Simply Irresistible TAH-TAH FORD E E L H X E E T C A E T R T R E I O I R C R S A L / / 3 / 1 0 6 M S U O E S C F P F H - E A R N N O S I A I C O D A N L / / / 1 4 2 3 2 4 W I P E B R O B D L Y A P D A E N S E Y L S S T E / M 5 4 S / HAPPY 6 0 NEW YEAR CONTENTS The Rovers North News is a publication of 4 Letters to the Editor Rovers North, Inc. 8 Behind Sliding Doors by Mike Koch Publisher: Mark Letorney 12 4th Annual All-Metal Dash Rover Meet by Don Flye Editor: Jeffrey B. Aronson Designer: Matthew Martin 20 So You Want to Buy a Defender by Jeffrey B. Aronson ©2008 Rovers North Inc. 30 Simply Irresistible by Mike Koch This publication may not be reproduced without the 42 Land Rover Corporate Info express written permission of Rovers North Inc. 44 TAH-TAH FORD? by Calef Letorney 1319 VT Route 128, Westford, Vermont 05494-9601, USA 46 A Swiss Army Knife at MAR by Tami Sutherland Sales & Tech Line: 1-800-403-7591 / (802) 879-0032 49 An LR3 Enthusiast Tells All Website: www.roversnorth.com 50 Employee Profile by Mike Koch Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00 - 5:30; Sat: 8:30 - 12:30 EST 51 Reduce - Re-use - Reflap Prices subject to change without notice. Sightings submissions may be sent to our above address 52 Behind the Steering Wheel by Jeffrey B. Aronson or email to [email protected] 62 Sightings HEATERS A B C D E F G (A) Genuine Smith’s 2 Speed Heater Blower Assembly RNE279 LHD Series, 1968 on................................................................................................................$ 179.00 (B) Genuine Smith’s Heater Core Assembly RNE280 LHD Series III, ........................................................................................................................$ 149.00 (C) Defender Heater Motor PLF156 1983 - 2007................................................................................................................................$ 169.00 (D) Range Rover Classic Heater Motor PLH520 1987 - 1994................................................................................................................................$ 269.00 (E) Range Rover Classic Heater Core PLD415 1987 - 1994...............................................................................................................................$ 199.95 (F) 2.25 Litre Bottom Hose Heater RNC711 Series II, IIA through 1969 heater for 1 1/4” diameter. bottom hose. H Installs in minutes. ProLine ..................................................................................................$ 49.00 (G) Bottom Hose Heater RNC712 Series IIA 1970 on, Series III, Discovery I, Range Rover Classic, Defender V8, 200, 300 Tdi bottom hose heater with 1 1/2” diameter. ProLine .....................................................................................................................................$ 41.95 (H) 3.9, 3.5 Litre V8 Engine Block Heater Kit PLA688 Block Heater Kit, fits into engine block freeze plug ProLine .........................................$ 48.25 Orders: (800) 403-7591 website: www.roversnorth.com 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Mark, nearest Land Rover dealer. For classic Land from the sale of raffle tickets ensure the finan- On behalf of Rover-Landers BC and the 19th Rover, Range Rover and Discovery enthusi- cial stability of the club. On behalf of every Annual Northwest Challenge Organizing asts, Rovers North is a valuable lifeline to FLRC member, thank you for your generosity. Committee and entrants, I acknowledge the get the most out of their Rover –ed] Stephen Peters continued support from Rovers North of this President, FLRC unique event. Thank you for every donation of Dear Sir, [Congratulations on another successful gift certificates for each vehicle entry. Last summer, while on a “plains game” safari rally. Remember to call the Editor directly if The Northwest Challenge was a great in Namibia, fully anticipating to be ferried you need personal delivery of products dur- success with entrants from British Columbia, about in either a Defender 110 or 130, I was ing, say, February! –ed] Alberta, Washington and Oregon, and all of somewhat disappointed when the vehicle of them were challenged in ways that only a choice turned out to be a diesel-powered Hi, Land Rover owner could truly appreciate. Toyota Pickup. I inquired of my two profes- I have a 1972 Series III 109” SW, a 1979 These events and hosting organizations sional hunters, brothers Jaco and Mare Van Series III 109” canvas top, and a 2004 are only as successful as the support that is de Merve, as to why they were using Toyotas Discovery Series III. I really enjoy shopping at received. Thank you for your very generous rather than Land Rovers to transport their Rovers North. support. hunting clients. Their response was that they Jim Salyers Donald MacDonald could purchase two Toyotas for the price of US Navy Rover-Landers of British Columbia one Defender. Later, while spending the night Dahlgren, VA North Vancouver, BC in Windhoek, I sighted a pristine Defender [That’s a great fleet of Land Rovers – Canada 130 Crew Cab, with a camper top, parked in congratulations! –ed] [Rovers North really appreciates the hard a hotel parking lot, muttering to myself as to work that clubs do to keep Land Rover why this vehicle hasn’t found its way to US Dear Rovers North, marque values alive and well. shores. I wanted to say thank you to Mark and all the Congratulations on a great event -ed] Hans Salzinger staff at Rovers North for your support of the Arlington, VA 2007 SOLAROS SAE Rally. Your donation of Dear Rovers North, [The strong pound sterling might be great gift certificates for our charity auction helped I drive a Defender 90 daily, and as we all for national pride and central bankers, but to raise almost $2400. The decals and copies know they go through parts and I can usually it’s not much for export industries. Land of the Rovers North News were also in high find everything I need at Rovers North. Rover products cost more than Toyotas, demand. Thanks again and keep up the inventory and Nissans, or Suzukis and that’s a real chal- Once again, thank you! knowledgeable people on staff. You’re doing lenge for Land Rover. Remember that in the Todd Miller a great job! world of automobile manufacturing, Land Land Rover Buckhead Rob Smith Rover does not produce many cars. So Atlanta, GA Cascade, CO there’s little economy of scale. As for a US [Land Rover clubs play a critical role in [I am envious that you get to drive a Defender, think about our interior safety expanding Land Rover enthusiasm. It’s also Defender 90 every day. What a great way to and emission regulations –ed.] great to see a strong link with a Land Rover make the most mundane trips a Land dealership, too –ed.] Rover adventure –ed] To the staff of Rovers North Everyone at the Florida Land Rover Club Hello Rovers North, Hey folks, would like to extend a huge FLRC thank you I’m new at this – in fact, my first Land Rover, We appreciate the great service we have for sponsoring our Fall 2007 Rally. The Rally a 1963 Series II-A is still waiting for transport received from Rovers North in the purchases was a huge success. We had approximately 65 for a seller many miles away! Special thanks we have made. You are speedy when we are trucks and over 120 people in attendance. to Arthur Patsouris for putting me in touch needy! Living in a non-Rover dealer town, From the trail to the meeting hall, our club with one of the previous owners. your service has been helpful and as our members share stories of great success with Tom Cirillo Rover begins its inevitable mechanical Rovers North and all of your staff. Dana Point, CA decline, Rovers North will be a lifesaver. We appreciate your continuous generos- [Welcome to the world of Land Rover Jeff Jambers ity. Without folks like you, we would not have enthusiasts! Let us know how the work on Corpus Christi, TX the raffle and the raffle is a big part of our ral- the II-A goes. And we’ll pass along your [You join thousands of Land Rover owners lies. Thanks again for providing us with very thanks to Arthur –ed.] who live hundreds of miles away from the high-end products. The proceeds gained 4 Dear Rovers North, ership more successful –ed] [And thank you, Dale, Kurt and Paul for the Thanks to Les [Parker] for his attention to Dear Rovers North, Sightings. It remains one of our most our exhaust system redo on our Discovery I. I wanted to thank you for the excellent “cov- entertaining features. Thanks for your part Michael Burwell eted” mug that I received in recognition of my in its success –ed] Dade City, FL Land Rover Sighting. Going up to our house in [We’ll pass along your thanks to Les –ed.] Manchester, VT, tonight, which is where our Dear Rovers North, beloved 1973 NAS Series III resides. Can’t I read and appreciate the Rovers North News Dear Rovers North, wait to fire it up as well as use my new mug! and read it from cover to cover! I wanted to let you know that the new design Kurt Krauss Ray Young with the part/inventory tag is awesome. Also, Newark, NJ Romney, WV thank you for the Sightings mug that came this [What a perfect car to accompany a vaca- [Thank you! We enjoy putting together weekend. It’s great and is one more thing to tion home in a great town! Have a wonder- every issue –ed.] be thankful for this holiday week. ful holiday –ed] _______ ! ________ Paul Hai Newcomb, NY Dear Editor, [At Rovers North, we’re thankful for the Wow! What a nice surprise in yesterday’s post! thousands of Land Rover enthusiasts who Thank you so much for the coveted Sightings let us be part of their Land Rover experi- mug.