I’ve owned quite a lot of cars and I can honestly saying the 1982 Land Rover I used as a daily driver for over a year had the biggest ‘grin’ factor by far.
It was slow, uncomfortable and noisy. The steering was vaguer than the the tonka truck I had as a kid and the gearbox felt like stirring soup. No one else could drive the beast apart from me, as each gear had to be ‘nicked’ into position. If you didn’t know where the nick was, it was, well – undriveable. A sort of basic number locking pin code. The play in the steering wheel was laughable and a constant source of amusement for any passengers as I tossed the wheel from side to side with no noticeable affect on the actual direction of the vehicle.
The dashboard was surprisingly functional. It had a giant cubby hole for storing all sorts of useless items and old dog leads plus two flaps which served as air conditioning. Add in the hazard and main light switch (think Messerschmitt) and you’ve got what compromised a dashboard in 1982 agricultural Britain. There is no CD or tape player, which is just as well, because you wouldn’t hear anything over the immense roar of the engine. The windows at the front are sliding, meaning you can rest your elbow on the ledge to create the perfect driving position. In way of information you got a speedometer which goes up to 60mph and two lights to indicate whether the main or dipped beam is on.
The model I had was an 88′ SWB, meaning no seats in the back, unless you count side facing benches, which are probably more dangerous than strapping your passengers to the bonnet. The side opening rear door and bare metal rear compartment was perfect for chucking anything in, since it was indestructable and covered in scratches already. It could easily sit up to four burly men, or a years worth of old crap. In the way of maintenances watch out for oil leaks and piston ring deterioration which can cause smoky startups. I replaced the alternator once, after a few cold starting problems, and the rear crossmember needed some welding for an MOT. It never broke down and boy did I abuse it. Beaches, rivers, pavements..this baby kept on going.
The style of the Series 3 and indeed its sucessor, the Defender, is iconic. Everyone knows what a Land Rover looks like. Poor people drive them and rich people drive them too. It simply gives nothing away and is the perfect example of an ageless classic. The design has changed little in 50 years but Land Rover are scheduled to end Defender production in 2012. It will certainly be the end of an era.
Today I have the chance to relive the past and pilot a 1981 diesel model, bought recently by a work colleague. The exterior is tidy, considering these vehicles are now over 25 years old and the interior is the same as every old Land Rover – damp, cold and run down.
But onto the driving experience, which I liken to navigating a giant steel boat permanently stuck in turbulent seas. A flick of the key and the 2.5ltr naturally aspirated diesel monster springs into life. Even at idle, it’s noisier than most modern cars at 70mph. We surge down the road as the 65bhp engine feels faster than it actually is. This is probably because of the boneshaking ride provided by the hopelessly inadequate yet indestructible leaf sprung suspension. Utilitarian is the word. The engine pootles nicely round town and can still keep up with modern traffic (roads weren’t so clogged up 30 years ago). The dreaded drumbrake fade is still evident but they do the job, as you never really have time to pick up enough speed to get yourself into trouble. If you’re worried about fuel economy, don’t buy one of these. You could run a small African country on the same budget. Realistically, estimate and plan for between 18 and 22 mpg. Fuel consumption at top end speeds is diabolical; these two ton monsters weren’t exactly designed for motorway cruising.
There is no denying the fun factor is still there though, judging by the number of waves we receive on our short journey. I’m grinning by the time it’s all over and although I couldn’t live with one as a daily driver these days, it’s still so very tempting as a second car. A very good example with lots of history can be picked up for around 1500 pounds. Listen to your head and you won’t be buying one of these anytime soon. But listen to your heart and you’ll be driving one to work tomorrow.
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