Story by: Jeffrey Aronson / Photos by: John Robison and Jeffrey Aronson

In the 19 years of the British Invasion, Vermont’s premier British car event, Land Rovers have generally played the role of the “country cousin” in the family. The 500 vehicles and thousands of people who attend the September event celebrate British marques and models no longer in production – MG, Triumph, Austin Healey, Sunbeam - or rarely seen - Lotus, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce. Look in the back rows, that’s where you find the green oval.

Land Rovers get relegated to the status of clowns (the Rover Polo games in the early ‘90s), barbaric brutes (carrying a cheating Mini-Moke into the woods during a tug-of-war), pack horses (Rovers North’s hilly trail rides), or mud wrestling entertainment (Rovers North trials course). Regardless, a cheery group of Land Rover enthusiasts drive up every year to entertain the Jaguar XK-E and MG T-series owners. (…)

Story & Photos by Jim Edson

Land Rover Bluff City, Memphis, TN, will be hosting a guided trail ride for all Land Rover owners. Whether you’ve never been off-road, or you are an experienced rock crawler, this is your chance to experience what your Land Rover is truly capable of – we have a trail for you. If you don’t want to take your Rover “off-road,” come ride with one of the trained staff from Bluff City, we will have room for you along in one of our vehicles.

I had not been off-roading since SCARR last April (South Central Area Rover Rally in Texas –ed). So, right away I gave up my spot at the annual Texas Rovers trip to the Texas State Fair scheduled the same October weekend. With my ’04 Discovery II G4 running well, new tires on the Casita camper and my new camera I felt ready for this adventure. I had not been to the Superlift Off-Road Vehicle Park in Hot Springs, AR, in several years; all I could remember were some very rocky, long steep hills. (…)

WE ARE FAMILY

Story by Matt Martin & Aaron Williams / Photos by Matt Martin

[Matt Martin, Rovers North’s Marketing Director, selected himself again to attend the Solihull Society’s National Rally. No, we’re not jealous! –ed]

Welcome to Leadville, Colorado. 10,430 breath-taking feet above sea level. 310 days of sunshine every year. It is America’s highest incorporated city, and host of the 2009 Land Rover National Rally.

Since it began in 1989, the event has navigated some of the most thrilling terrain in Utah and Colorado. Now in its 20thyear, the event continues to promote and encourage responsible off-roading while attracting an ever-expanding variety of participants. In Leadville this year, the array of Land Rovers that lined up each morning to traverse the trails reflected the diversity of the marque: old Series, new Range Rovers and LR3’s traveling together, learning from one another and lending a hand when necessary. (…)

Cupid, draw back your bow
And let your arrow go
Straight to my lover’s heart,
for me Nobody but me…

Story by Jeffrey Aronson / Photos by Brenda Salmon & Jeffery Aronson

Ah, love, as crooned by Sam Cooke decades ago. Where does one find amour today?
Why, in the woods of Maine on Valentine’s Day weekend.

February 14, 2009, positively oozed romance. From a crisp morning temperature of 14 degrees F, the warmth in Unity, ME, rose to a balmy 27 degrees. The sun shone brightly, the winds died to gentle zephyrs, and the hum of heater blowers bathed the men and women present in the glow of Valentine’s Day.

Bruce Fowler, Unity, ME, a long-time Land Rover owner/enthusiast, once again organized this three day event. Avid winter campers could “enjoy” the outdoors on land surrounding his house; other less intrepid adventurers succumbed to charms of the “official host hotel,” the Holiday Inn in nearby Waterville. (…)

Story & Photos by Joseph Arvay

[Joseph Arvay, Mendham, NJ, is an orthodontist, avid tennis player, and a collector of 19th century clocks, which he loves to repair. Two of his four Land Rovers reside on Nantucket. Here’s his latest addition. – ed]

It all began in 2003, with my notion that a Defender 90 should become the off-road beach car for vacation time on Nantucket. From our small cottage in the tiny hamlet of Siasconset, we realized we were not alone in our love of the Defender. During my online search for the Defender, I found myself constantly distracted by the sight of Series II-A 109” 5 doors. One in particular really captured my attention – indeed, love at first sight.

Kathy, my wife, had approved of the Defender, but how on earth could I sell her on the idea of an antique 1966 109” Fire Tender from Palfau, Austria? (…)

Adventures in Paradise
Story and Photos by: David Walworth

[David Walworth, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, came to see that his life in the Virgin Islands was incomplete without a Land Rover. Here’s how he experienced his epiphany. –ed]

Two decades ago my life with a ’63 MG Midget MK I, a ’69 Austin America and a ’51 Singer 9 4A seemed complete. Three events transformed my life. First, I saw the movie “The Gods Must Be Crazy” and decided that, if I ever got a truck, it would be a Land Rover. Second, after a year-long program in boat design at The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design in Kennebunkport, ME, I started building boats at Goetz Custom Boats in Bristol, RI.

A broken crankshaft in the MG necessitated the search for a new ride. Eventually I found a ‘67 109 diesel SW in my price range. It had everything desired except for RHD. After being shipped up from North Carolina, I discovered it would not start. Hmm, it’s awfully smoky, too. (…)

Land Rover completes its introduction of the acclaimed new line-up for 2010 at the IAA International Motor Show, Frankfurt. Topping the bill is a new Range Rover Sport Autobiography limited edition and for the first time, a luxurious reclining rear seat package for the Range Rover.

Land Rover’s latest line-up sees exciting developments across the range, including more powerful new engines offering greater fuel efficiency, dynamic upgrades and striking exterior and interior design improvements for the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery 4.

“With August sales up 11.6% against the same period last year, we are now starting to see early signs of stability in the UK market” said John Edwards, managing director Land Rover UK. “We’re therefore convinced that one of the best ways to help keep things moving is to excite potential customers with new and improved vehicles. (…)

Neill Thornton, San Diego, CA

[Neill Thornton, San Diego, CA, grew up in Northern California and now works as an IT professional for the U.S. Navy on board the USNS Mercy. He serves, too, as a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy Reserve with the Marine Corps’ 4th Tank Battalion. Here’s his newest Land Rover experience –ed]

Four years ago, I felt motivated to buy a new car to take advantage of the “Accelerated Depreciation” I could claim on my annual taxes. After talking to my accountant, I armed myself with a list of Sport Utilities that met the IRS requirements for an eligible vehicle. Marques such as BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus sat at the top of the list. Down near the bottom was a vehicle I only had a passing knowledge about – “Land Rover Discovery.” Little did I know at the time that after visiting all the dealerships, taking numerous test drives and kicking lots of tires I would end up as the proud owner of a Land Rover LR3. (…)

Tyler in his Land Rover Series IIA high altitude off-roading around Reno, NV
Story & Photos by Tyler Mattson

[Tyler Mattson, Reno, NV, is a 17 year old junior at North Valleys High School and an Eagle Scout. He already owns three Rovers: a ’69 II-A Bugeye, a “highly modified” ’59 Series II 109”, and his “luxury ride,” a ’92 Range Rover Hunter. Here’s what happens when school is delayed one day–.ed]

I was raised on Land Rovers and don’t ever plan to change. In 17 years I’ve discovered a love for 4 x 4’s, camping and exploring the great outdoors.

One Tuesday morning, I woke up to an announcement of a three-hour delayed start for school. Yes! I made a few phone calls and set up a little outing into the unknown. We all met at the local McDonalds at 8:00 and started out away from town. Our group consisted of three vehicles: Eli’s ‘81 Jeep CJ-5, Ryan’s ‘87 Toyota Land Cruiser and my 69’ Land Rover Series II-A 88” Bugeye. (…)