What its like to drive a "new" '87 110 five door with less than 10,000 miles

[havens51]

I've experienced a number of low mileage Rovers from Series to D90s. This one is the most fun. It averaged 6 miles a week for 30 years, was garage kept and pampered. A log was kept as to who drove it, when, mileage, and purpose of the outing. All this, because it was a northern Italian fire tender vehicle.

I applied some additions since ownership; Winch bumper, winch, lights, radio, Tuffy box, fireball ignition system, rear camera, shocks and springs, SS bolt kit, and two inch extensions, Besides running smooth and quiet (it does 90 mph on a flat road) one can savor the supple rubber fixings through out. (A sure sign of a Rover nut?)

Sometimes it is the little things. The way the doors close, the original matts, the "new" smell of the interior, original stickers and labels in place, the engine compartment is like new.

Before this truck I wasn't keen on a red Landy. I have to say this Venetian Red has really grown on me. I think it looks great.

I consider myself lucky to be able to appreciate this nice example of a county station wagon.

It was imported by Olivier at Oliver's Classics in the Netherlands. Apparently he has good connections with fire companies through out Europe.

 

[havens51]

A few more photos

 

[broncoduecer]

Very impressive! Pretty amazing

 

[MountainD]

Sweet ride.

 

[acheck]

i cant say i agree with the accessories on such an original survivor but to each his own i suppose. the underlying truck is incredible.

 

[havens51]

i cant say i agree with the accessories on such an original survivor but to each his own i suppose. the underlying truck is incredible.

I understand where you are coming from as I have always considered myself somewhat of a preservationist. I did have a moment of recogning recently. I travelled about 45 minutes to see the Series 1 "Oxford" truck that is waiting to continue the North American leg of its 7 Continent journey.

The current caretaker is one of the largest Landy collectors, ever. Series ! through NAS D90 to new Discovery. I was particuarly impressed with his forward control. I had never seen one in person.
He was kind enough to give me an outdoor tour of most of his trucks. As my visit was winding down he said something that stayed with me. Now keep in mind he is one of the all time top enthusiasts. (He has a twenty acre tract with numerous off roading trails).
He said that he loves to tailor his trucks the way he wants them to be. Including engine swaps accessories, etc., etc. He has a clear conscience because " these trucks were accessorized and altered from the start during their entire history".

I think we all still cringe at some of the outlandish "restorations" we have seen. For instance most of the candidates in "Rovers that Suck" on the other forum. I guess it comes down to personal taste and integrity. I don't think any alterations I have done are irreversible nor do they confound the integrity of the truck.

I respect you as a purist and I would appreciate your thoughts on my 1966 109 5 door. The 109 was sent from the factory to Rosenbauer to be converted to a fire tender. The exterior was repainted and fire equipment accessories added. viz. blue lights on top, Bosch sirens and spotlight tower, etc. The original pastel green interior was left pretty much untouched.

I got the truck with 12,000 miles on the clock. Original elephant hide all in place. After a year or two I had the exterior repainted back to the original pastel green. It was then, almost a new truck. One of my car enthusiast friends (Triumph TR3 and Jag XKE) was unhappy and thought I should have left it as is.

 

[havens51]

Here is the famous Oxford truck from a few weeks ago.

 

[havens51]

The 110 when it was in Italy.

 

[1of40]

I've experienced a number of low mileage Rovers from Series to D90s. This one is the most fun. It averaged 6 miles a week for 30 years, was garage kept and pampered. A log was kept as to who drove it, when, mileage, and purpose of the outing. All this, because it was a northern Italian fire tender vehicle.

I applied some additions since ownership; Winch bumper, winch, lights, radio, Tuffy box, fireball ignition system, rear camera, shocks and springs, and two inch extensions, Besides running smooth and quiet (it does 90 mph on a flat road) one can savor the supple rubber fixings through out. (A sure sign of a Rover nut?)

Sometimes it is the little things. The way the doors close, the original matts, the "new" smell of the interior, original stickers and labels in place, the engine compartment is like new.

Before this truck I wasn't keen on a red Landy. I have to say this Venetian Red has really grown on me. I think it looks great.

I consider myself lucky to be able to appreciate this nice example of a county station wagon.

It was imported by Olivier at Oliver's Classics in the Netherlands. Apparently he has good connections with fire companies through out Europe.

What a find. My 110 came over with about 60k original miles and I agree the solid feel of doors closing the right way and unmolested nature, even down to original floor mats is what makes a difference for me as well. Things are only original once as they say sometimes.

 

[RDavisinVA]

Looks good.
We had a 1983 110 that was in the Swiss Feuerwehr that drove like it was brand new.
Surely you mean 90 KPH and not MPH.

 

[havens51]

What a find. My 110 came over with about 60k original miles and I agree the solid feel of doors closing the right way and unmolested nature, even down to original floor mats is what makes a difference for me as well. Things are only original once as they say sometimes.

What a find. My 110 came over with about 60k original miles and I agree the solid feel of doors closing the right way and unmolested nature, even down to original floor mats is what makes a difference for me as well. Things are only original once as they say sometimes.

You are so lucky. Hey, at 60k miles she's still a baby. I actually like the ca. '84-85 trucks with the galvy trim more than the later '80s models like mine. Good for you. That's a great looking truck.

 

[havens51]

Looks good.
We had a 1983 110 that was in the Swiss Feuerwehr that drove like it was brand new.
Surely you mean 90 KPH and not MPH.

90 MPH, I'll try to find a photo of the speedometer. They were originally rated at 90 mph top speed

 

[havens51]

What a find. My 110 came over with about 60k original miles and I agree the solid feel of doors closing the right way and unmolested nature, even down to original floor mats is what makes a difference for me as well. Things are only original once as they say sometimes.

It looks like you have a parking ticket in the first photo.

 

[havens51]

90 MPH, I'll try to find a photo of the speedometer. They were originally rated at 90 mph top speed

This is 142 kph=88 mph . She had more to give. this was not pedal to the floor. this was also prior to the fireball ignition install.

 

[jymmiejamz]

He said that he loves to tailor his trucks the way he wants them to be. Including engine swaps accessories, etc., etc. He has a clear conscience because " these trucks were accessorized and altered from the start during their entire history".

The problem with this is that most people have bad taste and most modifications make the truck worse.

 

[1of40]

It looks like you have a parking ticket in the first photo.

Ha! Good Catch. I don’t remember what that was.

 

[mgreenspan]

Ha! Good Catch. I don’t remember what that was.

It looks like the sticker that I had on one of my vehicles after it shipped over. Granted that was the government’s shipping. Was that a brand new arrival picture?

 

[1of40]

It looks like the sticker that I had on one of my vehicles after it shipped over. Granted that was the government’s shipping. Was that a brand new arrival picture?

Hmmm, I can’t totally rule that out bc that could be. The pic I think was a year or so after import though.

 

[havens51]

How difficult was it to remove the door tops as in your first photo ? Would you ever consider removing the hard top and making her into a beach cruiser, at least temporarily ?