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? (…)

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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. (…)

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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. (…)

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Here’s an interesting 1961 Series IIA 109 Land Rover with some rallye heritage. Owner Bob Lowe in CT prepared his Series IIA 109 for the serious “HERO Inca Trail” Classic reliability Trial rallye in 2001. Previously featured in an older issue of the Rovers North News, these Series 109 photos have been unarchived and posted for all to enjoy. The 109 received proper parts and preparation prior to this event from Rovers North. These photos weer taken in 2002 after the Series IIA 109 returned from the event.

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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. (…)

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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. (…)

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