When you call Rovers North for parts or service assistance, you’ll likely speak with Rob Smith. If your question involves service, repairs, or offroading in a Series Land Rover or Defender, he’ll be advising you from experience.

He’s a native Vermonter who seemed destined to wind up at Rovers North. Born in Burlington, Rob grew up in the town next door, Essex Junction, and still lives there. And Westford is but one town northeast of Essex Junction.

Rob grew up back when Land Rover only sent the Range Rover to the US market. By the time he finished his business studies at Champlain College, Land Rover was still considering what to do with the Defender for the US market. He became interested in Rovers North because “I loved cars. I knew nothing about Land Rovers when I took the job; I knew Jeeps, that was it. Soon after I started here, I went offroading with other staff members and saw first hand what a Land Rover could accomplish.” Soon after, he bought his first Land Rover, a ’69 Series II-A Bugeye. Rob remembers that “a customer walked into Rovers North with an offer to sell his car for $500. I bought it on the spot. It needed a lot work, but with guidance from more experienced staff members, I repaired it. Les Parker really helped me with the electrics. You can’t see the electricity – that’s why it’s so mysterious to me!” Rob sold his ’69 Series II-A for a ’70 Series II-A ex-MOD 109”, and then purchased his current Land Rover, a ’94 Defender 90, in 2000. He has installed Rovers North sill protectors and a Rovers North soft top, Old Man Emu heavy duty suspension and a fuel tank guard. He runs BF Goodrich All Terrain tires on his Rover. The Rover came with 52,000 and now has 94,000 miles on the odometer. “It runs great for me and I really enjoy being in it” Rob explains.

He remains a huge enthusiast of the Defender. “If I were president of Land Rover, I’d bring back the Defender to the US market, relatively unchanged from the early ‘90’s model. The ‘94-‘95 Defenders are just one step up from a Series vehicle. They have the OBD diagnostic box that can be checked inexpensively and easily to help identify fault codes.”

If you wanted to buy a Defender, Rob advises looking at the chassis and firewall first for corrosion. Originality is now an issue, too. After that, check out the engine and drivetrain. Fourth on his list would be electrical. Some interior bits are becoming harder to source, but operational and repair items remain in stock from Land Rover through Rovers North.

You may well have met Rob at east coast events such as the Mid Atlantic Rally in Virginia, the Southern New Hampshire Rally, and the British Invasion and RoverFest events in Vermont. He loves attending and participating but admits that “the 16 hour one way drivers to the MAR in a heavy duty suspension Defender 90 does wear me out! Otherwise, I’d love to attend more events.” “What’s the fun of the job? I’ve worked at Rovers North in shipping, purchasing and sales. I’ve been instructing for the 4×4 Centre off road school during the summers. I get to work with Land Rovers every day.”

“I use my Defender for hunting and offroading. When you drive around in your Land Rover, nothing compares with it. Unlike the Hummer, it really can do what it looks like it can do.”

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