Range Rover Classic - Rackspace Hosting

Employee Profile – Rob Smith
When you call Rovers North for parts or service assistance, you’ll likely
speak with Rob Smith. If your question involves service, repairs, or
offroading in a Series Land Rover or Defender, he’ll be advising you
from experience.
He’s a native Vermonter who seemed destined to wind up at
Rovers North. Born in Burlington, Rob grew up in the town next door,
Essex Junction, and still lives there. And Westford is but one town
northeast of Essex Junction.
Rob grew up back when Land Rover only sent the Range Rover
to the US market. By the time he finished his business studies at
Champlain College and a community college, Land Rover was still
considering what to do with the Defender for the US market.
runs great for me and I really enjoy being in it.”
He remains a huge enthusiast of the Defender. “If I were
president of Land Rover, I’d want them to bring back the Defender to
the US market, relatively unchanged from the early ‘90’s model. The
‘94-‘95 Defenders are just one step up from a Series vehicle. They
have the OBD diagnostic box that can be checked inexpensively and
easily to help identify fault codes.”
If you wanted to buy a Defender, Rob advises looking at the
chassis and firewall first for corrosion. Originality is now an issue,
too. After that, check out the engine and drivetrain. Fourth on his list
would be electrical. Some interior bits are becoming harder
to source, but operational and repair items remain in stock from
He became interested in Rovers North because “I loved cars. I
knew nothing about Land Rovers when I took the job; I knew Jeeps,
that was it. Soon after I started here, I went offroading with other staff
members and saw first hand what a Land Rover could accomplish.”
Soon after, he bought his first Land Rover, a ’69 Series II-A
Bugeye. Rob remembers that “a customer walked into Rovers North
with an offer to sell his car for $500. I bought it on the spot. It needed
a lot work, but with guidance from more experienced staff members,
I repaired it. Les Parker really helped me with the electrics. You
can’t see the electricity – that’s why it’s so mysterious to me!”
Rob sold his ’69 Series II-A for a ’70 Series II-A ex-MOD 109”,
and then purchased his current Land Rover, a ’94 Defender 90, in
2000. He has installed Rovers North sill protectors and a Rovers
North soft top, Old Man Emu heavy duty suspension and a fuel tank
guard. He runs BF Goodrich All Terrain tires on his Rover. The Rover
came with 52,000 and now has 94,000 miles on the odometer. “It
4
Land Rover through Rovers North.
You may well have met Rob at east coast events such as the Mid
Atlantic Rally in Virginia, the Southern New Hampshire Rally, and the
British Invasion and RoverFest events in Vermont. He loves attending
and participating but admits that “the 16 hour one way drivers to the
MAR in a heavy duty suspension Defender 90 does wear me out!
Otherwise, I’d love to attend more events.”
“What’s the fun of the job I’ve worked at Rovers North in
shipping, purchasing and sales. I’ve been instructing for the 4x4
Centre off road school during the summers. I get to work with Land
Rovers every day.”
“I use my Defender for hunting and offroading. When you drive
around in your Land Rover, nothing compares with it. Unlike the
Hummer, it really can do what it looks like it can do.”
_______ ________
Orders: (800) 403-7591 website: www.roversnorth.com