Dims and brighten automatically Same - brightens automatically when headlights shine Rear View Mirror through rear window, dims as vehicle passes Land Rover way that, say, Disney World is.” One of the pleasures than a “drift” for removal. I discussed the issue of an of living in Northern New England is that same sense overhaul with Mike and Les Parker, and their solution Digital Compass Standard LCD display indicates Same - Optional $2.00 compass glued to rear view mirror of private distance. Of course, we’re aware of a sub- gave me a used overdrive in excellent condition and a stantial land mass called The United States lies near- Display in Rear direction rebuilding of my current overdrive at Rovers North. View Mirror by , but often it seems irrelevant to daily life. When The new-old overdrive arrived and I crawled you’re a Land Rover enthusiast, you know that there under the car to install it at a friend’s garage. All went are millions of car owners out there, but their idea of Cupholders Front and rear Same - jam cup handle between back seat cushions in front; perfectly until the final inch or so of travel. It would use bungee cords for rear jump seats “car” seems irrelevant. We, too, live in a “private dis- not slide into place. The Fairey instructions include tance.” one of those unbelievable solutions involving hitting Center console Standard with cup-holders, vinyl Same - standard with styrofoam cover, twin cupholders on ______P ______the starter button while the car is in gear. Sure storage bin or leather covered to p enough, one hit of the starter and the unit slipped My work puts me behind the wheel of my Land into place. We filled it with hypoid, checked the bolts, Tinted and Power St a n d a r d Same - “One Touch” slide feature due to worn out window Rover throughout northern New England, and this and I drove the car away. Later that day, I shipped the Windows with tracks; works best in icy weather. Tinting from hypoid leaks se a s o n ’ s travels have required me to drive further old overdrive back to Rovers North for an overhaul. “O n e - To u c h ” than ever. This winter has been one of our snowiest It was two days later when I got to the mainland down feature and coldest in several years and I seem to feel the and could actually test the overdrive at speed. Oh, my, mileage more than usual. A mother and daughter how quiet and refined compared to my previous one. Childproof Door St a n d a r d Same - neither kids nor adults can find interior door handle from more tropical climes came to visit me in Maine This business trip would take me hundreds of miles Lo c k s and I met them at the airport in Portland in the II-A. to the Maine-New Brunswick border, and then all the She asked “does that thing have heat?” But of course, way west towards Bangor - a fine rural drive - and Power Steering Standard hydraulic power assist Same, except you assist I replied. “Aren’t you cold in it,” she asked? This south by highway to central Massachusetts. required a near-Clintonian response. I was wearing L. In southern Maine, I stopped at a Maine Anti-Theft Device Standard - electronic Standard - no one can figure out the starter button on an L. Bean boots, heavy wool socks, jeans, a cotton shirt Turnpike rest area to get some coffee. As I pulled in early II-A. and a wool shirt, a sweater, a Rovers North vest, an L.

© 2000 Rovers North Inc • 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA • 802.879.0032 • e-mail [email protected] • www.r o v e r s n o r t h . c o m SnLand a p Rovers

The Rovers North Newsletter is a publication of Rovers North, Inc. • Publisher: Mark Letorney • Editor: Jeffrey B. Aronson • Art Director: Thompson Smith

Jack Belden, Nantucket, MA, caught this Series III in the “boondocks” of Leyte, Philippines. The Defender 110’s are from the wilds of Nantucket Airport.

Brent Sanders, Auburn, CA, vacationed on Rarotonga, one of the Cook Islands, and spotted this interesting Series II-A with a custom flatbed. It is “the exact same color” as my ‘69 Series II-A bugeye major restoration project I just started.”

Capt. Dirk Ringgenberg, Derby Line, VT, sent us this photo of an RSOV - Ranger Special Operations Vehicle - which runs a turbocharged diesel. This example, was shown in action at Ft. Polk, LA.

David McCunn, Honeoye Falls, NY, photographed this “Roadrailer” Defender 130 at the Manchester Museum of Science in Manchester, England.

Rovers North now accepts American Express, Discover Card, Visa and MasterCard.