RANGE ROVER.....

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We've had two different Range Rovers in the family over the past few years.  Our first one was a 1991 County that was used as a daily driver and farm hand.  It covered over 300,000kms before being sold to its current owner who  know has almost 500K on the original drive train.  These vehicles seemed to be the best of Rover during the 90's and have always been one of my favorite designs of any vehicle.  They are extremely capable off-road without any modifications, and are very well suited for highway and road travel.  These versions would make an ideal expedition vehicle.  The fact that they can be had very cheaply make them only more desirable. 

The other Range Rover, which is still with us, is a 1979 Range Rover 2-door.  This vehicle was purchased in California in the mid 1990's as a grey market vehicle.  For legal California licensing it had to be modified to meet stringent emission requirements with the work being done by AMG Corporation in Los Angeles.  Since the truck is now over 25 years old that is no longer a concern.  This truck has all the utility of the Series vehicles with the added benefit of full-time 4WD, coil spring suspension, and disc brakes at all four corners.  This gives it a more comfortable ride and better handling characteristics.  These are some pictures of when it was "new" to me.

This Rover now finds its home in Ontario, Canada and has proved to be just as capable on the muddy trails as it was on the sandy trails of California.  Since Helmut came to be, the Rover sees less trail time, but still goes on weekend camping trips and sunny weekend drives.  This Rover is in really good shape for its age, and I was tired of "punishing" it  in the swamps and mud holes of Ontario.  It has performed admirably but its motor is tired, and the drive train is due for a "freshening" which is on the list of future projects.  I'm not sure what direction I will go with it,  I'm thinking of restoring it to original condition rather than a trail truck.  This is not to say that this Rover isn't a capable vehicle.  Driven properly, it is every bit as good as anything else on the trail, and after many years it has never left me stranded and is still in great shape despite all the abuse it takes off-road.