Story & Photo by Bob Mohan

[Bob Monhan, Chester, VA, works as the logistics manager for an Italian specialty foods company and is a Virginia Master Naturalist. With Mary Beth, his wife, and their Discovery II, they enjoy hiking, nature photography and biking. Life was incomplete, however, until they found their first Series Land Rover. –ed]

Mary Beth and I bought our first Land Rover, a 2004 Discovery II, about 3 years ago after looking at virtually every other make of SUV out there. The unobstructed views offered by the seating position clinched the deal on the Discovery for us. I also liked its uniqueness (you don’t see yourself coming down the road several times a day) and quirkiness. I retained a vague awareness of it heritage and off-road prowess.

Nine months later we attended a dealer off-road event; simply put, the Discovery’s offroad capability blew us away. Now I had to take the Rover off-road more often. I enjoyed the ROAV (Rover Owners of Virginia) Spring Rally, the MAR 07 (Mid Atlantic Rally), The Uwharrie Safari (held in North Carolina) and other dealer events, always having a blast. All the time I thought how cool it would be to build up our ’04 – lights, suspension lift kit, roof rack, brush guard – yet deep down, I knew the Rover would only utilize these accessories a few times a year. Although, along the way I did install a differential guard/skid plate and aggressive off-road tires.

I knew the Discovery had all the capabilities for my off-roading – in fact, its greatest liability was me – but I wasn’t having as much fun on the trails as before. It seemed like all I was doing was pointing the truck, easy on the throttle and up, across or over she went. My moment of realization came while on a trail ride watching trucks pass a little water crossing at MAR 08. On exiting the creek, many customized Rovers had trouble climbing a hill, digging large ruts and attacking it several times before bouncing it up. Then I watched another Discovery II and an LR3 – with street tires – walk their way up without any drama.

Next came two Series Rovers. I watched their drivers shift at the exact moment so as to maintain momentum but not bog the engine. I witnessed how finesse and balance with a torquey little engine can be as effective as modded-up Discos & D90’s. Now anybody who owns a Land Rover has at least a subconscious appreciation for the classic lines of a Series Rover as well as the simplicity in design and execution. I knew my fate was sealed – I had to find one.

I found mine on eBay and grabbed it! I chose a ’72 Series III hardtop in very good condition; I’m not much of a mechanic but I’m very stubborn, so I thought a well maintained one (not restored) would be my best starter vehicle. The Series III shared my stubbornness; apparently uncertain it wanted me as its owner, it stranded me several miles from the house in its inaugural drive. The gas gauge did not work, so I thought she just ran out of gas; after a fill-up and some starting fluid she fired right up, the wife drove away and I followed. We made it about 100 yards and then it died again…another walk back to the house!

Thinking I just pulled some crud thru the fuel lines, I towed it back to the house and cleaned the carb, installed a new fuel filter and added some dry gas. It still was starting but not running too long. Eventually I realized there was water in the lines and that it was time to drain the tank, luckily it had a new tank with a drain plug! Success!!!! It’s running good now except for an occasional stumble, but I’m told that is to be expected until I run a few more tanks of gas thru it. My next project is to get the various marker lights to function, fuel gauge and speedometer to work, replace the dry-rotted tires, buy a hoop set and canvas, tailgate kit, and more. I hope the shipping department at Rovers North is ready for some busy days!

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