h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Having had a '71 Series 2a (109") and a '73 six cylinder I have noticed the whole waving thing - people driving Land Rovers invariably wave at each other...which is odd since they don't have power steering and taking your hands off the steering wheel is an extremely bad idea.

Add the following to the buyers guide - check the chassis for rust...its the only major part that rusts and since the owners treat Land Rovers very badly expect a huge repair job here for anything pre-1980. Both of mine went this way...but I'm not a competent welder and could have saved them otherwise.

On the plus side is insurance. As an 18 year old living in Brum I insured mine for about £200 _fully comprehensive_ ..and am told it's not gone up much since. ( About 10 years ago)

Also it was completely impossible to lock. But even the Brum scallies had the sense not to touch it. Unique among affection-inspiring vehicles, LR's don't attract thieves.

..I don't think the GT6 was of much interest to thieves either - possibly because it would be difficult to sell on.
Whilst car thieves are not renowned for their smarts - I do think trying to hot-wire a Land Rover would be beyond stupid...the battery was and extrodinarily large and powerful one and the entire cab is metal and therefore current conducting.
On the down side of LR ownership - I'm told that its not a good idea to take a green or grey one to the North...they get mistaken for military vehicles.

That can also happen in central England if you drive past an army barracks at night

We just torch them instead.
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Jaz

scallies - Liverpool ONLY.

Dear Wandrin,

just read your note, I have just bought a '97 disco and I am new to this waving business, but I think it is a good idea. I have noticed a few other LD drivers giving a genteel nod as you pass, and I am quite happy to hold traffic up for hours to let a fellow LD out of a side road.

But then again, as I live in Cheshire, there are loads of them.

Hooch. PS, mine is Ballmoral Green, but noone has mixed me up with the queen yet!

I've never owned a disco, but I was told the reason they were called the discovery is that every time you drive one you "discover" another bit of plastic that has fallen off . That said, in the Camel trophy they have consistently outperformed the 90s, so thats one in the eye for us "hand painted is best" old fogies.