Jeffrey Aronson
Dear Rovers North,
As I have been in isolation at home working on my Land Rover and cleaning the house, I found this newspaper clipping that I saved from the Cleveland Plain Dealer when I was 15-years-old. My mother had picked up her ’95 Range Rover LWB from the dealership the previous spring and I became obsessed with Defenders after seeing one in the showroom. I saved this article because I had a dream to own a Defender and attend your driving school. One of those dreams has come true and I certainly appreciate Rovers North’s help in maintaining my Defender.
David Becker
Dayton, OH
[Congratulations on reaching one goal — we hope that there’s a Land Rover Experience Owner’s Day in your future! -ed.]
Dear Rovers North,
Now that we’re in 2020, I thought it would be “fun” to make an inventory of the Land Rover fixes I completed in 2019. Mine is a ’60 Series II 109” three-door. It’s my daily driver, taking me along the Massachusetts Turnpike twice a day, as well as hauling supplies and materials anywhere I need them. In 2019, I put about 5,000 miles on the odometer. The biggest repair, after 15 years of ownership, was a rebuild of the 5-bearing engine that came with the Rover. Next came replacing the leaking fuel tank, gear shift lever after it snapped off, a left rear directional bulb and a front right parking light, a wiper motor, and a rear hub seal leak. 2020 has seen the replacement of the duff starter with a high torque one and a broken rear axle shaft. Thanks to Rovers North for all the help.
Frank Hamm
Boston, MA
[“It’s never over in a Rover!” You have an impressive 109”, Frank, and it’s doing what Land Rovers were built to do! -ed.]
Dear Rovers North,
With each issue of Rovers Magazine that arrives carrying remarkable tales and images of steel and aluminum (and rust), I marvel at the prolificacy of your writers and photographers. How do you produce so much material between publications! Well, it’s just a treasure for the reader, that’s all.
Your Editor, Jeff Aronson, suggested once at an Old North State Uhwarrie event that the carburetor on the old IIA might be replaced with one from a different manufacturer. Well, the old one hasn’t improved any. Since I’m ordering some parts, please say what the replacement should be. Thanks very much!
Everett Stiles
Macon County, NC
[I remember driving your IIA fondly! Rovers North carries both Zenith and Weber carburetors, as well as repair kits -ed.]
Dear Rovers North,
I hope this note finds you doing well. I have not been to a Land Rover event for a couple years because I travel weekly to Colombia, where I look out for Land Rovers (mostly of the Santana variety, of course).
Attached are some Santana Land Rovers spotted in Santa Marta and Cartagena, Colombia.
Pete Burrus
Franklin, TN
[Land Rover events for most of this year have been cancelled due to the pandemic, so you haven’t missed much. Perhaps you could bring one of those Santanas or Defenders home with you? -ed.]
Dear Rovers North,
My wife and I were aboard Princess Cruise’s Royal Princess at the end of February, just prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in the US. I’m happy to report that we are healthy and never took ill. That way I’m still able to enjoy my NAS Defender 90. It’s my third, but not all at the same time.
Will Killmer
San Diego, CA
[We’re very glad to hear you and your wife are healthy and driving around in your Defender! -ed.]
Dear Rovers North,
We’re pleased to announce that the Land Rover Experience Centers in Manchester, VT, Asheville, NC, Carmel, CA and Montebello, QC, have officially reopened as of August 1. The Centers provide the perfect setting for enthusiasts to learn new skills and tackle challenging terrains. They feature the latest line up of Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles, and Owner’s Day events enable enthusiasts to drive their personal Land Rovers on the course.
The Centers have taken extra precautions in the midst of Covid-19 to ensure that participants and instructors are safe, including PPE and contactless booking and payment. Each Experience Center offers one-hour, two-hour, and half day programs.
Thanks for sharing this with your readers.
[We’ve always had a great time at the Land Rover Experience and wish you every success -ed.]