July 2025 Edition
This month David Cook tells us about his introduction to Land Rover Life, and it didn’t start too well as he recalls.
“Just a few lines about when your love of land Rovers began and about the ones you’ve had or have” was my brief……
Good Question – When did it actually start? My 1st Land Rover experience, apart from seeing them around East Yorkshire, was whilst in the Royal Navy Cadets, where I was a volunteer from the age of 12. I was aged 16 and we had been asked if any cadets were willing to volunteer to assist the local T.A. regiments by acting as casualties in an exercise starting one Friday evening in November, running through the night till Saturday afternoon. Those who were volunteered arrived at the HQ in Combat Uniform and armed to the teeth with soup, sausage rolls and bags of monster munch’s. Our transport duly arrives in the form of what I now know where Land Rover 110’s. Myself and 7 other cadets jumped in the back and off we went in to the dark into the farm lands of Holderness. It was bloody freezing, and we were in this bone shaker covered with a tent! Not even a proper roof! Apparently, the heater was already on as one of my mates discovered when he asked the driver, who also requested that my pal should also stop complaining and go away or words to that effect.
Every bump and hole in the road seemed to be amplified x 10 compared to my dad’s Mk 4 Cortina, and I soon found there was a metal bar that held the tent up or rather my head did at every bump.
It was pitch black and although the lights were awful, that didn’t seem to stop Sgt Potty mouth from driving these country roads like he was Colin McRae, or that’s how it felt in the back. Most of us where now in different seats from when we started and soon discovered the art of wedging ones-self into the “seat” along with holding on to any substantial handle thingy, you could find. And then it started snowing, snowing a lot.
This didn’t worry Sgt Potty mouth one bit – oh no – he loved it cheering and whooping as he started sliding round corners. I closed my eyes and wedged in even more. And then we stopped in a controlled manor and asked to get out and pretend to be dead or dying.
We all looked like that any way and my flask had come a cropper. So that was the 1st real introduction to Land Rovers. Not good so far.
Below – David’s collect as it looked back in 2014. Only the Series 2a is still in current collection.
The 2nd came along some 22 years later. And that one wasn’t great. It involved beating for a local shoot with the other main hobby, working Labrador’s. it also involved rain, mud, dead bods (local reference – google it) lots of stinking wet Spaniels and a 110 Land Rover hardtop complete with head bangy thingy. Again, not great!!
But during that season I came to be more and more amazed by these stinking loud uncomfortable machines. I needed to drive one then once I did, I had to have one.
The opportunity arose at work. I was allowed to choose a new company vehicle, van or car it was up to me. Id seen that there was lot off commercial land rovers at that time, 90, 110,130, Discovery 2 and Freelander’s. No chance of a Disco but a Freelander quite possibly. Quick call to the MD and yeah why not. Get in. A few weeks later he called me to say to come into head office this day and collect your new motor. “A Freelander?” I asked. “Oh, didn’t I tell you he replied cost to lease is ok but the maintenance on them was horrendous, so I’ve got a similar vehicle, a Nissan Terrano II
Oh, the disappointment. However, to be fair it was my 1st 4×4 and it was great to be fair.
Left – David is not afraid to get his Land Rovers dirty, as his newly acquired Discovery 4 commercial soon found out!
From then on it was 4x4s thereafter so far. A Ford Ranger next which was reasonable, before I hit the jackpot. I asked for a Discovery 3 Commercial, as I knew of a dealer that had several in surplus stock as the D4 had just come out. So, these were available and cheaper than they were. But my new MD couldn’t make a decision quickly, so every time he agreed, the one id chosen had gone. I then get a call, right I’ve spoken to my mate at Stockton and were getting you a Discovery 4 Commercial XS. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Just give him a call and let him know what colour and any extras you need, and he’ll place the order.
My 10 plate Galway Green D4 arrived brand spanking new a few months later soon followed by a Freelander 1 HSE as the family car. The Land Rover owning slope was steep and quiet slippery.
They changed 3 years or so later to a Firenze Red SDV6 MY 14 D4 HSE commercial and a Freelander 2 HSE Also at that time I began wanting a project and found locally my 1968 Series IIa 88” Station Wagon in Limestone which I still own.
Unfortunately, at work in 2017 a minor blip occurred when, in the absence of any commercial Land Rovers, I got a BMW X5 hybrid. Most unreliable car i’ve had the misfortune of having. Thankfully the D5 commercial came out and in 2019 got a HSE spec in Corris grey. At home the Freelander 2 was change for a New Discovery Sport.
2023 saw a new White D5 HSE dynamic commercial come to me. Sadly, I had to hand her back when I changed jobs after 18 years and to one that didn’t come with any company vehicle. I had to buy one! And pay for fuel!!! So, I had to be sensible and consider fuel economy insurance etc. etc.
So after all that thinking of what to get, I now have the exact opposite of what probably should be in that spot out front. I bought a Range Rover L405 Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 in Corris grey. And so it goes on…..
Above – When the company Discovery went, David chose this Range Rover as his daily, despite now having to pay all the running costs himself!
Whilst growing up, my fascination with Land Rovers was less of a hobby and more of a heartfelt obsession. There was something captivating about their rugged design, their history steeped in adventure, and their undeniable presence on and off the road. Land Rovers symbolised resilience, exploration, and an unyielding connection to the natural world. For me, they were not just vehicles; they were companions in the pursuit of freedom and discovery.
The spark was ignited during my childhood, watching documentaries where Land Rovers traversed the untamed wilderness, conquering terrains that seemed impossible to navigate. Their distinctive silhouette—boxy yet charming—became an emblem of reliability and grit. Every scratch and dent on those vehicles told a story, each one a testament to the journeys they had endured.
As I grew older, my admiration for Land Rovers evolved into a dream of owning one. I delved deeper into their legacy, studying their designs and understanding the engineering that made them unique. The Defender and Discovery models, in particular, captured my imagination with their blend of sturdiness and sophistication. They felt like the ultimate tools for adventure, capable of handling the wildest paths and still looking iconic parked in a driveway.
When the moment finally came to choose my own car, I knew it had to reflect this lifelong affection for Land Rovers. While practicality and budget steered the decision, the essence of what I loved about these vehicles remained central to my choice. My current Range Rover, carries the spirit of what I admire most — durability, versatility, and a design that nods to the rugged charm of Land Rovers. It serves as both a reliable partner for daily life and a reminder of the adventures I aspire to embark upon.
This journey—starting from a deep-seated love for Land Rovers to owning a car that echoes their essence—feels like a full circle moment. It’s a testament to how a passion can shape not just our preferences but also the choices we make in life. To this day, every time I sit behind the wheel, I am reminded of that dream and the legacy that inspired it.