[Boatanchors] Partially Off Topic Questionþ

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 7:40 PM, <WA5CAB at cs.com> wrote:

> Well, actually the ones from the positive ground period were Series I, II,
> and early Series IIA.  The Defender came out in 1983/84 with the
> introduction of the One Ten and then the Ninety.  I've never read an
> explanation
> (believable) as to why they called these Defenders instead of Series IV.


I had heard that it was to appeal more to markets like the US that were more
'name oriented' vs European countries that used numbers & letters on most of
their vehicles. Also heard that it had to do with the legacy of Land Rover's
role throughout the world. Who knows! I had two 88s, a Series IIA and a
Series III that ended up in tiger stripes (zebras were old hat). One of the
best vehicles ever as far as reliability and simplicity/ease of maintenance.
Both had excellent bodies but suffered from the usual frame rot. Used a 2m
CB in the Series III with a magmount stuck to a toolbox cover in the back
bed. Solid state gear didn't hold up well to the pounding and exposure,
though.  Would've been fun to run a GRC-19 or some original Brit BA mil gear
in it, but the YL of the day won out instead with her 'more civilized ride'
argument. C'est la guerre!

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4