Jeffrey AronsonMud season, New England’s fifth season, has ended and summer looms ahead (although as we go to press, weather forecasts call for snow in the mountains). Sighters who don’t live in northern New England probably don’t have to bring in more firewood every night or search out jackets and hoodies for outdoor work. That gives them more time to look for Land Rovers in unique settings in print or on screen.
As always, it’s useful for novice Sighters and veterans to review the rules of the contest:
Rule #1 — All Sightings receive recognition and our appreciation, but not necessarily a mug. We reward only those Sightings that capture the unique qualities of Land Rovers and display them in a distinctive way.
Rule #2 — If your Sighting doesn’t surprise you, it won’t surprise us, either — thus, we can’t award you a mug. We’re delighted, but not surprised, that Land Rovers appear in British television programs, British publications, films with British themes, and shows about African safaris. These Sightings are appreciated, but not mug-worthy.
Rule #3 — At an ever-changing date before publication, we close off the Sightings; for this issue, it was April 30, 2023. If we’ve mentioned the Sighting in an earlier issue, we might not mention it again. If you’re new to the family of Land Rover enthusiasts, you may not have seen your Sighting in an earlier issue.
Rule #4 — If you qualify, one mug per Sighting per issue. No more than two Coveted Mugs will be awarded to the same person per year.
Rule #5 — Sightings that are Land Rover references in books go to our Literary Land Rover
Editor for the mention, but only when space permits.
Rule #6 — Psst… email submissions — remember we can’t send a mug by email. To be considered for a Coveted Mug, send us your real name and shipping address too.
Rule #7 — Snail mail sightings must be sent to:
Editor, Rovers Magazine, P.O. Box 90, Vinalhaven, ME 04863.
Rule #8 — Grudgingly, very grudgingly, the Editor admits he might have made an error. Let us know if you think you’ve been jobbed, but all decisions of the Editor are final.
Forget about “the cover of Rolling Stone,” as Dr. John sang – what about a Land Rover on the cover of Yankee Magazine? Sherry Block, Hadlyme, CT, managed to send in the Sighting the day before our cut-off date. She also noted that the State of New Hampshire’s visitor ad featured an AA Yellow NAS Defender.
Whether online or in print, clothing companies love to outfit their wares on appealing models and place them around Land Rovers. Patrick Parsons, Honolulu, HI, couldn’t miss the Defender windshield on a PQ Swim online ad, and needs a new mug, “as I embark on my new garage build to house my Land Rovers.” Mike Fredie, Waterford, CT, and Brent Lane, Saco, ME, noted the Bennett Winch online ad for their luggage, “handmade in England.” David Russ, Lyme, NH, spotted an Elevation Clothing ad in Hanover Magazine that features a Barbour coat-clad couple in front of a Defender with a British license plate. REI used a Series soft top and tailgate to highlight their expensive boots, noted Lyndon Nolan, Boise, ID.
Most everything advertised looks more impressive when there’s a Land Rover present. Talbot Rickard, Acton, ME, spotted a Defender in an online video promoting the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone. Nick Gough, Boulder Creek, CA spotted an ad for GoTreads recovery boards that included a line drawing with the distinctive, angled 109” rear door outline on their instructional illustrations. “I was definitely on the receiving end of some teasing from my off-road buddies who drive Toyotas,” he wrote. Kevin Thayer, Glade Spring, VA, noted that the Laguna Beach Textile Company showed off its Native American design rug over the seats of a Series III. Anthony Brooks [See Rule #6] wrote, “you know you’re old when you’re receiving your first issue of AARP magazine. This one had an article on a bucket list trip in Africa, and of course, in a Land Rover.
Television producers know how Land Rovers draw eyeballs, so it’s no surprise that the British producers of Luther: The Fallen Sun, would choose a Defender-in-action in their trailer, reported Sherry Block, Hadlyme, CT. Brent Lane, Saco, ME, watched the opening episodes of Super Turbo Story Time, and noted that the hosts stood in front of a burnt-orange Defender. The BBC created a program to investigate the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, and Bo Prillaman, Richmond, VA, happily spotted a “two-second glimpse” of a Defender 110.
It almost belongs in our Literary Land Rover pile, but P T Schram, Churubusco, IN, read a piece that was “probably fiction” on BoredPanda.com and believes the rear door to be that of a Defender 110. The British Classic & Sports Car Magazine, a personal favorite, chronicled the “26 Landmark Four Wheel Drive Cars, and number 5 in their article was the Land Rover. David Russell, Snellville, GA, found an article in Family Handyman on the best solar-powered coolers, and there’s a Defender 110 to draw your attention to the story.
In the Unusual Sighting category, Kraig Mackett, Perrysburg, OH, has made a compelling case for a mug. Historics Auctioneers hosted the London Classic Car Show in February, and the catalog listed hundreds of vehicles from Alfas to VWs, and only two Land Rovers – but guess which vehicle earned the coveted cover shot? The Series Land Rover! Similarly, Aubrion has sponsored an ad campaign for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, notes Galen Lentz, Port Matilda, PA. The campaign uses an L316 Defender in their online ad, not the Defender L663 as would be expected. California Magazine features a road-trip article with an ad for a Laguna Beach hotel; the ad has a great side shot of a Defender 110 beside a palm tree on a deserted beach.
P T Schram, Churubusco, IN, noted that a website testing the “best ham radios for your Jeep” featured a white Defender 90! Mike Archer, Victoria, BC, admired the “majestic” artwork on the wall of a Liquor Planet store, featuring a Defender 110 confronting a Jurassic Park-type dinosaur. James Hutchison, Cambridge, MA, enjoyed seeing an Innocenti poster ad for a Series III – all in Italian but looking good! Leighton Dowdle, Marion, NC, noted that Russell Moccasins in Wisconsin came into a stash of Rogue coolers – they used a Defender 90 Puma in their online ad.
We’ve mentioned these Sightings in previous issues, but we want to credit the Sighters for all their efforts. Mike Fredie, Waterford, CT, found the Faherty ad with the rear of a Series Rover in Ireland; TeriAnne Wakeman, [See Rule #6] saw the same ad. The remake of The Italian Job features thieves driving Defenders, noted P T Schram, Churubusco, IN. The British firm Burberry often includes Land Rovers in their ads, and Bruce Bishop, Tucson, AZ, was happy to share one with us. Hans Van Lancker, Milton, MA, and Jeremy Andrist, Snownomish, WA, noted the Range Rover Classic in a Griots Garage catalog. Buzz Dozier, Jacksonville, FL, was very excited to see the LEGO Defender kit. Duck Head clothing featured a Series III in a Grau’s Sporting Journal ad, noted Mike Olinger, Lockbourne, OH, and Ray Rozic, Cabot, PA. James Purdey & Sons’ Shotguns of the UK features a convoy of Land Rovers in their online ad, noted Jason Sheehy, Mt Sterling, OH. Sid Wall, Houston, TX, enjoyed seeing the RHD Series Land Rover in the UK Martin Dingman ad.