Land Rover Owners

[bburtner@moran]

Any Land Rover owners out there in fedora land?

 

[byronic]

Yes indeedy!! I'm the proud owner of an ex- civil defence rescue vehicle, fitted with a 3 litre toyota land cruiser engine and a Discovery transfer box to step up the gearing and give the ole' gal longer legs. Being ex-rescue means it was a rather unattractive yellow, so i spruced her up a bit. Now she is my transport, hobby and toy all rolled into one. Here's the 'before' picture:

And this is the 'after', i think i was still tidying her up when this was taken. Like painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it's an ongoing thing.

 

[PADDY]

Lovely Landy...!!

If anyone is wondering where this fits into the vintage, well the Landy dates back to just post wwII (40's) and is a very classic 4x4xfar!!

Up until a few years ago I was the proud owner of a DISCO (Discovery) and took her on a number of off road courses, as you really need to know just 'what' these babies are capable of doing (or not, as the case may be). At some point, I'd like to grab a lightweight NATO version of the Landy (the type designed to drop out of a plane)...finances permitting.

I fell in love with Landys during my spell in the army. Did courses on them, but wanted to learn more advanced driving skills so forked out for them myself.

I loved my old Disco (nothing glam mind you, just painted in what I call farmer blue!!, all very basic) for just throwing the outdoor kit and dogs into the back and great for just hosing down afterwards).

Love the job you've done on this Byron, and a great overspray job (done yourself?). Did you replace the engine and gearing yourself? and what uses have you got for it?

LOVELY JOB - Enjoy :eusa_clap

 

[byronic]

Thank you Paddy! A friend sprayed it for me, I did the preparation and all the other work including the engine and 'box swap, and also choosing the particular shade of green that I wanted. This was taken just prior to spraying

And yes, Land Rovers have lots of vintage links- they trace their ancestry back to 1947, and their unique aluminium bodywork came about because of post-war iron shortages and a glut of aluminium from scrapped warplanes, so it's possible that early 'Landys' are recycled Spitfires and their brethren! Also, the prototype Land rover was an aluminium body married to an ex WW2 Willys Jeep, which of course was the inspiration for the Land Rover anyway.
What uses do I have for it? Well, it takes me to work, carries all my junk around when I'm exploring the countryside, or the beach, or a camping expedition. In the back- apart from a large tool locker- you will find a 4-man tent, a folding table and chairs, a solar shower, a volcano stove, a Trangia spirit stove, a cool box, plates, cutlery etc, a 'Hi -Lift' jack (for sticky situations!), mini barbeque, an ex British army felling axe and entrenching shovel, portable power pack for 'jump starting', compressor, sleeping bags and an air mattress. All of this fits in the back with ease, tidily stowed away, and with plenty of room left over for additional passengers or anthing else. Just about everything you could want for a weekend away, as shown in this picture- fans of the movie 'Ryans Daughter' should recognise this beach

 

[bburtner@moran]

Looking Good

Like the color,I am on my second Rover a 1994 Disco,before the Disco had a 1988 Classic that I was restoring,but fell off the lift and wrecked the damn thing!I am in the process now of getting the 94 Disco tweeked up a bit,Got to love the thing.There are not many older Rovers here on Staten Island NY.Cheers..........

 

[shortbow]

To me, those things have always said two things. Africa and Hunting.

Never managed to snag one myself, but have had two older Land Cruisers, just loved them. If my ship ever comes in....

 

[Decodence]

Hard to tell from the pics, but is that a 90 or 110? Over here, those go for a FORTUNE, no matter the condition/vintage/etc. From 90ish onward they were labeled Defender models too. Love them. I particularly like the panel sides on the top. What I wouldn't give....

 

[dhermann1]

I can't help thinking of rhinoceri whenever I think of Land Rovers.

 

[byronic]

Hard to tell from the pics, but is that a 90 or 110? Over here, those go for a FORTUNE, no matter the condition/vintage/etc. From 90ish onward they were labeled Defender models too. Love them. I particularly like the panel sides on the top. What I wouldn't give....

It's a 110, a 1985 model, and because it was ex-rescue it had only 29,000 miles covered- and the mileage now still stands at 41,000, not bad for a vehicle almost a quarter of a century old. My previous steed was a 90, but I couldn't fit all my gear into the back. I started driving at 17 in a series 3, since then I have owned another two series 3 models, a '66 series 2, a '58 series 1 and an ex-military lightweight with a canvas roof complete with holes! But this 110 is the most practical for everyday use. I also owned several cars but soon became bored with them and returned to Land Rovers. One day when I'm rich- i.e. I win the lottery- I'd like to fulfill the ambition of a lifetime and take her off on a long safari in Africa. Well, we all have our dreams...
90s, 110s and Defenders all look pretty similar- wait! They go for a fortune stateside, you say?? Hmmmm.... now if I could just get her across the Atlantic...

 

[Decodence]

Hmmmm.... now if I could just get her across the Atlantic...

Maybe you could pick one up cheap, and I could ship it over here?

 

[byronic]

I'll keep my eyes peeled and PM you if I come across one. Meantime, if you wish to PM me with your wants re exact model, type of body, engine, age, budget etc, then feel free.

 

[Eyemo]

When I worked for the MoD at Pendine, in our photo-archive was a collection of pictures taken (I'm guessing) winter of 1947. The sea around the coast of South Wales had frozen over , Landrover took advantage of this and the pictures show the MKI prototype being tested,up to it's bonnet in freezing cold water and mini icebergs....

 

[byronic]

Have you still got these pics, or access to them??? Any hope you could put them up here? Pretty please? If it was around '47 these must have been among the first batch of Land Rovers ordered by the military, and therefore pretty historic pictures. I know a few rabid land Rover enthusiasts who would sell their own mothers for them!

 

[Eyemo]

Unfortunately I don't have access, but I may be able to put you in contact with someone who might...Crown property is a funny old business...
Give me a week or so..

 

[Decodence]

I'll keep my eyes peeled and PM you if I come across one. Meantime, if you wish to PM me with your wants re exact model, type of body, engine, age, budget etc, then feel free.

The reason they are 3-4 times more expensive over here I have come to find out is that you can only import them if they are 25 years or older, UNLESS they were NAS (North American Spec) models. ******* US emissions/safety laws.

 

[bigshoe]

My mother in law (83 years old) next to her bone stock 1962 Land rover. Purchsed used in 1963. In the rockies above Dillion CO. about 10,000 feet. july 4 08

[/IMG]
With one of my chessies Nero

 

[byronic]

Wow! Almost half a century old and like new! It's a beaut! :eusa_clap But then Land Rovers were built to last. I often look at modern 4x4s of other brands (I had better not name names!), their bodywork usually a mishmash of plastic and chrome, and wonder how many miles they will cover before making their final journey to the breakers yard. I don't expect many of them make it to a ripe old age.

 

[shortbow]

That photo and its attendant story are smashing! They say if you want to know about your wife, look at her mother. You're a lucky guy! That old gal looks like she was a real fire cracker. Reminds me of the time I was xcountry skiing and an old guy in his 80's, spandex head to foot, passed me like I was standing still.

What I wouldn't give for a truck like that.

 

[Spitfire]

I have a 10 year old Landrover Freelander (anno 1998) to buz around in.
That is - at the moment she is grounded due to a stone impact through the coolingsystem. Bugger!