letters to the editor

BEHIND THESTEERING WHEEL
By Jeffrey B. Aronson
The QE I, my ’66 Series IIA 88” SW, never felt
smoother or quieter. No wonder I was so
pleased with the tune-up I gave the car.
Admittedly, this moment occurred while the
Rover stood stationary on the deck of the
ferry, in calm seas. Still, the quietude gave me
the time to ponder my Land Rover world.
“As Maine goes, so goes the nation,” is a
political myth that we trumpet every election
season. Right now, gas at my island town’s
one pump, courtesy of the local fishermen’s
co-op, costs a breathtaking $4.27 a gallon.
The rest of the nation seems to be in a
lockstep to keep up with us, although I
believe that California might be ahead at this
time. By 1966 standards, my IIA produced
excellent gas mileage at 18 mpg; it’s still pretty
good for a 4-wheel drive vehicle today. That
doesn’t make it cheap, though. Trips I knew I
could make as long as I had a $20 bill in my
pocket now require a $50 bill instead. Ask me
whose face is on a $50 bill – I have no idea,
I don’t see enough of them to remember.
Those tricks for incrementally better
mileage that you always read about in the
British Land Rover magazines suddenly don’t
seem so ridiculous. Whereas I once prided
myself in cruising our one interstate at the
speed limit, that seems less important now. At
a stoplight, people behind me should now
plan on it taking a little longer for the line
to get up to speed; I’m not accelerating any
faster. “Full throttle” will be reserved
for emergencies only. When performed in
nice weather, tune-ups are actually fun
to complete.
Whether you own a Series Land Rover, a
Range Rover Classic or P-38A, or a Discovery
I or II, it’s likely paid for or will soon be off
payments. This is a great thing right now as
auto loan foreclosures are increasing. Buyers
seduced by the new car smell and idolatry
find themselves behind the 8-ball when they
want to unload their cars; too often, they owe
more in payments than the sale or trade in
value of the car. We won’t even wonder how
you are supposed to repair or maintain a new
car that requires computer diagnostics when
your tool box consists of a socket set and a
screwdriver. Anyone seen the hourly rate at a
dealership recently?
In 6th grade, our teacher administered
an aptitude test that would help determine
our academic life and likely career choices.
He reviewed the results with each of us; when
it came to my turn, he said, “Jeffrey, I don’t
even know how you can turn a doorknob.”
You know those unfolded boxes that evaluate
spatial relationships? Well, I could never
guess which folded-up one was the correct
answer. He advised me, strongly, never to rely
on my mechanical abilities – I would develop
none.
Some of my repair and maintenance
experiences would verify the results of this
6th grade test but for the most part, I’ve
overcome this shortcoming with a lot of
practice, a lot of assistance and a great deal of
humor and patience. I am fully aware that if I
can maintain a Land Rover, anyone can. Buy
your Land Rover once and you can keep it for
a long, long time.
Regardless of the increasing costs, I’ll
continue to use and enjoy my Land Rovers.
I need them for work and every trip, although
shorter than before, will be a delight
precisely because I’m in the Rover. The
sounds, smells and tactile experiences
received at the helm of a Land Rover still
bring me - and every Rover enthusiast -
enormous pleasure.
_______ ________
Here’s an auto etiquette report. Traveling
about 120 miles to lead a program at a rural
library I passed a Range Rover Classic coming
the other way. I flashed my headlights and he
responded the same. Later, I saw an LR 3
coming at me. I waved out the window and
the owner returned the wave. The manners of
the marque are still strong.
_______ ________
The New York Times noted that members of
US House of Representatives can get taxpayers
to purchase, lease and operate a car for them
– and it’s legal. Judging from the lease
payment amounts listed in the article,
apparently there’s no cap on how big a lease
you can take out. “Buy American” doesn’t
seem to apply, either, although it’s
undoubtedly politically expedient.
If you’re a Land Rover enthusiast who
would like a new Land Rover, this might be a
great time to consider a bid for a seat in the
House of Representatives in your state. Sure,
you have to spend time in Washington, DC,
but there are a lot of Land Rover enthusiasts
to help you break the tedium of hearings on
arcane legislation. Why attend staged events
with people who don’t really like you when
you can join the fascinating people who are
Land Rover enthusiasts for a convivial
evening?
It might be a bit late to launch a bid for
2008 but talk to your local Land Rover dealer
now in anticipation of the 2010 and 2012
elections. Line up the Rover you want now; we
can’t wait to pay for the perk!
_______ ________
Perhaps the Royal Family receives copies of
The Rovers North News and saw photos of my
other ’66 IIA, the QM I, in the magazine; it
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