Thread: landrovers.... not what they used to be...

Originally Posted by juddy

Dropping the windscreen for a face full of dust and flys. Yum yum

rarerly a problem, just drive according to dust distance and dont be in such a rush.

Originally Posted by PAT303

Your putting in some attitude there Mick,I like old actually Mick and yes I'm a303 fan,I like mausers too,I have 6 in the safe and Steyr's,if you want the best they have no equal this side of anything German or Swiss.I think you should have a nana nap and get over yourself as like I've posted I've had most types of LR's and I like them all,every one but as I get older and have to travel further because of were I live I want a vehicle that can do the miles and a series 2a isn't it.Anyway thats it for me,enjoy you series and I'll enjoy my TDCi with all it's electric hocus pocus that lets me have plenty of power with economy too. Pat

If you dont want the attitude, dont poke the bear

Originally Posted by PAT303

...........................I like old actually Mick and yes I'm a303 fan,I like mausers too,...................... Pat

An interesting analogy here Pat, and not dis-similiar to the comparative Landy argument going on here.

Whilst .303 might be a 'classic' calibre dating back well over a century, time and design moved on, not unlike a S1 Landy. Though realistically in firearm terms the British .303 became a piece of junk compared to 'the opposition' offerings. Rimmed ammunition had had its day, not particularly suited to auto/semi auto applications. Why the British persevered with it past the turn of the 20th century remains a mystery.
The S2 Landy is probably the 'classic' Land Rover. Not flash but rock solid reliable, a good design. Not unlike my old 98k Mauser, arguably the best (manual) action ever. Mine was in 30-06 calibre, another classic. The 98k Mauser is so named because it's action was invented in 1898 and is widely regarded as the 'ultimate' design for a manual action. Modern high powered ammunition is derived from the original 30-06 rimless case, so named because of its .30 calibre and its design year, 1906.
Perhaps the Land Rover County can be compared to my old Valmet M88. A work of art, refined, simple and very capable. Perhaps the best of its kind in a modern design.
As to the Land Rover Defender, I can't say. That bastard Howard, with the stroke of a pen, turned me into a criminal overnight and confiscated the lot (firearms that is) and I've not owned a 'modern' Defender so can't comment on them.

I've got green Land Rover blood flowing in my veins. I've owned SII, SIII, RRC, P38a and D2a (SWMBO's) for 40 years. For the type of remote outback touring we do reliability and the ability to diagnose/repair is everything. 'Modern' 4WD's don't come close to meeting this requirement, LR included, which is why we bought our OKA. Not flash, not sexy, no iPod connectivity but if the bastard breaks it's so bloody simple a child could diagnose the problem (which is usually harder than the repair) in my experience. For me complexity=unreliability=unsafe for the type of 4WD'ing we do.
Sure, if you're close to support and are happy to rely on others to get you out of the ****, buy your brand new piece of electronic trickery and live happily ever after. I come from an 'different' generation where taking responsibility for my actions and 'stuff ups' means I should try to do so. Also there's no NRMA or RACV where we go and EPIRB's are for aeroplanes and not irresponsible 4WD nitwits, though we do have HF/Sat comms to call for (very expensive) suport should the need arise.
Unfortunately simple, reliable 4WD's are now an extinct species. But as most 4WD's are now used as shopping trolleys, soccer mum transports and 'soft road' tourers and the ability to call others for assistance instead of taking responsibility for ones own actions/predicament is now socially 'normal' perhaps there is no longer a need.
But I worry about the modern 4WDers reliance on electronic trickery, whether it's the vehicle of which they have little or no knowlege or control, GPS as opposed to a knowlege of map reading/own situation, ignorance of comms limitations of mobile phones/UHF coupled with the desire to travel in remote outback regions and a general lack of serious consideration to the real dangers involved.
Whilst self reliance may be unfashionable and un-neccessary for most 4WDing I'm old enough to remember the fate of the Page family on the Birdsville Track in the '60's, a more practical era, and can see the potential for further tragedy with less knowlegable and self reliant travellers of today.
Perhaps Frederick Blakely (1882-1962) had the right idea, with Dick and Jim O'Neill bicycled from White Cliffs to Darwin in 1908. No electronic trickery on their transport and they did OK.

Deano

Originally Posted by dobbo

Maltesers and a blue slushie please, this is better than Foxtel

In yer dreams Dobbo!

Blue slushie slurpers never wave.

"But I worry about the modern 4WDers reliance on electronic trickery, whether it's the vehicle of which they have little or no knowlege or control, GPS as opposed to a knowlege of map reading/own situation, ignorance of comms limitations of mobile phones/UHF coupled with the desire to travel in remote outback regions and a general lack of serious consideration to the real dangers involved."

I think you could say the same about most military forces as well: I reckon most armies don't teach fundamental map reading and direction finding any more.
Let alone basic survival skills: I learnt more when I was doing my Master Backwoodsman badge for Scouts than what they teach the average infantrist today.

Originally Posted by TimNZ

So you're deliberately trolling then? Or just having a bit of a laugh.

Ding! Abley assisted by the master, Dobbo.
What a team.

I got your post Blackers! Go the Ford!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by newhue

to drag this thread back on topic,
I took my 1955 series 1 for a burn today.
I was sitting at a small local round about and a pre 2007 Defender entered and exited as oncoming traffic to me. GASP he didn't wave.
I then passed another oncoming pre 2007 Defender on Browns Plain Rd, and again GASP no wave. I don't judge these Defender drivers, I do't care what model Defer they drive, there are many reasons as to why people don't wave.
It would have been cool if they did wave, but they didn't, so what.
My little old 2lt ran like a dream, except for the amazing backfire it's capable of when it's turned off. Should see the folks at the servo jump.

Typical Jason.

IME, Queenslanders don't wave.......