Range Rover Classic - Rackspace Hosting

I studied the gray Rover, noting the original paint inside and the
condition of the truck. Yes, this truck had sat for a very long time. Its
inspection sticker read 1981, and I’m pretty sure that’s the last time
it was run. The tires looked possibly original, the pedals had
virtually no wear on the rubber, and the body was dent-free. Could it
be that the 41K miles on the odometer were original
I spent the next several weeks trying to decide if I really wanted
to salvage this truck. After all, what a project it would be! And did I
need another Rover Living in the heart of Boston, not even needing
a car at all, does it make any sense that I already own a new FJ Cruiser
replicar and a 1967 Rover II-A Now I’m thinking about restoring
another Rover I blame it on car addiction. That’s really the only way
I can justify all of this.
With the help and prodding of various Rovers North forum board
members, I soon realized that this truck was too good to part out. It
was basically a “barn-find” that unfortunately did not have a barn to
For now, the gray Rover (original mid-grey, I’m told) sits quietly
in a cold field in New Hampshire. This spring will begin a thorough
cleaning. I have already hooked up a battery and determined all
electronics, with the exception of wiper, function well. The starter
kicks, but the engine seems stuck. That was last week. This
weekend, after a week of sitting with Marvel Mystery Oil in the
cylinders, I’ll give a good tug on the engine and see if I can turn
it over.
Enthusiasts like to think that Rovers are an “obsession,” but we
know they’re an “addiction.” How else to explain my 14 hour drive
to Michigan to pick up a tropical top for my current ’65 II-A Family
responsibilities and my own preference for on-road safety keep me in
a new, air bag equipped FJ (old truck appeal with contemporary
engineering), but nothing can take away to feeling of driving a
50-year old mechanical beast that you can work on yourself. Series
Rovers are slow and they are unsafe in these modern times of
protect it from rust. Even the original ashtray was there. The body
had no dents. The tailgate was complete with all the bits. Even
elephant hide - colored sheaths still encased the tailgate chains! All
the elephant hide seats cushions and squabs sat proudly and a
complete Kodiak heater stood ready to burn my passenger’s feet. The
truck seemed to be begging to be brought back to life. No, I
couldn’t part this truck out! It will become my summer project! She
will ride again!
go-go-go. They beat you up after even a fairly short drive. Yet, at the
age of 30, I can’t get enough of them. I have a feeling this is only the
beginning of a larger Rover collection (obsession/addiction). I’ll be
writing more about the revival of my latest Land Rover. For now,
though, send good Rover karma my way – I’m probably going to need
it this summer!
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