Your Land Rover, why?

**landy** · 14th April 2013, 04:46 PM

Hi All,
What is it that appeals to us about our Land/Range Rovers? I mean, I have owned many cars including a couple of 4WDs. But no car I've owned has held such an appeal for me (except maybe my Californian Moke). My wife says she can't see a time i'll consider selling it and I think she's right.

This got me thinking, why do we love our Landys or Rangies so much. After all, I think I'm right in saying that not many of us get onto another vehicle specific forums with such regularity.

I'd like to read others story's of why their Landys hold such a special part of their lives.

I'll go first.

I had always liked Land Rovers, but in those days it was a series 2 or 3. I remember my uncle who is a farmer having one on the farm. Landys had always been a part of my life, although I didn't know it. I did my apprenticeship at a Ford dealership. It was also a JRA dealer as well. Most of the guys liked to work on the Jags or more prestige cars but I always liked the 110s. I started there in 1984 and it was the beginning of the coils. I remember one time a couple of 110s came in for a service, both kitted out for the big trip. I remember thinking I'd love one of those. In 88 I went back to the UK. I worked for an Austin Rover dealer for a few years and I got to work on many Discos and not many 110s but mostly stock units. I missed the rugged Aussie 110s, the ones that did their jobs.
I joined the British Army in 92 and did my basic drivers course in a Mil spec series 3. This is when I had my first intro to off roading and got well and truly hooked. I got to know Salisbury Plain fairly well. I then went on an advanced gun tow course driving a 101 towing the L118 Light gun. They where bitches to drive, as anyone who has one will know. But the best fun!
I returned to Australia in 98 and wanted a Defender really badly but I just couldn't afford one ($54000) they haven't really gone up much in 15 years have there? Anyway, I joined the Australian Army in 2001 and Landys have been apart of my work life since. Incidentally, I still haven't converted to G-Wagon yet!!
I bought my Defender 5 years ago, and it was pretty much stock. I've spent the last five years doing things to it to make it the ultimate touring wagon (well, I think it is anyway), and its as much apart of my life as any other thing I hold dear, well except for the family!
Well, that's my sad, sad story. What's yours?

Cheers, Nino.

**tonyci** · 14th April 2013, 05:25 PM

Nino
Good story. I can't really explain why I like Landy's so much. The cars have character, owners seem to cluster together to form a good community. I have owned Jap 4wd's they were ok hard to fault but no character.
My first Landy was a 1985 Red county. My wife and I drove it all over the out back, never missed a beat.
We now have a Defender 110 (MY 13) after a period of absence due to kids and other distractions. We love the 110 still can't get over the Defender wave.
Love the fact that most Land Rover owners will stop you for a chat if they see its your Land rover. Never happened when I had a Toyota.
And the Defender is a very capable 4WD.
Cheers
Tony

**RVR110** · 14th April 2013, 06:08 PM

My first 4x4 experience in my youth was in the back of a brand new series III, back in the days when East Minto was a rural area. I've always had a thing for "iconic" and "the real deal". I've owned a '68 Corvette Stingray plus a series (inappropriate pun) of Land Rovers starting with a '85 110 County through to my current Puma. To me, Land Rover has always been the real deal and the Defender is the iconic LR. I also have a preference for avoiding crowds, so if LRs were as common as Toyotas then I might be considering something else...

**Bess** · 14th April 2013, 06:13 PM

As a child my family of five children & parents spent some time on various lighthouses on the east cost. At Greencape my mother would drive the children some eighty km round trip for school & the road/track from the light to the highway was pretty damn bad especially in a Hillman station wagon. There were plenty of times all the kids would be pushing up the clay hill while mum drove.

Then along came the Landy, we were supplied a series Land-Rover as a work vehicle,what a difference. Every trip was an adventure & so the love affair began. For me the Land-Rover represents a different time when everything was possible for those who dreamed & tried. They are a small company in a time of multinationals ( I will always back the underdog ) that was built on a dream of freedom after a time of great fear & turmoil. There is a camaraderie in the Landy family. Yes I'am a romantic but I honestly believe that our time on this mortal plane should be spent smiling as much as we can. My Landy's make me smile. There are times of frustration & head scratching but there are always times of simple FUN.

Long may the company produce time machines & prosper. Regards Chris, Lisa & Bess the Defender ( That name says it all ! )

**justinc** · 14th April 2013, 06:58 PM

I have not enough typing patience to describe the reasons I have finally arrived at my destination vehicle - a 1985 110 isuzu County.

I can however 110% agree/ relate to ALL the previous comments.

JC

**Sandgroper** · 14th April 2013, 07:09 PM

To me they just ooze character, they have personality, somehow these things are just more than nuts and bolts. I love their basicness, their off road ability, their look of a time gone by, a time when life was simpler, people were nicer to each other. They seem to somehow manage to capture the essence of that time. I think that's a part of why landie drivers wave to each other, many of us love that comraderie of like minded people. I also just love their Britishness, I'm sixth generation Australian but I love driving a British vehicle that seems to refuse to lose the traits that make is so loved. Just my thoughts.

**landy** · 14th April 2013, 07:10 PM

JC,

Come on. Fill us in. I'd really like to hear your story, even if its abridged.

Cheers

Nino.

**Homestar** · 14th April 2013, 07:12 PM

I agree with all the previous comments, but right from my first Landy - a IIA shorty, I have loved them. Now have 2 Rangies and a Series III. The Range Rovers are such a great car to drive - old or new. I have had plenty of surprised comments from mates in the RRC saying they can't believe it is a 25 year old car because it drives so well, and the L322 is in a different league from any other car I've driven.

The LR community is awesome and I have a lot of friends I've made because of my LR's - no way that would happen owning a Jap 4WD.

Still got a couple of models to acquire before I will be happy - not sure why I feel such a need to collect them, but it is bloody addictive...

. Not sure if there is a cure, but I don't want to be cured...

Cheers - Gav.

**justinc** · 14th April 2013, 07:16 PM

Hmmm, it isn't THAT interesting, infact it is very similar to the second post except that as a 6 or 7 year old

I ALWAYS wanted a series landy Corgi model, towing a caravan boxed set...Finally got it and in my mind at the time THAT was the epitome of , well, IT.

Fast forward a few (!) years (try almost 40 of them!) and apart from working on them every week day for a career

, NOW I am towing a camper trailer about behind a 110 Isuzu County that took me almost 10 years of searching to find and enjoying the experience immensely!!!

These vehicles are just in your DNA or they aren't IMO.

JC

**Landy Smurf** · 14th April 2013, 07:22 PM

I grew up with them like many people on here did. Unlike most people on here I actually dont like 4x4ing, i like some of the places they take you but dont like the getting there. I like going on gravel roads and through small creek crossing and that is about it.
I like the look of them and they are so simple looking they are great.
I love my hilux and the one before even though there are heaps of them but is good to get in something and drive it easy.

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