Parents of Land Rover, Tata Motors, will appreciate the unique appearance of Land Rover models. They clearly resonate with the American and international public. The qualities that we love as Land Rover enthusiasts clearly captivate those who rouse popular passions. Movie directors, advertising art directors, and consumers agree if there’s a Land Rover present, you should pay attention. That assures us as a lot of Sightings – in fact, lots and lots of Sightings.

Once again there are superb entries that warrant emptying more of the crockery cupboards at Rovers North. As always, it’s helpful for rookies to review the rules for Sightings – and useful as a reminder for the grizzled Sighting veterans as well.

Rule # 1 – All Sightings receive recognition and our appreciation, but not necessarily a mug. We reward only those Sightings that capture the unique qualities of Land Rovers and their owners, and display them in a distinctive way.

Rule #2 – If your Sighting does not really surprise you, it won’t surprise us, either, and you won’t get a mug. We’re delighted, but not surprised, that Land Rovers appear in British television programmes, British publications, films with British themes, and shows about African safaris. You shouldn’t be surprised, either, and should consider looking for other ways to get a coffee mug.

Rule #3 – At an ever-changing date before publication we close off the Sightings. If we’ve mentioned the Sighting in an earlier issue, we won’t mention it again. If you’re new to the family of Land Rover enthusiasts, you may not have seen your Sighting in an earlier issue.
Rule #4 – We’re not outfitting your kitchen. If you qualify, please remember – one mug per Sighting per issue.

Rule #5- Sightings that are Land Rover references in books go to our Literary Land Rover editor for mention, but only when space permits.

Rule #6 – Psst… if we can’t read your name and address because of atrocious penmanship, we can’t recognize your Sighting nor send you a mug. Psst…E-mail submissions – remember we can’t send a mug by e-mail. Send us your real name and shipping address, too.

Rule #7 – Grudgingly, very grudgingly, the Editor admits he might make an error. Let me know if you think you’ve been jobbed, but all decisions of the Editor are final.

Your Editor is always appreciative of the efforts of Sighters; sadly, some Sightings come in after deadline for the previous issue, which means they fall under Rule # 3. Your Editor cannot award himself a mug for enjoying DVD’s of The Interpreter [which opens with a shot of a Defender 110 in Africa] or The Italian Job [Defender 110 in evil role] remake.

So we need to thank the Sighters who spotted the commercials and ads from Texaco, Garmin, Equitours, Cole Haan, National Geographic Traveler, Beretta, Farmers Health Point, Army Safety and Departures. We commend Michelle Armada, Houston, TX, Jonathan Detwiler, Norwell, MA, Milton Milner, Hendersonville, NC, John Conover, Jr., Stony Brook, NY, Kevin Dunn, Jacksonville Beach, FL, Chris Runnels, Bellingham, WA, Bernard McMahon, Washington, DC, Steve Andrews, Easton, MD, Kevin Dunn [see Rule #6], Esteban Gonzales, West Hollywood, CA, Sam Harrison, Mulino. OR, James Dargan, Plymouth, MA, and Benjamin Buchanna, New Haven, OH, Dave Bowman, Orange, VA, Tony Sims, Beaverton, OR, Todd Kriner, Ellicott City, MD and Dave Whaling, Greenville, PA. The 2004 REI floor layout catalogue also had the rear taillights of a Series III on the cover, reports John Bradley, Denver, CO.

Land Rovers have become a touchstone of popular culture. Without telling us why, Todd Frey, Wilmington, DE, read an article on “Midlife Crisis Cars” in USA Weekend. In the “Stay-at-Home Mom” category, USA wrote “we originally chose a classic 1960’s Land Rover Series II-A, an off road vehicle that figures heavily in exotic African safari adventures.” Instead the author chose the more modern $86,000 Mercedes G500. Go figure!

ESM magazine specializing in surfing and Curve used a Defender in its ad in the August 2007 issue, noted Todd Frey, Wilmington, DE. He also noted that when ESM wanted to cover the feats of three female surfers, it placed the three of them inside and astride a Defender 110 NAS. Robert Alley, Kennesaw, GA, spotted a Defender 90 in an article in Decline magazine. Steve Johnson, Johns Island, SC, found a safari ad with a cheetah on the hood in Smithsonian Journeys. Bruce Burnham, Sandy, UT, sent a safari travel ad from Insights magazine and an Ecuadorian Defender at work in an expedition ad from Luxury Travel Guide magazine. Mike Mason gave his wife, Peggy, credit for spotting a Defender in a Botswana safari article in Conde Nast Traveler. When the British double agent Phillip Agee died, Time included a photo of Agee in his RHD Series I in its reportage, notes Martin Lewis, Vero Beach, FL. Will Chau, Sylmar, CA, spotted Rovers at work in ads for Virgin Bush Safaris. Jack Hayes, Nantucket, MA, noted that the J.L. Powell catalogue has “pricey clothes and nice Rover pics,” accurate on both counts. Jay Gerish, Fairfield, NJ, saw that IZOD jeans uses a Defender 110 to distinguish their clothes. David Ducat, Lebanon, CT and Pat Harris, Wilton, CT couldn’t miss the Defender doortops in the Polo Explorer ad in GQ. And he couldn’t miss the photo of a Defender 110 in the safari article in Outside Go magazine. Dan Mitchell, Littleton, CO, and Kevin Humphrey, Jonesboro, AR, noted a great Defender 110 in the latest Cabela’s fly fishing catalogue. Greg Coffman, Coshocton, OH, found a door from a Defender supporting a model in the Timberland catalogue. When the producers of a so-so buddy flick The Bucket List, needed to make certain that you’s know of Jack’s and Morgan’s last wishes by including a Defender on safari. Good work to James Dargan, Plymouth, MA, Dendy Jarrett, Nashville, TN, Kimberly Bufton, Galveston, TX, Andrew Gold, Hacienda Heights, CA, Mark Puzella, Hingham, MA, Sherry Block, Hadlyme, CT, Allan Mellske, Chicago, IL, Ben Cooley, Fairview Park, OH, Mark Fails, Palmyra, PA, Randy Swiencki, Middleton, CT, Dave Bowman, Orange, VA, Kristen Minner, Carnation, WA, Mike Archer, Victoria, BC, Canada, Greg Sveska, Monument, CO, Dick Newton, Charlestown, RI, Jeff Quinby, Northfield, MN, Jake Piersol, Waverly, WV, Kevn Thayer, Abingdon, VA, and Chandler Shepard, E. Sarasota, FL.

National Treasure 2 – Book of Secrets became “a better movie in the presence of a Land Rover 109,” claims Marc Fails, Palmyra, PA. Zach Jaggers, Chattanooga, TN, Scott Rady, Wesley Chapel, FL and Jeff Quinby, Northfield, MN. The movie War features a Range Rover, notes Michael Libott, Burbank, CA, and a preview for Nancy Drew features an LR3, notes Dave Bowman, Orange, VA.

The TV show Las Vegas features a Defender right behind the co-star, notes Kevin Thayer, Abingdon, VA. Kevin Buckley, Schenectady, NY, Jake Piersol, Waverly, WV and Dave Bowman, Orange, VA, noted a Land Rover used by the archaeologist/host of The Bone Detectives. MTV’s Wild Boyz chase a lion in a topless Series Rover, according to R.B., Jacksonville, NC [See Rule #6]. On the new series The Sarah Connor Chronicles, the heroine relies on a Range Rover P38-A as her escape vehicle, notes Leslie Bright, Kingspport, TN. On Speed TV’s Unique Whips program the hosts took Jennifer Capriati’s Range Rover and installed a state of the art sound system and some extra bling, reports Douglas Shepard, E. Sarasota, FL.

The Washington Times web site posted a photo of Defenders in defense in an article about the Gaza-Egypt border, noted Jim Salyers, King George, VA. Stuart Huddleston, Panama City Beach, FL, took a FEMA Incident Command System certification exam and he found a Defender crossing a flooded road. Richard and Lucia Gerhardt, N. Palm Beach, FL, were driving their Discovery Series I when they were passed by a Discovery Series II. What did they spot but a spare tire cover reading “Hummer Recovery Vehicle.”

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