Have you ever owned a Land Rover?

[Forrester]

1992 Defender 110 200 Tdi.

Drove if for 20+ years, but laid up at the moment (and has been for nearly 10 years). It needs a new chassis, new bulkhead (more holes than a swiss cheese), new doors (general rot), new seats (mice), the heating doesn't work (never did), the LT77 gearbox is missing 3rd gear, the transfer gearbox splines are partially stripped, the front suspension is broken. The only good thing about it is the engine. I'm planning to rebuild it when I eventually retire.

So, I went for a test drive in a Grenadier a couple of weeks ago and realized how much I missed driving the old 110: I really, really wanted something I could drive and that didn't drive me - if you see what I mean. The 110 was (is) cold, uncomfortable and slow - but I loved it (and still do).

So test drive finished, I ordered a Grenadier Commercial 2-seater (Inky Black) on the spot which I will hopefully collect shortly. There are a number of reasons why a 2-seater Commercial, not least being the requirement to transport 3 very large dogs (think full sized wolves) around.

I truely cannot see what the complaints about the steering are - I felt I was home again in my Defender. It felt perfect to me - I'm coming out of a very nice BMW 5-series with self centering steering. It gets me from A to B faultlessly. It's quiet, economical and the heating works. But it's sooo boring to drive!

 

[Dokatd]

Brits shouldn't be allowed to play this game!!

I'm very jealous of all the Series owners. For some odd reason I just haven't had the pleasure of owning a Series. I have some seat time, just never owned. I've had plenty of later Rovers but those aren't all as cool.

 

[cyson]

Something about the recessed middle of the front is quirky on those Series truck. That makes them extra appealing and cool.

I've never owned a Series truck either, but plenty of them afterwards.

A guilty pleasure of mine are actually the L320 Range Rover Sports with the V8. I just the engine had great personality, the interior had cool vibes, and the exterior styling was spot on. I miss the one I had and probably would still have it if someone motorcyclist didn't total it. Very unfortunate all around.

 

[Krabby]

For me, as it relates to Series trucks, once the headlights moved to the wings they lost a lot of charm. A close friend had a very nice Series III 88 but it never did it for me. That said, once the 90/110/Defender came along, LR got the look right once again.

 

[Guru]

Brits shouldn't be allowed to play this game!!

I'm very jealous of all the Series owners. For some odd reason I just haven't had the pleasure of owning a Series. I have some seat time, just never owned. I've had plenty of later Rovers but those aren't all as cool.

Agreed…… this bad boy is in our shop now waiting to be converted to EV… I KNOW I KNOW lots of you will gasp in horror..
I challenge anyone to come & drive it then give your opinion. Our prototype Series was up in the hills during the LR 75th anniversary and the “old hands” loved it.

 

[Zimm]

I’ve always been a fan of capstan Winches. The recess with the capstan is the best of all worlds. If I could find an 8000lb unit I could adapt to a bumper, I’d have one on this.

 

[Blackwolf]

I've always felt that the beginning of the end for Land-Rover was the moment plastic appeared on the dash and grill. It's been downhill all the way since then.

 

[AWo]

For me, as it relates to Series trucks, once the headlights moved to the wings they lost a lot of charm. A close friend had a very nice Series III 88 but it never did it for me. That said, once the 90/110/Defender came along, LR got the look right once again.

That was required by law from 1969 on....that's why my Series 2a (1971) hast got the lights in the wings. Yes, a drawback, but I still love that Old Lady, still running strong.

AWo

 

[Happyoldgit]

Oh, I forgot to mention I also owned an ex military 101 Forward Control ambulance and an ex military Series III Lightweight too. The former a beast and the latter I wish I had kept especially remembering the huge effort of removing umpteen layers of squaddie applied cammo paint and original factory applied bronze green down to bare aluminium. By that time I had also added a hardtop and what they used to call a safari back door before etch priming and respraying it in cellulose deep bronze green again. That would have been 1980 ish and I was the first civvy owner.

 

[Cheshire cat]

Just in negotiations over selling mine. Beginning to have second thoughts.
It's iconic status, and a deep appreciation of its ruggedness and simplicity are getting in the way of my sensible and logical reasoning.
Something about them that really gets under the skin. Apart from corrosion.

 

[AWo]

Oh, I forgot to mention I also owned an ex military 101 Forward Control ambulance and an ex military Series III Lightweight too. The former a beast and the latter I wish I had kept especially remembering the huge effort of removing umpteen layers of squaddie applied cammo paint and original factory applied bronze green down to bare aluminium. By that time I had also added a hardtop and what they used to call a safari back door before etch priming and respraying it in cellulose deep bronze green again. That would have been 1980 ish and I was the first civvy owner.

Happy still to own two 101's...

AWo

 

[LabRat]

All modern era, post Tata acquisition:

• 2010 LR4 LUX V8
• 2012 RR L322 SC V8SC
• 2016 LR4 Landmark V6SC - daughter driving it now
• 2019 RRS SVR - ex driving it now