Jeffrey AronsonEast Coast or West Coast, Land Rover events always feature fascinating enthusiasts doing amazing things.
In May, JLR’s Defender took over the 500-acre Cedar Lake Estate, Port Jervis, NY, for the latest Destination Defender, hosting 2,000 enthusiasts with trail drives in new Defenders, hikes, outdoor grilling classes, an array of historic Series and Defenders on display, and fascinating presentations about the intersection of art, music, design, romance and Land Rovers.
Defenders inspire old-school enthusiasts like to me to imagine my Series IIA at work, travel and adventure – indeed, these emotional experiences reverberate every time I look at them. For younger and/or newer enthusiasts, a Defender elicits different emotional responses. That’s what compels musicians like John Mayer, and athletes/influencers like Lindsay Vonn and Gabby Reece to remain Land Rover enthusiasts. At Destination Defender, I met enthusiasts who stretched my understanding even more.
For instance, Set Free Richardson, the “Creative Jedi” of Compound, his Brooklyn-based agency that works at the intersection of art, music and design. His marketing creations for AND1, Clarks and ESPN have won him significant recognition and fame. Defender Brand Director Sam Allen interviewed Richardson about the emotional connection he has with his Land Rovers, which include a ’91 Great Divide edition, a ’97 Range Rover 4.6 P38A and a ‘25 Range Rover. Richardson told me, “It was such a pleasure to share the stage with Sam Allen and to share my story and journey with the Land Rover brand.”
JLR’s Jeff Ehoodin moderated a panel promoting the Land Rover enthusiast community. Cooper Murray, founder of The Vineyard Series, Bill Cooper, a collector (Pink Panther, two Camel Trophy vehicles) and ANARC Board member, and I explored the wide range of Land Rover gatherings and rallies. After the presentation, enthusiast Cynthia Pace, Baltimore, MD, explored the intersection of off-roading and executive leadership in a fascinating conversation.
I also met Product Specialist Jamie Tam, who first connected with her future husband, Colin, while working the 2020 Cleveland Auto Show. The courtship took its time, but when they decided to wed, they chose an elopement in Iceland. Who knew that there’s an impressive elopement photography industry that will arrange and document your getaway in stunning locales? Jamie and Colin had already decided on eloping to Iceland when they connected with a Tyler Roe Photography Workshop, which included videographer Nicholas Brooks. Best of all, they toured the island nation in a Defender; in a phone interview, they declared the Defender, “the perfect wedding and honeymoon vehicle.”
[If elopement is in your future, see http://www.tylerrye.com and http://www.nomadfilms.co -ed.]
Although recent wet weather had muddied up the demonstration trails, I enjoyed a drive under the tutelage of Land Rover Driving Team Instructor (and former Camel Trophy competitor) Fred Monsees. Whereas in heritage Series or Defenders you’d need to focus on the mystical combination of momentum and traction, this new Defender simply juked its way up the trail as you concentrated on steering. After observing my off-road technique, Fred breathed a loud sigh of relief and stared at the heavens.
The line of enthusiasts waiting for their Defender drive never seemed to shorten, demonstrating the infectious appeal of the marque to its enthusiasts. JLR CEO Joe Eberhardt looked deservedly pleased with the popularity of the Destination Events and signaled his hope that they will only continue to grow in attendance.
August brought another round of “California Dreamin’” as again this year, JLR and Land Rover Classic teamed up to create a public display of significant Land Rovers. In addition to climbing in and out of significant Land Rovers, like Barbara Toy’s “Pollyanna,” Tim Slessor’s “Oxford,” Bristol Foster’s “Grizzly Torque,” or Range Rovers like the British Trans-America Expedition vehicles, the week-long event provided great opportunities to connect with Land Rover enthusiasts worldwide.
Spending time with Series I experts Ike Goss and Linus Tremaine of Pangolin 4×4 and Rebelle Rally competitor Jenna Fribley always proves a treat and sometimes a lifeline, Ike and JLR’s Travis Martin helped a distraught and elderly Jaguar XK120 competitor repair a split coolant hose on the show field.
Land Rover enthusiast Tyler Lucks, Columbus, OH, provided three Land Rovers (“Grizzly Torque,” “Great Divide Range Rover,” Camel Trophy Defender 110) for this year’s event. Only two months before, he’d received a phone call from the family that owned this historic 1989 Range Rover. Would Tyler be interested in buying an original Great Divide Range Rover? Most assuredly, he would! Tyler and his team succeeded in getting it into reasonable shape for Pebble Beach.
Land Rover Classic’s Mike Bishop worked tirelessly to curate and sort the vehicles for the display. He also arranged for Pollyanna’s steward Tom Pickford, his wife Kerry and their good friend Simon Lake to present; Tom and Simon Lake’s shops specialize in Series I Land Rovers. Tom participated in the Pebble Beach Forum presentation on the Great Expeditions and spoke about Barbara Toy and her extraordinary life. Tom had met Barbara as a kid hanging around his grandfather’s Land Rover shop (now named Vintage Land Rover) in Bicester, Oxfordshire, and is delighted to be the steward of “Pollyanna,” her Series I. Meeting Tom, Kerry and Simon brought Barbara Toy back to life through their stories and personal experiences. Tom also shared a copy of Lesley Wildman’s new biography of Barbara Toy, Which Way Now; The Three Lives of Barbara Toy (2025), based on her letters and archives.
Near the end of Sunday, Land Rover Classic had 10 vehicles to move a long distance and not enough drivers. That got me behind the steering wheel of “Grizzly Torque,” the Canadian-based Series I 107” owned and maintained by Tyler Lucks. Settling into the non-adjustable seats and non-synchro first to second gearbox, I felt right at home. It ran smoothly and handled deftly – well, like a long wheelbase Series I, anyway. With time, I felt it could have taken me back home to Maine. Shamelessly, I waved to the applauding throngs as if it were my own.
JLR took over a stunning property to create another Range Rover House experience. There we met Chris Cattle of JLR Special Vehicles. Like any proper enthusiast, Chris and I introduced ourselves to each other by sharing phone photos of our heritage Land Rovers [interview in upcoming issue -ed]. From there, Land Rover Driving Team Instructor Warren Blevins hid his chagrin as I drove a “base” Range Rover SE; despite his concerns, I returned it in one piece. Thanks, also, to product specialists Daryl Roth, Crystal Foster and others for making wannabes like me feel right at home.
Social media influencer Nadia Capasso, Staten Island, NY, reached out to commend the Pebble Beach organization for its enhanced presence online; in a phone interview, they acknowledged a special effort this year to expand their coverage. For Land Rover enthusiasts everywhere, the 2025 Concours week brought great awareness to the marque. Emotionally, experiencing these expedition Land Rovers captured me. As we go to press, there’s no specifics on other US viewing opportunities, but last year’s Royal Rovers made guest appearances in the states after Pebble Beach – here’s hoping that the same will happen this year.
Derek Chartier, Hooksett, NH and Dave MacAllen, Loudon, NH, had been friends since childhood, but it took Dave years to convince Derek that he must enter the Land Rover community. Coincidentally, last May, a seasonal family on this island had asked me to help find a home for their unused ’00 Discovery II. At 155,000 miles, it had just received long-deferred professional maintenance to earn its inspection sticker. When I came across Derek’s social media post searching for a reasonably-priced Land Rover, I suggested he speak with the owner.
The deal went through and I met Derek and Dave on a Saturday in June at a storage building in Rockland, ME. The Discovery ran fine, but they had decided to trailer it back home to New Hampshire. This being Maine, the building owner, whom I had just met for the first time, gave me the security code to open and lock up his facility. This being northern New England, Derek and Dave had grown up with Rockland enthusiast Michael Mullins, who shared his remarkable Land Rover collection (‘70’s Range Rover two-door, Range Rover fire engine and more) with us before we returned to our respective hometowns.
Recently I called Derek to inquire about his purchase. He exclaimed, “I love this Land Rover!” Artisan Autoworks in Manchester, NH, had cured a misfire with a new coil and tightened up the ride with new shocks. “I’ve been using at as a daily driver for work and really enjoy driving it. My low range works perfectly, and I’ll be heading off this weekend for my first off-roading with DORC, the Defenders Off Road Club of New Hampshire. Ned Crystal will be leading and training our small convoy in Vermont.” I predict Derek will be amazed at the capabilities of his stock Discovery II.
However, every time I see the previous owner on the island, his frowns confirm his significant case of Seller’s Remorse.