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4th
Annual
All-Metal
Dash
Rover
Meet
Story & Photos by: Don Flye
PETERSHAM, MA, September 22-23 - The weather was ideal
for the 4th Annual ALL-Metal Dash Rover Meet weekend in
Petersham. Many showed up Friday afternoon from as far away
as Michigan.
A large number vendors did well with their used parts,
too. George Maattala brought in a 109” with a six-cylinder
Chevrolet engine for sale plus a truckload of parts. Garrett
Bourgue came in with a 109” lengthened to 140” (wheelbase)
with a Ford drivetrain, loaded with Land Rover parts.
On Saturday morning, the first tech session was by Les
Parker of Rovers North on the electrical system of the Series
Land Rovers, followed by Alan Richer on overhauling the
windshield wiper motor units. These units are loaded with
small springs, washers and other small parts that have to go
in exactly to the right place with special grease that cost
$150.00 a tube.
The third session was by Tom Bache on solid button head
aluminum rivets. These were hammered in with an air gun
tooled with special mandrel, which conforms to the rivet head.
Late in the afternoon, an adventurous Mike Flye led a
group of Rovers green laning (off-roading). His first attempt
had a gate across at the far end. This could have been easily
bypassed, except Garrett’s 140” was not designed for sharp
maneuvers. Upon returning to the start, another route was
selected. This, once again, was very good for some distance
until they approached a very low place that the beavers had
flooded. Due to the Land Rovers not being equipped
with snorkels or drivers’ courage, they again returned to
the highway.
Mike, still determined to green lane to a restaurant, led a
third attempt. This one got them through, but after dark.
The remainder of the evening was spent back at the site around
a campfire.
On Sunday there was a short breakfast run, then back for
more socializing and trading of parts.
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