What got you started in Land Rovers?

[n_maher]

In 1991 my dad and I went halves on a '68 Series IIA. We found it while bringing my older brother to college. The hope was to work on it together and while we were successful at getting it back on the road in time for my 16th birthday ultimately a swiss cheese frame and persistent electrical issues forced it out of my life in the fall of '93. I've missed it ever since. I've toyed with the idea of picking one up again for about the last 10 years and with 90's and 110's finally reaching an importable age I hope to bring one back into the fold in the next couple of years.

[Sputnicker]

I bought my 60 Series 2 88 in 1975 on a lark and still have it. A friend of mine who worked at the Land Rover dealership in Phoenix told me about an elderly couple who were selling a well-cared for Land Rover for $600 (which they had bought new). I jumped on it. Maybe the best $600 I ever spent.

The Wild Kingdom and a few old movies probably planted the seed when I was a kid. I was also a British car mechanic at the time and the old timers I worked with had a pretty high regard for Land Rovers.

[artpeck]

My grandparents essentially retired to east Africa when I was growing up and came back a few times a year with pictures. Most had landles in them. In the early 80s I lived in southern Africa and landies were part of the experience. In the mid 90s we took our kids on extended safari and once again, landies were everywhere. I then got involved in (RED) focused on eliminating HIV, TB and malaria on the African continent (work in progress but huge progress made so check it out if you are interested. http://www.joinred.com/red/ )and that took me back again many times. A theme here...the amazing place that Africa is became intertwined with Land Rovers so my interest was probably bringing a bit of that home. Started with a 98 Disco, then a 2006 RR, a 1995 D-90 and now the 1973 S3. Sorry for the long answer but they are special and have an emotional lure that few other marques have...at least to me.

[smukai]

The Rover passion probably extends back to around the first time I saw "The Gods Must be Crazy" around junior high ('89?). Then came the BF Goodrich ads I saw with the AT's mounted to the Defender.

Tried to get an 88" back in the mid-'90's. My Dad and I took one for a test drive and assumed something was wrong with the tranny when 2nd would only grind. Dad just laughed the entire time.

Finally got my 109 in the end of '99.

10 years to realize a dream...not so bad!

[1971Series88]

I totally wanted to be Alby Mangels when I was a kid...... I still do really. He should be in some kind of hall of fame.

Dude....remember all the hot chicks in bikinis he always traveled with!!! Not to mention his boat....holy crap I lived vicariously through him as a teenager!

[westcoastkevin]

Dude....remember all the hot chicks in bikinis he always traveled with!!! Not to mention his boat....holy crap I lived vicariously through him as a teenager!

That is the same guy......

[garycox]

Wild Kingdom

I don't own a LR as yet. My interest is peaked by several things.

I have owned a few British vehicles and profess a real weakness for the need to have another.

Like many here have stated my first recollections of Landys was seeing Marlon and Jim in the wilds of Africa. That show must have been pretty popular. Who would have thunk so many here cited it as a source of starting the LR flame. They just look so cool in those shows.

Interestingly I looked up a few old episodes on YouTube to see if it was like I recall and in one they roamed about in FJ40's. So there is that too.

[mrdoiron]

For me, I started out in Canada with a Jeep, then as jobs got better eventually a LR Disco - totaled it in a snowstorm, but was amazed at the front crumple zone cushion affect to absorb the energy. Then got another, that went to the wife eventually, and got a RR. From there the obvious interest in history and started admiring older series, and watched for opptys to get one.

Eventually did, and since then 2 Ser IIa's and SerIII ltwgt, dumped the newer Disco and RR.
Kinda still a love-hate relationship :-)

mike

[knac1234]

Growing up, "Auntie" Ann had one to run around in the muddy fields of her farm across from us in the Cotswolds (Nailsworth). Was only 10 when I left the UK, but I remember her 88 marine blue Landy (too young to remember if it was a 2, 2a, or 3!!). Then, of course, all of the references in movies, safaris, Africa, etc...

Always wanted one, but living in So Cal the other sentimental Brit cars came first (MGs and Imp). Bought a Freelander when working in the So Cal mountains for the snow (loved it.....maybe I'm one of the few). Moved to Colorado and needed another 4wd for the new wife.....got a Disco. Then, after being tired of the 2wd F150 in the winter, sold it and bought the Series III.....wanted a classic that could handle the snow and did not have to stay in the garage like the MGs and the Imp 5 months of the year or so!

And now, the wife is converted, as she "requested" we trade in the Freelander for a new LR2....made that trade a couple months ago!

Julian

[Cutter]

Like most I saw the Gods Must be Crazy but I didn't really catch the bug through that, but it was probably my first exposure. The real bite was when my good friend from college got a ex-mod SIII when we lived in Boston post graduation. He didn't have anywhere to work on it so we would wrench in alleys and things around town. It was a blast to drive around in, go camping and off-roading in. I loved the minimalism, simplicity and looks of the things, and 10 years late had the chance to jump in so I took it.

I honestly haven't had a chance to off road my 109 really, which kills me since driving it around town seems like a horrible underutilization. Regardless, it puts a big smile on my face to drive it in any fashion.

[LR Max]

When I was 14, my dad and I were really into hunting. Literally, every weekend we were out there following something or shooting at something. At the time he drove a 95 disco and the space inside was pretty crappy when you start adding big coolers, climbers, big gun cases, etc.

So one day my father's co-worker hears from his friends friends sisters father (keep on going!) that he is selling this old truck. My father and I go see it since we wanted something that could hit a tree and win (he was a little protective of the discovery). Its the 1973 Land Rover 109. I fall in love with this thing. I then spend the next four months, everyday, trying to convince my father to buy it.

He bought it. After a year of misery, it ran and drove. It was my first car and only car until half way through college. Yes, we used it for hunting but also I drove it, it was my daily driver. Both parents were surprised that I stuck with it and continue to be amazed that I'm still focused on it after so many years.

Heck, we just getting started

[Les Parker]

So many '60's references though none of Daktari my first sighting of a Series Landrover on TV. In black and white and still enjoyed it !!

[o2batsea]

As I watched the last two of my Willys station wagons go off into the sunset, my wife's words to me were something along the lines of "no more projects or antiques"
Not two weeks later she bought the 1966 109 for me for a fifth wedding anniversary. That was 18 years ago

[lincoln lass]

Seems that I started sumat.

What about some old photos?

[Skookumchuck]

Africa has always facinated me and what says Africa better than a Land Rover. I also saw the Gods must be Crazy and finnally after three years of looking bought the Red Rover. It is the only thing I drve now. she is off road at least once per week but it helps when you live in the mountains.