Thread: Gotta Get Past The Landy Syndrome

Last week was spent with a quick jaunt to Melbourne (from Albury), then the delightful journey to Adelaide (via the Great Ocean Road) and finally Adelaide to Albury via Ouyen-Moulamein-Deniliquin.

I made a point of waving to every Land Rover possible - including (adding much to the Cranky One's displeasure) Range Rovers and D3's (do these people know they are driving a Land Rover).

The Land Rover Wave? I'm with Derek - the Landy Wave is dead.

The Landy Wave is a jewel of a time when time itself did not rule our lives.

Time, materialism and one-upmanship (Ron - is that correct spelling - I think not) has replaced the Landy Wave.

The friendship, camaradie and courtesy of the Landy Wave has been replaced by these tools of evil and herald the end of the World of Land Rovers as we know it.

Men and women of the Land Rover family I speak of the Gotta Get Past The Land Rover Syndrome.

Take note of that distant vehicle in your rear-view mirror. Just a non-descript vehicle. It looms closer, yes, a four-wheel drive, closer, a Hilux. Polished, front bar, spotties, looks good. Check the speedo. Ok, so what's 3 or 4 k's over the limit. Geez, the bloody Hilux is thumping it now. Passes without a sideway glance. And pulls back into your lane a little too smartly. Then slows back down to just under the speed limit. You have to ease off the go-pedal a touch.

Take a note of that distant vehicle on the horizon in front of you. Just a non-descript vehicle. Looks like a fourby, could it be ... yes a bloody Land Rover. Bloody heaps. Always slow. Ok, so what's 10 or 15 k's over the limit. Geez, the bloody thing can only go 3 or 4 k's over the limit. Catch it. Don't look at the old bloke driving it as I pass. Those Land Rover drivers always look too relaxed for their own good. Pull into his lane just to show him what passed him. Better slow down now I'm passed the Land Rover. Don't want to get stuck behind it because it will probably slow me down.

A few observations I noticed on my recent journey.

Toyotas. Hiluxes, Prados in particular must - and I stress must - pass the Defender (as above I imagine). Cruisers come up on the outside lane and seem to pause and invite a drag before accelerating into the distance. (Many prayers were said in regard to driving past the said Landcruisers pulled over introducing themselves to the local constabulary).

What of Nissan's. Have you noticed the vans towed by the Navaras. Huge. Can those things really tow those vans.

Navaras. Not very polite, seem to adopt an air of superiority and "it's my road and I will pull out of a park without stopping for a Land Rover" attitude.

Patrols. Fantastic. Just coasting along with a relaxed attitude and just like me - follow the vehicle in front and do everything possible to check out the gear he has added to his rig (Or her rig). These blokes/chics have a relaxed life. Don't need to prove themselves.

What is it about dual-cabs. Patrols - OK. Navaras - give me patience. Not much different with Pajeros and what ever you call the Mitsi version of a dual-cab. (The funny shaped ones). A Pajero driver even gave a nod of acknowledgement in a car-park (viewing stop at Port Campbell). As for the funny-looking dual cab? Refer above re: Hilux drama.

Isuzu/Rodeo dual cabs. Now they are a different story. Mostly driven by old-farts like Yours Truly, wearing flanno shirts and weather-beaten hat. Get caught behind one and you have an opportunity to slow your pace for a while, which I don't mind. Good blokes (or chics) these ones. No problems.

Whoever gave the Jeep owners the certificate of "I Am The Best Hoon" and "McGyver Drove a Jeep so I'm A Swiss Army Knife Know It All Type of Guy". Two occasions. Two occasions of recklessness and stupidity.

Now we are serious. Evil. Nasty. Sinister.

Why, oh why do Range Rover owners not know the history, the heritage, the soul of what they drive. Why, oh why do they need to banish the humble Defender to serfdom. Banish us to the status of farmhand, waiter, the working-class. We share the symbol of Land Rover, we are family and yet the stiff upper lip and superior attitude as the Range Rover makes a point of accelerating at exactly - exactly - the right moment and with exactly - exactly - the correct level of acceleration to cause a plume of smoke (similar to a fart) as the Range Rover passes the Defender.

Betrayal by one's own family is pain of the worst kind.

A nod in the car-park is returned with a pose pointed skyward (the lady outside the coffee shop in Angelsea).

D3. Yes, I submit. The off-road ability is superior. The ride is superior. The load-room, I'm told is equal. The heritage, no. I made the heritage. The Defender. You simply wear the badge of honor. I submit, but don't send me to gaol, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Your technology is no reason to pass me on double lines - just because you did not wish to be seen behind a Defender. (Not far out of Mount Gambier).

Allow me, please, to add an important piece of information.

The Defender - TD5 souped up by Tombie2 - has absolutely no problems in cracking 140 k's. Much to my shame, I did break the law. Average speed, on the open highway I was pushing the speed limit - please use your imagination. I do not want cruise-control for I would forever be re-setting it as a result of slowing after one of the aforesaid four wheel drives passed me and then slowed.

Land Rover Wave? Yeah, well. More than a couple of thousand km's and three. Two Defenders, one Disco (thanks mate - Freeway just out of Murray Bridge).

Gooses who have the "Gotta Get Past the Land Rover Syndrome" - to be expected by Hiluxes, Navaras and those funny looking things. Sad, regarding the Rangies (I will add very late model Sports).

Mods, am I allowed to say: Tombie2's TD5 upgrade? After this trip - do yourself a favor - get it.

An interesting trip which kept the Cranky One and I well occupied in our observations and resultant discussions regarding the Wonderful World of Land Rovers.

We concluded our trip with the agreement that we have probably mistakenly judged people and therefore we are the culprits. However, this agreement was put to rest when we recalled the "lady" in the Rangie

Sorry to all Rangie, D3 and other Land Rover drivers reading this - because we know you would have travelled behind us for a while, just to check out the Defender and allow your vehicle to spend some time with family. Of course, you would have waved too.

Oh yeah - can't remember seeing a Freelander but did have a look at a few in Lance Dixon's yard.

The Cranky One now wants a Freelander. I've got problems, me thinks.

Originally Posted by landychris

On most occasions I get a reply wave from Defenders in Victoria when I am out and about. However I must confess I wave as well as flash my lights. Other non series Landy owners seem to have no idea of the tradition behind their vehicle. Back in the 60's when I had an MG all owners would acknowledge each other. T series, A's, Bee's, Y's etc, etc. A couple of weeks ago I was driving a friends Ford Capri convertable when another came towards me. I thought not too many of these on the road, might be an enthusiast so I gave a wave but no return except for a dirty look. I guess unlike Fender and Series owners all others have to get from A to B quickly and have no time to pass pleasantries. Our drive is always an experience and an adventure, not just a trip.
landychris

The same thing applied to Kombi ownership through the 70's. And yes, we wave to all Defenders, that if we see them