Text: Jeffrey Aronson. Photos: Arthur Patsouris & Taylor Congleton
Members of Gen X, Gen Y and the Millennial generations consider Woodstock ancient history; the Rover Owners Association of Virginia is only 6 years younger. It has aged much better than many Boomers, and ROAV’s Mid Atlantic Rally, held in October 2009, remains one of the east coast’s most popular weekend gatherings.

Rovers North staffers fight tooth and nail over who gets to attend each year. The battle this year grew even more ferocious when the transportation was to be the Rovers North 2009 Defender 110 fleet export edition. Arthur Patsouris, sales manager, and Taylor Congleton, the field tech for fleet systems, won this year’s scrum. Arthur called the 11 hour, 600 mile drive south, “Everything you envision that is great about a Defender, multiplied by 10. The TD4 Puma diesel is so strong — after driving that, who needs a V-8? (…)

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. (…)

Land Rover’s UK sales for October 2009 have risen for the third consecutive month in a row.

Land Rover sold a total of 2855 units in October 2009 and 28,042 year to date. This is 89% better than October 2008. All of the models saw a rise in sales with Defender up 25%, Freelander 2 up 55%, Discovery up 112%, Range Rover Sport up 210% and Range Rover up 43%.

John Edwards, managing director, Land Rover UK commented: “It’s great to see the market up over 30% and we’re excited to achieve an 89% rise in October versus last year. It demonstrates what an outstanding success the new 2010 model year vehicles have been and proves the importance of having new products in an ever competitive market.”

Land Rover currently sells in over 170 markets around the world. The UK is currently Land Rover’s largest market.

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. (…)

Gaydon, Warwickshire, 8 April 2009 – Today at The New York International Auto Show, Land Rover will unveil the new 2010 Range Rover. A new powerful engine, revolutionary interior technologies and enhanced driving dynamics reinforce its position as one of the world’s most complete luxury 4×4s.

Land Rover’s flagship has been comprehensively updated to deliver more refined and efficient performance, together with the ultimate in interior comfort and craftsmanship.

By Jeffrey B. Aronson
While driving the QE I, my ’66 Series II-A 88” SW, down Vermont’s I- 91 late one winter, I noticed the power dropping off dramatically. Good fortune dictated that this would happen right near a rest area so I coasted in and opened the hood. Nothing looked amiss electrically so I pulled a spark plug, and then all four. Each plug resembled a licorice stick. A sooty, oily gunk covered up what should have been the electrode gap. I cleaned each plug in turn, screwed them back in, started up the car and continued on my way.

Two questions sprang to mind. How did the plugs get so coated, and how on earth did the car keep running? The latter question underscores one of the endearing qualities of Land Rovers. Unlike their owners, they don’t show their age.

by John Robison
In this article I’d like to take you inside the electronics on a Range Rover Sport. I think you’ll be amazed at how sophisticated these machines have become.

If you were to name one particular capability that Land Rover was known for, what would it be? The wise guys among you would pick oil leaks or Lucas electrics, but I’d pick surefootedness or superior traction. To me, that’s what Land Rover is all about. From the very beginning, the Land Rover was a vehicle that went where nothing else could. And even more important – it came back, under its own power.

Story by: Calef Letorney Photo by: Matt Martin
In the Spring 2008 issue of The News, Michael Koch educated us on the brief history of Land Rover Classic Parts (LRCP). Michael also explained how Rovers North bought out a large portion of the LRCP inventory carrying on the Classic Parts Legacy here in North America. What Mikey selfishly hid from his faithful readers is that Rovers North bought many of these Genuine Land Rover Parts at discounted prices. This matters because Genuine Land Rover Parts are forced to compete in a spare parts market where they are pitted against low-cost, mass-produced imitations. With the ability to purchase Genuine Land Rover Parts at discounted prices, Rovers North now offers many Genuine Land Rover Classic Parts at “discount part” prices, making it a better time than ever to choose Land Rover Genuine Parts direct from Rovers North. (…)

As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Land Rover is donating 60 vehicles to the British Red Cross Society and its sister national societies around the world. The vehicles were officially handed over to the President of the Red Cross, HRH The Prince of Wales, during a garden party at Buckingham Palace. In an unprecedented move, the vehicles, a mixture of Defender, Discovery and Freelander models, were arranged in the form of the Red Cross flag in the quadrangle of the palace.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Charter being granted to The British Red Cross by HM King Edward VII. The two landmark anniversaries provide an ideal opportunity to celebrate and recognise the unstinting work of Red Cross volunteers, staff and supporters, as well as the remarkable contribution Land Rover has made to the global aid agency requirement for vehicles over the past 60 years. (…)