Story & Photos by: Don Flye

PETERSHAM, MA, September 22-23 – The weather was ideal for the 4th Annual ALL-Metal Dash Rover Meet weekend in Petersham. Many showed up Friday afternoon from as far away as Michigan.

A large number vendors did well with their used parts, too. George Maattala brought in a 109” with a six-cylinder Chevrolet engine for sale plus a truckload of parts. Garrett Bourgue came in with a 109” lengthened to 140” (wheelbase) with a Ford drivetrain, loaded with Land Rover parts. On Saturday morning, the first tech session was by Les Parker of Rovers North on the electrical system of the Series Land Rovers, followed by Alan Richer on overhauling the windshield wiper motor units. These units are loaded with small springs, washers and other small parts that have to go in exactly to the right place with special grease that cost $150.00 a tube.

The third session was by Tom Bache on solid button head aluminum rivets. These were hammered in with an air gun tooled with special mandrel, which conforms to the rivet head. Late in the afternoon, an adventurous Mike Flye led a group of Rovers green laning (off-roading). His first attempt had a gate across at the far end. This could have been easily bypassed, except Garrett’s 140” was not designed for sharp maneuvers. Upon returning to the start, another route was selected. This, once again, was very good for some distance until they approached a very low place that the beavers had flooded. Due to the Land Rovers not being equipped with snorkels or drivers’ courage, they again returned to the highway.

Mike, still determined to green lane to a restaurant, led a third attempt. This one got them through, but after dark. The remainder of the evening was spent back at the site around a campfire.

On Sunday there was a short breakfast run, then back for more socializing and trading of parts.

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